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Pepe

Name: Pepe
Director: George Sidney
Released: 1960
Duration: 180 min

Representation Score

2.4/10

Limited

1960

Director

George Sidney

Runtime

180 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Pepe embodies the typical 1960s Hollywood protagonist, prioritizing escapism and conventional storytelling. Although Cantinflas adds a non-Anglo lead, the film's perspective remains rooted in Hollywood traditions. The narrative upholds traditional social hierarchies, with gender roles adhering to conventional norms. While there is a moment of gender performance through drag, it serves as a comedic device rather than a deep exploration of identity.

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Category Breakdown

Does Pepe have LGBTQ+ representation?

Fair

Jack Lemmon performs in drag as Daphne, serving a comedic purpose rather than providing depth or a significant role in driving the story to the character.

How does Pepe portray gender?

Limited

The narrative focuses on the male protagonist, Pepe, while female characters such as Zsa Zsa Gabór mainly serve as objects of desire or support the male lead’s journey.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Pepe?

Limited

The film includes Mexican star Cantinflas, but the story revolves around 'fish out of water' clichés and a predominantly white cast centered on Western celebrity.

How does Pepe represent religion and culture?

Limited

The film highlights mid-century American celebrity culture and the Hollywood studio system, emphasizing traditional social structures and Western escapism.

Does Pepe include disability representation?

Minimal

There are no prominent depictions of visible or invisible disabilities that drive the narrative or provide character's ability to drive the story.

Present on Screen

The casting of Mario 'Cantinflas' Moreno introduces a significant Mexican figure to a Hollywood setting.
Jack Lemmon's performance in drag offers a brief, era-specific disruption of conventional gender norms.

Limited or Absent

Female characters have limited ability to act, often defined by their relationship to the male lead.
The narrative relies on 'fish out of water' clichés that can perpetuate cultural stereotypes.
LGBTQ+ elements are used solely as comedic devices, lacking deeper character exploration.
The film reinforces traditional mid-century gender hierarchies and social structures.

Official Synopsis

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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