El Bolero de Raquel (1957) Mario Cantinflas & Elaine Bruce

As Maurice Ravel's Bolero plays, the sultry, but virtually unknown dancer (actress?) Elaine Bruce provocatively takes the stage in this 1957 Mexican comedy. She soon loses center stage when actor-comedian Mario Moreno Reyes "Cantinflas" joins and turns the dance into a total disaster. Cantinflas was a huge success in his native Mexico and the Latin world but virtually unknown to American audiences until his supporting role in the 1956 film "Around the World in Eighty Days". He proves to be a scene stealer with his portrayal of Passepartout and receives top-billing in all non-English speaking nations. His comedy skill is so dynamic that he receives a Golden Globe for Best Actor. As a result, Cantinflas became the world's most highly paid actor and was referred to by Charlie Chaplin as "the greatest comedian in the world." He is often referred to as the "Charlie Chaplin of Mexico." His career was so full of success that his achievements are vast. He pioneered Mexican cinema and helped establish Mexico as the entertainment capital of Latin America. Also, he was known as a kind philanthropist, a venture capitalist, a pious Catholic, a verbal innovator, and a picaresque underdog. In effect, he encompassed the identity of an entire nation! El Bolero was a natural role for Cantinflas since his career began as a dancer. Sadly, I haven't been able to obtain information on Elaine Bruce but as is evident from this footage, her dance rendition to Ravel's Bolero has been much imitated... even to the point of being copied by several famous ballet dancers (whom I won't name). Note to Hollywood... watch and learn from our neighbors south of the border, this is superb in every way!

Channel: Music
Uploaded: March 27, 2007 at 7:48 pm
Author: philipcarol

Length: 04:54
Rating: 4.99
Views: 65877

Tags: 1957  Beatles  Bolero  Cantinflas  Dance  Espagnol  Jesus  Mexico  Ravel  Spanish  

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