Mohamed Touri
Acting
Biography
Mohamed Touri, real name Mohamed Besnassi, Algerian singer and theater man. He was born on November 9, 1914 in the Douirette district of Blida and died on April 29, 1959 in Algiers. Mohamed Touri was born in Blida on November 9, 1914. He learned the Koran and Arabic language at the El Houda school in his hometown, before joining El madrassa El Houra (the Free School) of Association of Algerian Muslim Ulemas in Constantine. He returned to Blida in 1928. Subsequently, he joined the Amel Blida scout theater troupe, founded by Moussa Khedioui, as well as the El Hayat association troupe, directed by the master of Arab-Andalusian music Mohieddine Lekhal. It was there that he met many famous artists, including Dahmane Ben Achour and Ben Kerkoura. In 1947, he joined the Algiers Opera, including the Arabic section which was directed by Mahieddine Bachtarzi. In 1956, he was arrested by French authorities for his national principles and contacts with artists linked to the leaders of the Algerian national movement. He died at Serkadji Prison on April 29, 1959. The deceased left for posterity a rich list of achievements, including films and comic songs. The Blida theater, in Algeria, bears his name.
Known For
This musical comedy produced in 1953 for the General Government of Algeria, features the comic trio composed of Rouiched, Mohamed Touri and Sid Ali Fernandel, accompanied by the orchestra of the master of the Algiers Chaâbi El Hadj M'hamed El Anka, the singer Fadhéla Dziria, Mustapha Skandrani on the piano. Some scenes were filmed at the Summer Palace (the current Palace of the Algerian Presidency, called the People's Palace). André Zwobada, the director, will play an important role after the independence of Algeria in 1962, in the production and preservation of the first Algerian newsreels.
The Unexpected Party
A young doctor is hired, with a friend, to work for an old miser whose garden contains a treasure. In love with the old man's daughter, the doctor wants to prevent her from marrying the old man who is promised to her. To do this, he must be rich and he must absolutely find the treasure.
My Treasure
Marouf, the cobbler, lives in Isfahan. He marries an awful woman so he decides to escape. When his ship is wrecked by a storm, he finds himself on an island whose inhabitants welcome him. He becomes a famous merchant and brings trade to the island, which makes Prince Hassan jealous.
Marouf the Cobbler
Adaptation of an Arabian Nights Story: The adventures of a Cairo cobbler who leaves his wife after she has had him arrested for buying her the wrong kind of vermicelli and honey cake.