Morocco

Morocco (1930) is Josef von Sternberg's melodrama, available to watch online on iFILM. It marks Marlene Dietrich's Hollywood debut — and the film with that famous kiss.

The port of Mogador, late 1920s. Cabaret singer Amy Jolly steps off a ship to perform at a seedy nightclub and draws two men at once. The wealthy, smooth-talking La Bessière offers her protection and a ring. But Amy keeps drifting toward Tom Brown, a Foreign Legionnaire who trades women as casually as he trades postings. Gary Cooper plays him with easy swagger, while Dietrich, in top hat and tails, turns a single nightclub number into a statement.

Von Sternberg shot light like no one else — smoke, shadow and veils carry more than the dialogue does. The film earned Dietrich the only Oscar nomination of her career and put cinematographer Lee Garmes on the map for his play of dark and bright. Its closing walk into the desert remains one of the most reckless gestures of love the early sound era ever filmed. Stream Morocco (1930) online on iFILM.