A Longa Noite do Enigma

Laurence Harvey as a croupier in Beirut

At the beginning of 1969, the time of the GERMAN ADVENTURE FLICKS was simply over. The long-successful film producer Wolf C. Hartwig tried again with his Rapid-Film with this only moderately successful film. To do this, he teamed up with the Italian producer Alberto Grimaldi, but that didn't save the film, which was shot in London and Beirut.

After his appearance in "Battle for Rome" (1968), the Lithuanian-British world star Laurence Harvey plays an alcoholic croupier who is supposed to pull off the really big thing in a casino in Beirut. Aha!

The rest of the cast is at least interesting: the Swede Ann-Margret can also sing a little song, Ivan Desny and the Argentinian womanizer Alberto de Mendoza exude oily charm. Unfortunately, the UFA silent film star Camilla Horn ("Faust" (1925)) is a total failure; her role as an affected American is simply annoying.

Oh yes, Laurence Harvey (1928-1973), who remains unforgettable thanks to his brilliant performance in ROOM AT THE TOP (1958), is at least dubbed by the great West German film star Erik Schumann (HEAVEN WITHOUT STARS, DARKNESS FELL ON GOTENHAFEN).

Not recommended!

I have just joined this site and am not sure if my contribution is appropriate but after reading Ron Angel's experience I thought I would have a go.

Way back in the late 60s myself and a friend were having a drink in a pub called the Swiss Cottage in North London.Just before closing time a chap shouted out,"Can anyone be at the Playboy Club tomorrow? We are in urgent need of extras." We were told that Laurence Harvey would be there.

Needless to say,John and I turned up on time and were taken through to the casino where several other pub regulars were chatting up a handful of "Bunny Girls." It seemed,and probably was, hours before "Larry" turned up.Apparently he had been waiting for his chauffeur-driven Rolls to arrive (although his hotel was just around the corner) but as we were subsequently told, that's what made him the star he was.

When the cameras finally rolled,Laurence Harvey - who was portraying a drunk- staggered in between the roulette tables,where myself and the other extras where seated.The dialogue was all in Italian so I had no idea of the storyline but the scene ended with a scuffle and Mr Harvey being thrown out of the casino.

This scene was played over and over again and just as I thought they had got it right, Laurence suggested there was not enough atmosphere and lit up and gave out several cigarettes to the extras - the fact that several of us did not smoke was no excuse.I was impressed with the detail that went into every segment of the scene,and realised the dedication and the professionalism that is required at the highest level.

I have never actually seen Rebus and would be very grateful to anyone who could advise me on how to obtain a copy.

Italian-Spanish-West German-Argentinian co-production, also known as "Appointment in Beirut" and never released in the US, stars Laurence Harvey as an alcoholic croupier in London fired for his bad behavior and blacklisted. In desperation, he accepts an offer from a man in the fog to work at a casino club in Lebanon where the local police are out to thwart international criminals working the roulette table. Harvey's help is needed to catch them, but he falls for club performer Ann-Margret, who may be in-cahoots with the leader of the crime ring. Not-uninteresting mishmash caper in Italian and English (most of it dubbed) is intriguing due to its obscurity alone, though the production is better than expected and the star leads (though looking somewhat burned by their lack of better employment in Hollywood) are solid. ** from ****

This is really bad,direction,acting ,plot everything is B grade and Harvey and Ann Margret must have joined this probably as a vacation to cosmopolitan pre civil war Beirut. This was shot on location in Beirut ,and its the only interesting thing about it,actually one feels sad watching this movie that this city called at the time Paris of the East ended up in ruins. The movie is about a bunch of crooks who deal with casinos and mostly takes place in casino settings. Harvey looks rather miserable in this movie and Ann Margret has a small part ,like she just joined this for a quick buck.

This is a typical action movie of the period revolving around a casino employee who is forced to do something wrong. I was In charge of motorcycle parts of film. It was never released in uk I managed to get a copy from production company in germany a few years ago but my german is not that good! (film dubed from english)I actualy appear in film for about 5-10 seconds but you have to be quick & have freeze frame.The london filming was done at the playboy club casino in parklane (no longer in existance)Hyde park,& Flask public house hampstead north london. some of night shots were done on river thames embankment opposite houses of parliment in daylight but with smoke generator to make it look like foggy london. good comedy action thriller.I rember the late Laurwence Harvey as a man who could talk & be with people of all types & backgrounds getting on ok with everybody.a man of the people I like him very much in the short time I knew him.