Pepe (1960)
A beloved Mexican ranch hand chases his white stallion all the way to Hollywood, stumbling into a galaxy of golden-age celebrities.
Pepe - Movie Information
- Release Year: 1960
- Directed by: George Sidney
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy, Music
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 3h 0m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 21, 1960 (United States - NR), February 27, 1961 (United Kingdom - U), March 24, 1961 (Germany - 12), April 12, 1961 (France - TP), April 26, 1962 (Mexico), April 2, 1961 (Spain)
- Production Companies: POSA Films, Columbia Pictures
- Production Countries: United States of America
Pepe - Plot
Mario "Cantinflas" Moreno is a hired hand, Pepe, employed on a ranch. A boozing Hollywood director buys a white stallion that belongs to Pepe's boss. Pepe, determined to get the horse back (as he considers it his family), decides to take off to Hollywood. There he meets film stars including Jimmy Durante, Frank Sinatra, Zsa Zsa Gabór, Bing Crosby, Maurice Chevalier and Jack Lemmon in drag as Daphne from Some Like It Hot. He is also surprised by things that were new in America at the time, such as automatic swinging doors. When he finally reaches the man who bought the horse, he is led to believe there is no hope of getting it back. However, the last scene shows both him and the stallion back at the ranch with several foals.
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Pepe - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- George Sidney
Main Cast
- Cantinflas
- Dan Dailey
- Shirley Jones
- Carlos Montalbán
- Vicki Trickett
- Matt Mattox
- Hank Henry
- Suzanne Lloyd
- Carlos Rivas
- Maurice Chevalier
Writers
- Dorothy Kingsley
- Leonard Spigelgass
- Sonya Levien
- Claude Binyon
Producers
- George Sidney
Pepe - FAQs
What is Pepe (1960) about?
Pepe follows Cantinflas as a lovable Mexican ranch hand who travels to Hollywood to reclaim a white stallion sold to a hard-drinking film director. Along the way he crosses paths with a dazzling parade of real-life celebrities, including Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Jack Lemmon reprising his role from Some Like It Hot.
Which real celebrities appear in Pepe?
Pepe is packed with cameos from Hollywood royalty. You'll spot Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Maurice Chevalier, Jimmy Durante, Zsa Zsa Gabór, Bobby Darin, Sammy Davis Jr., Richard Conte, and Jack Lemmon reprising Daphne from Some Like It Hot — making it a remarkable time capsule of early-1960s star power.
Why does Jack Lemmon appear in drag in Pepe?
Jack Lemmon shows up as Daphne, the character he played in Billy Wilder's Some Like It Hot (1959). It's a playful in-joke cameo — Cantinflas encounters him still dressed in character, blending the two films' worlds for a comedic wink at audiences who'd seen the earlier classic.
Where can you watch Pepe (1960) online?
You can check current streaming availability for Pepe on JustWatch, which tracks all platforms offering the film in your region — whether for streaming, rental, or purchase. Options can vary depending on your location and change over time.
Who directed and produced Pepe (1960)?
George Sidney both directed and produced Pepe. Sidney was a seasoned Hollywood hand known for big, splashy musicals and comedies, including Anchors Aweigh and Bye Bye Birdie. His flair for spectacle is very much on display in this sprawling, celebrity-stuffed production for Columbia Pictures.
Is Pepe (1960) worth watching today?
For fans of classic Hollywood and Cantinflas, absolutely. The film's real draw is its extraordinary celebrity parade and the charm of Cantinflas himself, whose physical comedy and warmth carry the story. At three hours it's an ambitious watch, but it functions as a fascinating snapshot of early-1960s Hollywood glamour.
Who wrote the screenplay for Pepe?
The screenplay was written by Dorothy Kingsley and Claude Binyon, based on a story by Leonard Spigelgass and Sonya Levien. The script was adapted from the Hungarian play Broadway by Ladislaus Bus-Fekete, reworked to showcase Cantinflas and accommodate the film's sprawling celebrity cameo structure.
Who composed the music for Pepe?
The score for Pepe was composed by Johnny Green and André Previn, two of Hollywood's most accomplished musical talents of the era. Green was a multiple Oscar winner, and Previn was equally celebrated — their collaboration gives the film a lively, polished musical backbone befitting its grand scale.
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