Happy Cinco de Mayo
Posted: May 5th, 2007, 10:59 am
Happy Cinco de Mayo to all, and, since I can't pour anyone reading this a nice, frosty Margarita to celebrate, would you like to name a favorite movie, Western or otherwise, set, at least in part, in Mexico?
My first choice would probably be director Elia Kazan's Viva Zapata (1952). While it may be a largely fictionalized and sanitized account of the life of Eufernio Zapata, Marlon Brando & Anthony Quinn's performances alone make it worthwhile viewing for me--though I'm also very partial to Joseph Wiseman's acting in this movie. Wish that TCM could've run it as part of the Brando tribute this month.
Runner-up for favorite film set in Mexico for me might just be one of those movies that probably poured salt into the wounds caused by the friction between our two nations: Viva Villa (1934). Starring Wallace Beery as an endearing bandit, the vigorous Pancho Villa, and featuring Leo Carillo in an entertaining performance as his lethal right hand man, it suffers whenever the film focuses on the unfortunately weak characterization of Stu Erwin as a reporter. Of course, as many know, Erwin replaced the gifted Lee Tracy following a wee bit of trouble that the actor caused when "greeting" several Mexican military fellows who were passing below his hotel window. Nevertheless, an interesting and lively antique of a movie.
My first choice would probably be director Elia Kazan's Viva Zapata (1952). While it may be a largely fictionalized and sanitized account of the life of Eufernio Zapata, Marlon Brando & Anthony Quinn's performances alone make it worthwhile viewing for me--though I'm also very partial to Joseph Wiseman's acting in this movie. Wish that TCM could've run it as part of the Brando tribute this month.
Runner-up for favorite film set in Mexico for me might just be one of those movies that probably poured salt into the wounds caused by the friction between our two nations: Viva Villa (1934). Starring Wallace Beery as an endearing bandit, the vigorous Pancho Villa, and featuring Leo Carillo in an entertaining performance as his lethal right hand man, it suffers whenever the film focuses on the unfortunately weak characterization of Stu Erwin as a reporter. Of course, as many know, Erwin replaced the gifted Lee Tracy following a wee bit of trouble that the actor caused when "greeting" several Mexican military fellows who were passing below his hotel window. Nevertheless, an interesting and lively antique of a movie.