User Reviews

Some good dancing sequences doesn't make up for the fact that this is perhaps the most outrageous attempt at tying together a relationship between the United States and Latin American countries south of our border that started in the early 1940's with all those colorful 20th Century Fox musicals featuring Carmen Miranda. At least Ms. Miranda was of Pourtugese blood so she could be considered Latina, but a very Caucasian cast here attempting to seem Cuban is about as likely as Lucy Ricardo being as Cuban as her husband, Ricky Ricardo. Tommy Wonder is a Cuban sailor (which gives you the first clue to its ineptness) who takes a liking to equally not so non-Cuban looking Doris Dowling (who looks more Greek than Hispanic) who goes out with him but pretty much dumps him for the wealthy club owner (Michael Whalen) who is threatened by Wonder's continued presence and plots to bring him down. If the blatant miscasting doesn't frustrate you, how about the stereotypical presentation of the writer's view of Hispanic pastimes including rooster fighting and horse racing. These characteristics of the film's structure make it almost offensive in a sense with a huge question of "What made the filmmakers think that they could get away with it?". Certainly, there were Hispanic actors who could have added some slight realism into the film's lack of a strong story, but what comes out here is an embarrassment in all aspects.

SYNOPSIS: Dancing sailor jumps ship in Cuba and falls in love with a beautiful dancing lady. Unfortunately, he is not the only person interested in winning favor with the said trouper. His rival, of course, is a local playboy who happens to be one of the richest men in Cuba.

NOTES: Although he lived another 43 years, this was Tommy Wonder's last movie, though he did make a TV appearance in 1952.

First of four film appearances by Dee Tatum. Third and final movie for Laurette Campeau. Only movie for Garret, Molina, Folgoso, Wolfer, Hay, Bonin and Davis.

COMMENT: A "musical noir" or a "noir musical" certainly sounds like a contradiction in terms but there are musicals such as Words and Music (1948) that have nourish moments and even whole scenes that linger in the memory. Right up until its final reel when it suddenly reverts to type, this is a riveting musical film noir, moodily lit in true noir style by Don Malkames and energetically directed by Hollywood outcast, Marion Gering, whose previous film, She Married an Artist, was released way back in 1937. The support cast features a rich line-up of noir types including Michael Whalen's persuasive playboy and Dee Tatum's downbeat "best friend". A pity the movie casts off its noir plot-line and its moody, shadowy photography in the final reel, but it's still a must-see picture for all film noir fans. Despite its "B" movie length, production values firmly rate as top "A".