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MEHGSTAR
Reviews
On an Island with You (1948)
A footnote to the film
A mediocre but fun film! But for us in Tampa ..and especially Ybor City...what we remember most was that Williams, Lawford and Montalban came to the famous Columbia Restaurant to eat during the filming of this movie. It was not a far away tropical island. It was filmed in one of Florida's most famous pre-Disney attractions..Cypress Gardens and provided locals with a great taste of Hollywood. Montalban, as usual was his handsome Latin lover persona and gave a wonderful excuse for Charisse to dance with him. Durante was....well, Durante. And poor Peter Lawford was so British. Nonetheless, it made for a good afternoon or evening at the movies. No villains, no messages, no problems. Enjoy!
Fiesta (1947)
What a Fiesta!
When "Fiesta" played in Tampa, more local Latinos went to see Montalban than the film or anyone else in it! This was because Montalban was a well known star from the many Mexican movies that played locally.
However, in Mexico he was a serious actor while in Hollywood he was a "latin lover". In his first years more time was spent making him into a musical star than giving him time to display his acting talent.(He had to loose his hair to be taken seriously!) The movie was a vehicle for Esther Williams sans swimming pool (except for one brief scene) but it was Montalban and Cherrise's dancing that made it a hit. This was odd because Montalban was never in musicals in his native country. He sang -well he carried a tune- but actually danced quite well in order to creditably partner Cherrise and later on Anne Miller.
The one dramatic scene -in which Montalban who wants to be a composer and not follow his father's footsteps in the arena - that shows off Montalban's acting. He is in a wayside saloon and on the radio he hears his composition...actually Aaron Copelands "Fantasia Mexicna"..and goes to a piano and interprets with passion, vigor and sensitivity his composition.
An entertaining film and a great vehicle to feature Montalban. Too bad that his early cinematic years did not allow him to display his serious acting ability. Oh well, "That's Hollywood"...Ay Caramba!
La fuga (1944)
interesting film
Montalban plays a French or at least an Imperial officer in this film which tells several stories as a band of pro-Maximillian supporters are leaving Mexico as Juarez' troops approach.
One of the interesting footnotes to this film is that Sally Blain, sister of Loretta Young and of Georgina Young appears in it. She was soon to be Montalban's sister in law when the young Mexican actor married Georgina.
Montalban was dashing and handsome but his character was very one dimensional.
It was one of the rare Mexican movies that was semi-sympathetic to Emperor Maxmillian.
La casa de la zorra (1945)
Another excellent Montalban film
La Casa de la Zorra (the She-Wolf's House) was an interesting film about a mother who runs a gambling establishment in Mexico unbeknown to her son (Montalban) whom she is sending to the University for a prestigious career.
As the film develops and he is taken to the house he realizes that his mother has been leading a "double life". The conflicts are resolved -not without melodramatic moments.
Virigina Fabregas and her son appear in this film. She was always called "Dona" Virginia Fabregas in Mexican art circles since her career began in theatre and went on into films. Her son, Manuel, also appears in the film. A handsome young man he never realized his potential on film but went on to star in Spanish language versions of Broadway musicals in Mexico - notably, "Mi Bella Dama".
Montalban had some good scenes in the movie and of course was a handsome protagonist.
Pepita Jiménez (1946)
Too bad this movie does not exist today as it would be a great aide in teaching 19th century Spanish literature
I saw this film as a child at a theater in Tampa that specialized in Spanish language films.
The story is based on a classic 19th century Spanish novel by the same name by Juan Valera in which a young seminarian spends time in his deceased uncle's estate and falls in love with the young, charming widow, Pepita Jimenez.
The movie offered many comic/serious episodes as the young man deals with his emotions to Pepita and his commitment to the Church. Without any malice or overt sexuality the bonding of these two characters materializes and the young man abandons his religious vocation for marriage to the young and beautiful Pepita.
Many of the supporting artists were consummate actors among them Julio Villareal, Consuelo Guerrero de Luna and Fortuno Bonanova who later made a career in Hollywood and acted opposite Montalban in "Fiesta".
The movie was an excellent production which I still recall after many decades and showcased the versatility of Montalban in both serious and comic episodes.
Nosotros (1945)
good entertaining film..but definitely a 3 hankie film
I remember this movie more for the theme song than for the actual plot and I agree with the previous poster that it was a tear jerker.
Montalban was his usual handsome, virile star crossed lover and his co-star Emilia Guiu was equally charming.
Most of the audience in Tampa enjoyed the film but were disappointed that it was not a bio-pic of Pedro Junco who wrote the plaintiff bolero which was the theme of the movie. Jundo, a Cuban composer, wrote the song "Nosotros" to his girlfriend stating that although he loved her very much and from the beginning, he had to say goodbye. The reason was that he had tuberculosis - a fatal illness at the time. While he was dying in the hospital his song was aired on the Radio.
This probably would have a been a far better plot!