Malu Gatica Movies

This 105-minute Chilean documentary tells the viewer all there is to know about that country's Big Chamorro Circus. What plot there is involves Chamarro himself, and his various efforts to keep his show afloat. Some laughs are provided by provincial Peruvian comedian Eugenio Retes, while Malu Gatica and Rafael Frontaura handle the romantic-subplot duties. Retes also handled the script, which is perfunctory at best. El Gran Circo Chamorro was filmed to take advantage of Chilean "frozen funds" which were freed up when the country's economy was stabilized. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The "bandit" of the title is notorious 18th-century British highwayman Dick Turpin, herein portrayed by Louis Hayward. The lady is the high-born Joyce Greene (Patricia Medina), who becomes Turpin's bride. Motivated by Irish patriotism and revenge against the man who hanged his father, Turpin cuts quite a swath through the British countryside, relieving wealthy passengers of their riches. For his wife's sake, Turpin briefly gives up his life of crime, but not for long. Upon learning that his wife is slated to be hanged as his accomplice, Turpin embarks upon a 200-mile ride from St.Alban's to York, knowing full well that by rescuing his bride, he will forfeit his own life. Well produced (especially for a Columbia costumer of the era), Lady and the Bandit is based on the Alfred Noyes poem Dick Turpin's Ride--and not on Noyes' The Highwayman as claimed by previous sources. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi