Malaga

Malaga is a 1954 British adventure film directed by Richard Sale and starring Maureen O'Hara, Macdonald Carey and Binnie Barnes. O'Hara appears as a former O.S.S. secret agent and Carey a smuggler. The film takes its title from Málaga in Spain where it was primarily shot on location. It was distributed in Britain by British Lion Films and by Columbia Pictures in America under the alternative title Fire Over Africa. Production Although an international cast of primarily British and German actors was involved, American producer Mitchell "Mike" Frankovich and director Richard Sale crafted a thriller set in the international city of Tangiers. Location shooting took place around Málaga in Andalucía with studio footage shot at Shepperton Studios, London from early November to mid-December 1953. The film's sets were designed by the art directors Vincent Korda and Wilfred Shingleton. During pre-production, Errol Flynn and Indian actress Nimmi were considered for lead roles before casting was completed. While Maureen O'Hara played a James Bond-type spy, her personal life was in turmoil after a messy custody battle following a divorce. Her casting in Malaga was instrumental in winning a court case against the tabloid Confidential. Peter Sellers reportedly dubbed at least six actors in the cast without credit, with one account listing as many as 14 roles being dubbed. One of the cast was Irish-born American actor James O'Hara, Maureen O'Hara's brother. Plot Joanna Dane (Maureen O'Hara) is sent to Tangiers to get information on, and close down, an international smuggling ring. Dane is adept at jiu jitsu, firearms, and wisecracks that she uses on anyone who tangles with her. Her beauty, attractive outfits and skill with playing cards get her a position as a croupier at a smuggler's hangout called Frisco's, run by the hard blonde Frisco (Binnie Barnes). Joanna also is pursued by smuggler Van Logan (MacDonald Carey), who she uses by having him take her to Ali Baba's, a parfumerie run by the suspicious Mustapha (Ferdy Mayne).