Salama fi khair

Egyptian cinema iconic actor Estefan Rosti made an appearance in this Rihani masterpiece as an extra among the prince's entourage

"Salama fi khair" is a really fun Egyptian comedy about a lowly bank assistant who temporarily switches places with a foreign prince. Comic hijinks, naturally, ensue. The movie stands out for its lead, Nagib El-Rihani, who is truly a master of quiet exasperation and stifled anger. Husain Reyadh provides charming low-key support as the wise and mirthful prince Kandahar.

Things get off to a somewhat slow start in the humor department, but the initial setup pays off big time in the second half. The movie peaks in a truly hilarious scene where El-Rihani mistakenly reads a speech for orphans to a bunch of high society socialites. I probably missed some of the jokes for cultural reasons, but lovers of 1930s Hollywood comedies will have no trouble appreciating this gem.