Carlos Fernandez Movies
- 1969
This situation comedy finds a court-appointed attorney representing the poor and downtrodden of Mexico City against the Establishment. Justo (Cantinflas) is the dedicated lawyer who encounters a diverse and hilarious clientele. With the help of his secretary Angelica (Lupita Ferrer), in court and in bed, he fights for the rights of the underprivileged against the elite. Justo also falls for a pretty chorus girl (Susana Salvat) who is more than willing to express her amorous appreciation to her defender. This is an excellent comedy vehicle for Cantinflas, an adored comedian in the Spanish-speaking world. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cantinflas, Lupita Ferrer, (more)
- 1967
Highly symbolic and allegorical, this drama takes the search of a son for his father in the chaotic times of the Mexican Revolution and the early 1900s as its basis. Stereotypical (or archetypal) figures from early Mexican cinema appear from time to time, and the violence of the revolutionary period is not glossed over. As the son searches for the father, scenes of the father and his earthy way of living are screened. Given that it relies so heavily on knowledge of Mexican history and Mexican cinema in addition to being something of an art-film, non-Mexican viewers will need to be both erudite and patient. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ignacio Tarso
- 1956
The Brave One is a bull named Gitano (or Gypsy). Mexican lad Michael Ray "adopts" Gitano after saving the animal's life during a storm. The friendship between bull and boy is threatened when Gitano's legal owners claim the animal and ship it off to the bullring. Moved by the boy's plight, the President of Mexico signs a "pardon" for Gitano-but not soon enough to prevent the bull's appearance at the Plaze de Mexico at Mexico City, where he faces top matador Fermin Rivera. The Brave One was helmed by Irving Rapper, a man best known for his Bette Davis vehicles at Warner Bros. Based on a true incident, the film earned a "best story" Academy Award for one Robert Rich-who, much to the embarrassment of the Academy (and the delight of civil libertarians) turned out to be blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo. Long available only in its "flat", black and white TV version, The Brave One was recently restored to its Technicolor and CinemaScope glory by the American Movie Classics cable service. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Ray, Rodolfo Hoyos, (more)
- 1950
Almafuerte is a filmed biography of fiery Argentine poet Pedro B. Palacios. Writing under the name of Almafuert, Palacios rebels against the mindless bureaucracy and oppression indigenous to his country. After years in poverty, Almafuerte is finally afforded the recognition he deserves. It is interesting that many of Argentina's best films about the triumph of the human spirit were made in the early years of the Juan Peron regime. Narciso Ibanez Menta is so good in the title role that he virtually acts everyone else off the screen. Almafuerte was the 1949 winner of the Argentine equivalent of the Oscar. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Narciso Ibáñez Menta
