Gloria Marin Movies

Rafael Villasenor Kuri's crime film El Coyote y la Bronca stars Vincente Fernandez as a con-man who treats people as nothing more than objects to be manipulated in order to get what he wants. When he comes into contact with "La Branca" (Blanca Guerra), a female manipulator with skills equal to his, their desires may end up destroying them both. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

The humor in this Mexican social comedy has more to do with the aptly depicted characters shown than with the story. When Enfermio (Manolo Faregas) takes his family on an outing, he encounters every possible calamity. A group of unconnected lotharios almost romance his wife and his daughter away from him, he encounters a military man who is a little too ready to draw his gun at the slightest provocation, and his mother manages to eat herself to death. This last event leads to a macabre drive through town, as he takes his family, including the propped-up corpse of his mother, back home. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

The English title of the Mexican Un Gallo en Corral Ajeno is Straying Rooster. This is as apt a description as any of the leading character, played by popular musical star Jorge Negrete. He plays an eccentric millionaire who whimsically poses as a turkey thief. While in this guise, he is hired to pose for an avant-garde sculptress (Gloria Marin, in real life, the former Mrs. Negrete). The freewheeling storyline drifts amiably all over Mexico, from big-city skyscrapers to dusty cattle ranches. The most memorable aspect of Un Gallo en Corral Ajeno is the versatile cinematography of the late, great Gabriel Figueroa. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Previously filmed in Germany in 1939, Guy de Maupassant's "history of a scoundrel" Bel Ami was good for another go-round in this Mexican adaptation. Armando Calvo plays the eponymous "hero," a duplicitous journalist who advances himself in society by seducing and abandoning women of wealth, all the while denying himself true love. This essentially Gallic tale is given a Latin flavor by director Antonio Momplet. Calvo's quartet of leading ladies -- Gloria Marin, Patricia Moran, Emilia Guau and Andrea Palma -- are gorgeous, deserving far better treatment than afforded them by the ruthless Bel Ami. In an incredible "coincidence," Bel Ami was distributed in the U.S. just before the release of United Artists' The Private Affairs of Bel Ami. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

A notorious womanizer is placed in charge of his newborn nephew, only to find that caring for infants is decidedly more difficult than charming the ladies in a classic Mexican comedy starring Jorge Negrete, Gloria Marin, and Eduardo Noriega. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

The ironically titled Que Hombre Tan Simpatico (What a Charming Fellow) is a showcase for Latin American film favorite Fernando Soler, who also directed. The star plays an improvident bachelor who genially mooches off a wealthy medical student. In turn, Soler helps the student get out of his various romantic entanglements. Things get sillier and sillier when the student tries to hit up his family for more money by claiming to have taken a wife. It's up to Soler to find an appropriate "bride," and to clean up things with the truth is revealed. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Historia de un Gran Amor was one of the most successful Mexican productions of 1943, a hit with audiences and critics alike. Jorge Negrete plays Manuel, a poor boy of indeterminate lineage who falls in love with a wealthy senorita (Gloria Marin). Told by the girl's father (Julio Villareal) that he isn't a worthy suitor, Manuel vows to make something of himself and return for his love. Years later, a much-richer Manuel rides back into town, only to discover that his sweetheart has married another. But their love is too strong to be impeded by matrimonial bonds, and hero and heroine declare undying devotion to one another. Alas, their romance is foredoomed, thanks to the girl's jealous, short-tempered husband. Historia de un Gran Amor was based on El Nino de la Bola, a novel by Antonio De Alarcon. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The Count of Monte Cristo, Alexander Dumas' oft-filmed novel of adventure, intrigue, revenge and justice, was given a class-A treatment in this 3-hour Mexican production. Arturo de Cordova stars as Edmond Dantes, who, betrayed by a sinister conspiracy, is unjustly imprisoned in the Chateau D'If. After a long and laborious escape, Dantes returns to his hometown under the guise of the Count of Monte Cristo, intending to avenge himself against his enemies. Though largely successful in ruining those who wronged him, Dantes' resolve is eventually softened by his longtime sweetheart Mercedes, here renamed Haide and played by musical star Mapy Cortes. Most English-language prints of El Conde de Monte Cristo were severely edited, though a two-part version was prepared for selected showings. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

La Virgen que Forjo una Patria (Saint That Forged a Country) is one of several Mexican films inspired by the 16th-century sighting of the Virgin Mary -- a phenomenon that abruptly ended hostilities between the Spanish Conquistadors and the Aztec Indians and spearheaded the spread of Catholicism throughout Latin America. Former romantic lead Ramon Novarro delivers a sincere, thoughtful performance as Juan Diego, the humble peasant who built the church on the hill where first he saw the Blessed Virgin. The film expansively covers the years 1531 to 1810, and features such prominent Mexican clerics as Brother Martin (played by Domingo Solar) and Father Hidalgo (Julio Villareal). Gloria Marin also appears as the Aztec slave girl who figured so importantly in the proceedings. Somewhat long and drawn out, the film nonetheless held Mexican audiences in thrall back in 1944. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi