Film Festival: Latin Flavor In You Were Never Lovelier (1942), Rita Hayworth plays a Buenos Aires princess in the style of “Taming of the Shrew.” Margarita Cansino was a dark-haired beauty who first was noticed as her father Eduardo’s ballroom dance partner. In her late teens she made a few movie appearances (Charlie Chan in Egypt). Then…
Latin music
Lisa’s Home Bijou: Springtime in the Rockies
Film Festival: Latin Flavor Carmen Miranda’s vivaciousness and unique style are showcased in the 1942 film, Springtime in the Rockies. Portuguese by birth, Carmen Miranda emigrated to Brazil with her family as a youngster. As a teen she began working as a milliner and sang a bit on the radio. Although Carmen never grew past…
Lisa’s Home Bijou: Too Many Girls
Film Festival: Latin Flavor Too Many Girls (1940) stars DESI ARNAZ, who became a Mambo King in New York after emigrating from Cuba. He was mentored by Xavier Cugat, then toured the country with his own band, bringing the conga drum and ritmo latino to mainstream America. George Abbott, the Broadway producer, liked his style…
Lisa’s Home Bijou: Holiday in Mexico with Xavier Cugat
Film Festival: Latin Flavor Holiday in Mexico (1946) gives us insight into teenagers of the 1940s, the diplomatic corps, and into Mexico City’s nightlife. Christine Evans (Jane Powell) is a bobby-soxer, US Ambassador Jeffrey Evans (Walter Pidgeon) is a diplomat (and Christine’s father), and Xavier Cugat, playing himself, is our guide to the bright lights…