Rosita Garcia Movies
The daughter of the Cuban Consul-General to Great Britain, Rosita Garcia (born Olga Garcia-Iniquez) was discovered by Hollywood director Rex Ingram and his wife Alice Terry, who were filming Where the Pavement Ends in Havana, Cuba. Fluent in English, Garcia was brought to Hollywood, where she appeared as an extra in Ben-Hur (1925). Ingram, however, remembered her when he was casting for his first and, as it turned out, only sound film, Baroud (aka Love in Morocco (1932). She played his daughter in this Bedouin romance and a bright future in films was expected. Alas, Rosita Garcia played only minor roles in her two remaining films, Alexander Korda's The Private Life of Don Juan (1933) and The Beachcomber (1938). ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide- 1938
Based on a story by Somerset Maugham, The Beachcomber was originally released in Great Britain as Vessel of Wrath. This English version was much franker--and much more fun--than the abbreviated, watered-down US release prints. Even the American version, however, is successful in capturing the spirit of Maugham's tale of slovenly remittance man Charles Laughton drinking and wenching away his monthly allowance in the picturesque Dutch Islands. Elsa Lanchester (the real-life Mrs. Laughton) plays the prim sister of sanctimonious missionary Tyrone Guthrie, who slowly regenerates the wastrelly Laughton. Our hero redeems himself fully through his courageous behavior during a cholera epidemic. This version of The Beachcomber is based on the stage adaptation by Bartlett Cormick; the 1955 remake, which played faster and looser with the Maugham original than the Cormack version did, starred Robert Newton, who plays the local British authority in the 1938 film. The Beachcomber was the only film directed by producer Erich Pommer, who spent most of the 1930s as Charles Laughton's business partner. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Laughton, Elsa Lanchester, (more)
- 1934
Producer and director (Alexander Korda) followed up The Private Life of Henry VIII (one of the first internationally successful British films) with this historical comedy. After years in exile, the great lover Don Juan (Douglas Fairbanks) returns to Seville, the city of his salad days. However, Don Juan is now married and middle-aged, and his days as a spoiler of women seem to be behind him. When he learns that a young man in town (Barry McKay) has been posing as him and making time with the local ladies, Don decides to prove who the great lover truly is and attempts the seduction of Antonia (Merle Oberon), a beautiful dancer. However, Don's doctor informs him that girl-hunting will tax his fragile health, and his wife Dolores (Benita Hume) will no longer turn a blind eye to his infidelity. When the impostor is killed by a jealous husband, Don is relieved, as his "death" allows him to retire from his career as a rake with his reputation intact. But when the old itch returns, Don makes the sad discovery that if he can't convince women he's Don Juan, they simply aren't interested in him. The Private Life of Don Juan provided one of the few speaking roles for silent screen swashbuckler Douglas Fairbanks, and proved to be his last picture. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Douglas Fairbanks, Merle Oberon, (more)
- 1931
This British production was the final film of writer/producer/director Rex Ingram, who also stars; his wife Alice Terry assisted him as co-director. André Duval (Ingram) and Si Hamed (Pierre Batcheff) are both sergeants in the Spahis, the corps of Algerian native cavalry in the French Army. Duval falls in love with Si Hamed's sister Zinah (Rosita Garcia), even though an infidel's attentions to her can lead to his death. Zinah's father, Si Allal (Felipe Montes), is a Berber chieftan battling the bandit Si Amarok (Andrews Engelmann), who lusts after Zinah and plans to betray Si Allal. The Spahis defend him against the bandits, and Duval and Zinah come to terms with their feelings. When the Spahis leave, he is with them as she waves goodbye. Released in the U.S. in a 74-minute version called Love in Morocco, Baroud was also shot in a French-language version, with Duval and Zinah played by Roland Caillaux and Colette Darfeuil. ~ Nicole Gagne, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rosita Garcia, Colette Darfeuil, (more)
