Angel Magana Movies

This feature combines musical offerings with a series of comedy sketches done by popular Argentine entertainers. The quick-moving plot presents a variety-show atmosphere, as comedian Angel Magana tries to get his daughter to reveal her fiancee's intentions toward her. Hugo del Carril and Palito Ortega, Mercedes Carreras and Juan Carlos Dual star, and musical groups Los Cinco Latinos and Los Tios Queridos are also featured. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

This Argentine melodrama was originally released as La Calle Grita. Enrique Muino plays a well-to-do resident of Bueno Aires who is reluctantly forced to come into contact with those less fortunate than himself. Through the example of such resourceful souls as street peddler Angel Magana, Muino gains a whole new perspective on life. Also woven into the plot is the romance between Muino's son Hugo Pimentel and pretty young Patricia Castell. Critics in 1948 noted that The Street Calls was a not-altogether-successful attempt to emulate Hollywood production techniques and plot developments. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Su Mejor Alumno (His Best Pupil) was directed by Lucas Demare, whose previous La Guerra Gaucha had been one of Argentina's most successful films of the 1940s. The film unfolds the life story legendary Argentinian statesman/president Sarmiento, who was as controversial as he was beloved. Much of the plot concerns Sarmiento tireless efforts to organize and modernize Argentina's once-primitive school system. To this end, he travels to the US, recruiting American educators to help achieve his ends. Also covered is Sarmiento's activities in defense of his country, which tragically claims the life of his son. Enrique Muino dominates the proceedings as Sarmiento, fully realizing the human side of this sociopolitical icon. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

La Guerra Gaucha (The Gaucho War) is based on the famous epic poem by Leopoldo Lugones. Set in the years between 1840 and 1880, the film focuses on the efforts by the Argentine gauchos (cowboys) to rebel against the occupying Spanish armies. This movement culminates in bloody, tragic clashes between gauchos and soldiers in Alta Peru and Salta. The narrative is tied together by the courage and resourcefulness of guerilla leader Captain Miranda, beautifully enacted by Francisco Perrone. Made with the full cooperation of the Argentine Army, La Guerra Gaucha scored as both popular entertainment and an intensely patriotic morale-booster. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Despite its morbid title, which translates as I Want to Die with You, this Argentine production is a screwball comedy in the tradition of Carole Lombard, Melvyn Douglas and William Powell. Elisa Galve and Angel Magiana play a constantly bickering young couple who decide that, if they can't agree on anything, it's time to end it all. Galva and Magiana draw up a suicide pact and prepare to do themselves in but are constantly interrupted by life's little surprises. At one point, their mutual self-destruction is prevented by the timely arrival of a dying gangster, who entrusts the couple with $30,000 worth of ill-gotten loot. In their efforts to avoid getting bumped off themselves, our hero and heroine gain a whole new lease on life! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi