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Warner Bros. First National, 1935. Directed by
Edward Chodorov. Camera: George Barnes, Sol Polito. With
Dolores Del Rio,
Pat O'Brien, Leo Carillo,
Edward Everett Horton, Glenda
Farrell. |
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Caliente was a stylish resort destination for
the film community in the 1930's, and this film attempted to capitalize on
that exotic fact for movie audiences. Very little of the film takes
advantage of its sultry locale, however. The film is mainly concerned
with Rita, a beautiful Mexican dancer, who is infuriated after Larry, a
theater critic, savagely pans her dancing after failing to catch her act!
She sets out to show him and, of course they fall in love.
There is a good supporting cast, especially
Edward Everett Horton as his usual nervous fussbudget. The two musical
numbers were staged by Busby Berkeley. The Lady in Red is sung
by a chorus of studio cuties and by the wonderful Wini Shaw (and a novelty
chorus or two is sung by the delightful Judy Canova, doing her "country
hayseed" character). The Muchacha number is one of Berkeley's
typical sprawling numbers and makes good use of
Dolores Del Rio's beauty and
horses riding up a staircase! Pay attention to Del Rio in the scene at the
pool. She wears what's believed to be the screen's first two-piece bathing
suit. Just one look at her stunning beauty will make you long for the days
when Hollywood was known for goddesses like
Del Rio,
Dietrich,
Lamarr,
Garbo,
etc. |
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American Film Institute
Catalog
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New York magazine editor Larry MacArthur (Pat O'Brien) barks orders. Clara (Glenda Farrell) comes in to plan her marriage to
Larry. Larry gets drunk, and his partner Harold Brandon (Edward Everett Horton)
takes him away to Caliente in Mexico. Jose Gomez (Leo Carrillo) tells dancer
Rita Gomez (Dolores del Rio) he'll quit winning money with card tricks, but he
doesn't. Harold awakens Larry in the hotel, telling him he is saving him from
Clara. Harold pays Jose to make the musicians go away. Larry calls Clara and
tells her where he is. When he sees Rita, Larry decides to stay. Harold asks to
engage Rita. She says she usually gets $2,000, and Harold hires her to divert
Larry. Rita reminds Jose of the bad review Larry gave her when she danced in New
York. In the pool Rita cries for help to Larry, who jumps in; but Rita rescues
him.
Larry calls on Rita; but
she only talks with him from her window. Jose asks Harold for an advance and
gets a check for $300. Larry dances with Rita, and Harold hires a man to cut in
on him. Clara calls Larry. Rita invites Larry to her bungalow and puts on a sexy
gown. Larry kisses her as Jose comes in. A telegram to Larry from Clara
threatens trouble. Larry tells Harold that he is in love and is going to marry
Rita. So Harold tells Larry of the business deal. Larry orders diverse flowers
and wrote a poem. At the nightclub Lois (Wini Shaw) sings and the De Marcos
dance "The Lady In Red." Hearing Larry's low opinion of her dancing, Rita tells
Jose to arrange for her to dance the next night.
In an elaborate "La
Muchacha" number with bandits and horses Rita dances. Larry tells her that he
was drunk when he wrote that review and that he cares only about her. Clara
arrives, and Rita walks out. Larry says he is going to marry Rita, and Clara
says she will sue. Rita leaves with Jose, but Larry climbs into the car. Harold
and Clara grab a car and follow. Clara hears that Harold has a half million
dollars in a bank. A cop stops Harold for stealing the car; but Clara says they
are eloping. They get married. Now that Rita believes Larry, they can get
married too.
Busby Berkeley
choreography highlights this romantic comedy in which Harold tries to use money
to solve problems. The credibility of the alcoholic Larry is questionable;
Harold gets taken with his money; and Jose continues to make his living with
tricks.
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Sanderson Beck |
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