Hugo del Carril Movies
For over fifty years, multi-talented singer Hugo del Carril was one of Argentina's most popular movie stars. He was born Piero Bruno Ugo Fontana in Buenos Aires and started out performing on the radio as an announcer and singer of tango music. De Carril made his film-acting debut in 1936. Three years later he memorably portrayed tango singer Carlos Gardel in the tuneful biopic La Vida de Carlos Gardel. He made his directorial debut in 1948 with Historia del 900. In 1950, he earned international acclaim for his film Las Aguas Bajan Turbtas, an exposé of worker exploitation done from a union's perspective. Del Carril had complete control over this film as producer, director and star. He went on to act in scores of Argentine and international films, including a French film La Fille de Feul in 1958. He also continued directing, and by the time he retired from filmmaking in 1973, he had helmed 15 films. Del Carril made his final film appearance in El Tango Cuenta su Historia (1976). Over the years, he was a notorious, loyal supporter of Peron, and as the Argentine President's career fluctuated so did del Carrill's. When Peron was out of favor, del Carril was blacklisted. In 1974, he was appointed the leader of Argentina's National Film Institute by Peron. When the leader died in 1976, del Carril was again banned from making films. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide- 1975
This historical drama re-interprets and adapts its story from an episode in Argentine history which occurred in the 1830s when a provincial governor, Facundo Quiroga, was ambushed and killed by an exceptionally violent group of mercenary soldiers under the command of Santos Perez. The politics of that era, during which Argentina was ruled by the stern Juan Manuel de Rosas, are explored. Eventually, it is revealed that the men who hired Perez were the Renafe brothers. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Federico Luppi, Jose Maria Gutierrez, (more)
- 1969
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, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mercedes Carreras, Juan Carlos Dual, (more)
- 1969
In 1935, Paramount pictures made a tango musical featuring the rising Argentine star Carlos Gardel. Not long after that, Gardel, who is widely credited with popularizing Argentina's national dance, the tango, died in an airplane crash, along with many other key figures in the rise of tango music. A biography of Gardel with substantially the same name as this film was made in 1986, titled Dia Que Me Quieras. This 1969 musical is a straightforward remake of the earlier film, with new recordings of the old favorites a major feature. Given that the Argentines could be reliably counted on to be critical of any lapse in production values or failure to live up to the spirit of the original, it is significant that this film was a runaway box-office success there. The story concerns a rich man's son who is disinherited by his father when he shows more interest in music and the tango than in the family business. The boy marries a tango singer, and they live together in poverty, raising a small family. After his wife dies, the boy goes on to become a major musical success, and the story is told in flashback by the much older man. One performer reprising his role from the original film is dancer/comedian Tito Lusiardo. The star of the film, singer/actor Hugo de Carril, here marks his return to acting after several unsatisfying stints as a film director. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hugo del Carril, Susana Campos, (more)
- 1964
In this South Sea island romance, a professor, his daughter and his assistant are shipwrecked upon an island when their scientific expedition goes awry. After a decade there the professor dies and the two young people decide to become "husband and wife." The jealous husband worries that he will lose his bride if they go back to the real world. When a ship is at long last sighted on the horizon he "forgets" to light the signal fire. The ship, filled with smugglers, moors offshore anyway. The smugglers find the couple and decide to kill the man and keep the woman for themselves. The husband, desperate to save his wife, leads the crooks to a large cache of pearls. The greedy smugglers begin fighting amongst themselves and they all die. Later the captain, learning of an impending typhoon, comes ashore to find his crew. He finds the bodies, but the husband has disappeared. He tells the woman that he was probably killed and she goes with him to the boat. As they are leaving, she sees him standing on a cliff. Without hesitation, the woman dives overboard to join her man. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1960
This sombre, gray melodrama about a gangster who does not rise above his station in life has definite political overtones since director Hugo del Carril was an outspoken supporter of Juan Peron. The focus of this tale is a criminal who grew up without a father and had all the disadvantages of poverty and illegitimacy put together. For that reason, the disadvantaged man maintains he had no choice but to turn to corruption to survive. At the same time, once he obtains the benefits of a good education and money in his pocket, corruption remains as appealing and "viable" as ever. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hugo del Carril
- 1956
One of the first Argentinian films to receive a widespread American release, Dark River was produced and directed by Hugo Del Carril, who also plays the leading role. The film details the misadventures of a group of itinerant Argentinian workers, employed by a plantation in Paraguay. Well, "employed" is too genteel a term: "enslaved" would be more like it. After enduring the ceaseless torments and oppressions doled out by their boss, the workers, led by Del Carril, organize into a union and turn the tables. After a bloody denoument, Del Carril and the lovely Adriana Benetti are among the few left standing. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pedro Laxalt
- 1949
A huge hit in its native Argentina, Historia Del 900 (A Story of the Nineties) was likewise well received during its American run. The film's director was Hugo Del Carril, a former radio star who matriculated into Argentina's biggest box-office draw of the 1940s. Historia Del 900 was his first directorial effort, and an impressive debut it was (though not quite in the same league as his 1952 masterpiece La Aguas Bajan Turbias). Set in Buenos Aires at the turn of the century, the film stars Carril as a tango artist who vows revenge when his brother is killed by Guillermo Battaglia, the owner of an illegal cockfighting arena. The film boils down to a knife battle between hero and villain, but not before several romantic entanglements and lively musical numbers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hugo del Carril, Guillermo Battaglia, (more)
- 1945
The popularity of Argentine singing stars Libertad Lamarque and Hugo del Carril is the sole raison d'etre for La Cabalgata del Circo. The title translates as The Circus Parade, and accordingly the story concerns a travelling circus, touring the Argentine Pampas. The story is the usual "backstage" concoction, with Lamarque standing by her handsome but unreliable boyfriend Del Carril. When the film was released in the U.S. in 1945, critics commented that supporting actress Evita Duarte "does not reveal much screen talent." Duarte would eventually find success in another field of endeavor when she married Argentine president Juan Peron. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Libertad Lamarque, Hugo del Carril, (more)
- 1944
Los Dos Rivales (The Two Rivals) features Luis Sandrini and Hugo del Carril as the title characters. Our heroes are a pair of newspaper reporters, eternally battling over headline stories and pretty girls. When an editor's daughter is kidnapped, Sandrini and Carril reluctantly joins forces and go to her rescue. There are a few tense moments towards the end when one of the reporters is wounded while fleeing the villains. But in time-honored "stop the presses" fashion, both men are back on the job-and at each other's throats-by fadeout time. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Luis Sandrini, Hugo del Carril, (more)
- 1943
Asses' Skin, a story by Honore de Balzac, was the basis of the Argentine film La Piel de Zapa. The story concerns a suicide-prone gentleman who happens upon an enchanted asses' skin at a curiosity shop. The skin will grant him his every wish, but there's a catch: each time a wish is granted, the skin's owner's life grows shorter. Our hero finds that he'd like to prolong his life upon falling in love, but it may be a shade too late. Though filmed in its entirety in Argentina, La Piel de Zapa has an appropriate French ambience, thanks in no small part to the presence of Gallic leading lady Florence Marly. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hugo del Carril, Florence Marly, (more)
- 1943
The Argentine romantic comedy Amor Ultimo Modelo (Love, Latest Model) top-bills the popular Alberto Vila as a mild-mannered dress designer. Vila's boss wants to land an important order from a visiting countess (Anna Maria Lynch), and when it turns out that Our Hero knew the woman when she was just another pretty peasant, Vila is assigned to the task. The labyrinthine plotline requires Vila to adopt several disguises along the way, with musical interludes and (what else?) a closing fashion show. Amor Ultimo Modelo represented the directorial debut of screenwriter Roberto Ratti. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alberto Vila
- 1942
The English-language title of this Argentine rags-to-riches yarn is The Novel of a Poor Young Man. The protagonist is played by singing sensation (and future director of note) Hugo Del Carril, cast as an orphaned lad who falls in love with the daughter (Amanda Ledesma) of his boss. Through a combination of pluck, luck and Herculean heroics, Del Carril wins not only the girl but a lifetime of wealth and luxury. So corny is the plotline and the directorial approach of Luis Bayon Herrera that the film can be enjoyed as "high camp" instead of the inspirational drama it was evidently intended to be. Production values are far better than the film deserves. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hugo del Carril, Nini Marshall, (more)
- 1941
En a Luz de una Estrella (By the Light of the Stars) serves as a showcase for stellar Latin American tango singer (and future director) Hugo Del Carril. The star plays a sexy cabaret singer with a predilection for loving neither wisely nor well. When he falls for a married woman, he ends up being shot full of holes by a jealous husband. The rest of the film details Del Carril's miraculous comeback -- both professional and personal -- from the brink of death. Alas, tragedy continues to loom large in Del Carril's life when a starstruck chorus girl takes his harmless flirtations all too seriously. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hugo del Carril, Zully Moreno, (more)
- 1941
Cancion de los Barrios (Song of the Wards) is a vehicle for popular Latin American recording artist (and future director) Hugo del Carril. The star plays the carefree son of a shipping magnate, preferring to sing instead of tending to his family's business. Forced to work in his dad's shipyard, Carril falls in love with pretty co-worker Alicia Vignoli. Alas, he is still pining away for his previous sweetheart, glamorous actress Aida Alberti, so it takes several more plot convolutions to arrive at a happy ending. The film was based on the stage "musical comedy melodrama" (huh?) by Ivo Pelay and Francisco Canaro. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hugo del Carril
- 1941
Cuando Canta el Corazon (When the Heart Sings) was directed by Richard Harlan, an American-born helmsman then living and working in Argentina. Singing sensation Hugo del Carril stars as a wealthy young wastrel who's confined to his family hacienda by his frugal papa. After a years' worth of servitude as a farmhand, our hero heads back to the Big City in hopes of rekindling his romance with a beautiful nightclub singer. He marries the girl without his parent's consent, and joins her travelling show-business troupe, cheerfully experiencing all manner of deprivations so long as he can be with the woman he loves. Del Carril is reconciled with his mother and father on the occasion of the baptism of his first-born son (they thought they'd been invited to his wedding!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hugo del Carril, Aida Luz, (more)
- 1938
Per the title, this film deals with the misadventures of three Argentine friends at large in Gay Paree. Ricardo (Hugo del Carril) is an aspiring artist; Ocampo (Florencio Parravicini) is a tour guide; and Pedernera (Tito Lusiardo) is a confidence trickster. While Ricardo pursues a romance with Angela (Irina Corboba), adopted daughter of a bankrupt businessman, his two pals set about to fleece a nouveau riche Argentinian tourist. The plot takes an unexpected turn when Ocampo learns that Angela is actually his daughter. And that's only the first of several delightful surprises in this consistently inventive and entertaining film. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tito Lusiardo, Hugo del Carril, (more)
