Lola Beltran Movies
Lovingly hailed "la reina de la musica ranchera" (the queen of ranchera music) in her native Mexico and popular throughout the world for 40 years, the multi-talented Lola Beltran was truly a superstar. Over the course of her distinguished career Beltran recorded more than 100 albums (many of which went gold) and set a standard for ranchera music that remains unequaled. She performed before audiences from South America to Russia and met such historical figures as John F. Kennedy, Charles de Gaul, Francisco Franco, and the King and Queen of Spain. Beltran's best-loved hits include "Huapango Torero," "La Cigarra," and "Paloma Negra." As an actress Beltran appeared in about 50 films opposite some of the Spanish-speaking world's most popular male stars. Many of those films, she co-produced with Julio Aldam through their production company Conacine.Born Lucila Beltran Ruiz and raised in El Rosario, in the Mexican state of Sinaloa, she started out as a secretary at radio station XEW and was discovered by famed singer Matilde "La Torcacita" Sanchez. With additional help from Miguel Aceves Mejia, Beltran made her singing debut. Possessing a powerful and unusually beautiful voice, it was not long before she changed her name (as was suggested by famed singer Ignacio "Tata Nacho" Fernadez Esperon) and found herself popular in all areas of Mexico and beyond. After 25 years of performing, Beltran received the Virginia Fabregas medal. In 1982, she was awarded the Medalla del Artistica del Extranjero for positively representing Mexico abroad. Finally, in 1994, Beltran celebrated her 40th anniversary as a singer at the Palacio de las Bellas Artes.
Beltran's death on March 25, 1996, was as sudden as it was unexpected. Though she was 64 years old, Beltran was still busy recording and booking new performances. In honor of her life, Beltran's body was carried from Mexico City to her hometown. Thousands of fans came to pay their final respects. Television stations across Mexico aired her movies and offered special tribute programs for an entire week while radio stations continuously played Beltran's songs. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- 1994
A Mexican-American filmmaker returns to Mexico in an attempt to solve the mystery of her uncle's death in this often humorous and somewhat fictionalized documentary. Lourdres Portillo does not believe the official account of her uncle Oscar's death. The authorities say it was suicide, but she suspects Oscar's second wife, a possible gold-digger, had something to do with it. Others too, suspect foul-play was involved. She begins investigating police reports and press coverage of the death. While the mystery's solution remains inconclusive, Portillo's examination reveals a picture of a wealthy businessman and politician to whom many people were financially indebted. She also reveals a troubled family life. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
One family's love of soccer divides the household by pitting brother against mother and husband against wife in this classic comedy drama from Mexican director Icaro Cisneros. Small-town mother-of-two Flora is proud that her two soccer-playing sons have joined the successful Guadalajara team, but her excitement is short-lived when she learns that love-interest Felipe has a son that plays for the American team. Though the loving couple is willing to set their differences aside long enough to exchange wedding vows, the announcement that one of Flora's sons intends to marry Felipe's daughter threatens to turn a friendly rivalry into an all-out war! ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- 1962
Overcooked melodrama characterizes this tale set during the Mexican Revolution and starring some of Mexico's most famous, old-time actors (Katy Jurado, María Félix, Emilo Fernández, and Pedro Armendáriz). The story is about as far-fetched as can be imagined. Herrera (Armendáriz) and Gómez (Fernández) are on opposite sides in the Revolution, but then, there is more than one side anyway. Just before the two can fight it out, they are arrested and later released when the fighting is more or less over. But when the two men return home, one finds that his mistress, La Bandida (Félix) is involved with someone else, and the other is soon to be a widower. The saga then continues as both men go after La Bandida -- and all this happens with a great deal of brawling, singing, and carrying-on. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
- Starring:
- Maria Felix, Pedro Armendáriz, (more)
- 1961
This is an effective and entertaining look at a popular trio of femme singers in Mexico during the early 1930s. Directed and written by Rogelio A. Gonzalez and based on a story by Isaac Diaz Araiza, the musical biopic details the rise to fame of the Garnica Asencio Trio, enacted by Amalia Mendoza, Rosa Quintana, and well-known singer Lola Beltran. Although the story plays fast and loose with historical fact at times, the ambiance of the early '30s and the tunes are excellently rendered, giving an upbeat glimpse into Mexico's "golden age" of song. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
- Starring:
- Rosita Quintana, Lola Beltran, (more)
- 1961
The well-known Mexican singer Lola Beltran stars with fellow singer Pedro Vargas in this musical and dance paen to their native land. A combination of musical styles from arias to popular tunes, as well as folkloric dances enliven the story about a tourist who comes to Mexico for one last outing before her pending marriage. The country and its people are so appealing and she is having such a good time that married bliss starts to look like a poor second to the current fun. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
- Starring:
- Ana Berta Lepe, Lola Beltran, (more)
- 1960
- PG
A standard Mexican melodrama, Que Bonito Amor features two popular Latino actors, Lola Beltran and Antonio Aguilar as a couple whose version of marriage includes a serious competition for first place in the domestic arena. When they reverently approach the altar in their wedding ceremony, all goes well and normally until the priest asks the bride if she will honor and ~obey~ her husband -- and that ticks her off. Her reaction elicits an equal and opposite reaction from her groom, and that sequence sets the stage for their life together as newlyweds. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi
- Starring:
- Antonio Aguilar, Lola Beltran, (more)
Rogaciano El Huapanguero concerns a cowboy who after some time away returns to his hometown. Although everyone appears to be happy to see him, he soon discovers that the girl he held a torch for during his time away has become engaged to the man's bitter enemy. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
The Mexican western Duelo en el Dorado was lensed sometime in the late 1960s. Luis Aguilar and Emilio Fernandez (yes, the same Emilio Fernandez who shot and killed a critic who'd carped about one of the films he'd directed) play antagonists who spend the film's running time at each other's throats-literally. One is a white settler, the other a Native American. The bone of contention is a white orphan, whom the Indian wants to adopt into his tribe. Duel en el Dorado is quite violent, but at least has the saving grace of solid story values. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
A tale of a beautiful Hispanic singer as she becomes famous and the two bedeviled men who lover her. ~ Rovi
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