El Muchacho Alegre -- May 5, 2025

tsutpen.blogspot.com

Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone. I borrowed the Luis Aguilar poster from the wonderful blog If Charlie Parker Was a Gunslinger, There'd Be a Whole Lot of Dead Copycats (http://tsutpen.blogspot.com/).

CHARRO AVITIA | EL MUCHACHO ALEGRE

Bugambilia -- May 5, 2023

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Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone. Dolores del Rio may have been the most beautiful woman in the world. She was proud of her Mexican heritage. She had a distinguished career in Hollywood and then another distinguished career in Mexico. She was always classy and elegant.

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El Fanfarron -- May 5, 2022

tsutpen.blogspot.com

Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone. Jorge Negrete was a popular actor and singer during the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema.  It used to be hard to see these movies in San Francisco.  Once we got UHF, I could catch some of them on Channel 14.  El fanfarrón: ¡Aquí llegó el valentón! was released in 1943.

I borrowed the poster from the wonderful blog If Charlie Parker Was a Gunslinger, There'd Be a Whole Lot of Dead Copycats (http://tsutpen.blogspot.com/).

When I was in grammar school, I was the narrator of a show and got to wear a charro outfit. That was probably the coolest I have ever looked.

El rey del barrio -- May 5, 2021

 

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Happy Cinco de Mayo, everyone. Germán Valdés, who used the stage name Tin-Tan, was a popular character. He often dressed as a pachuco and used their slang.

El Automóvil Gris -- May 5, 2020

Happy Cinco de Mayo, everyone.

Enrique Rosas directed El automóvil gris in Mexico in 1919. It made a big impression at a recent San Francisco Silent Film Festival.  It was shot as a serial but was edited into a feature during the 1930's.

Cantinflas -- May 5, 2019

www.listal.com

Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone.

I first saw Cantinflas as Passepartout in Mike Todd's Around the World in 80 Days. I thought he was wonderful, but I found it difficult to see his other movies. Sometimes I would dial by a Spanish-language television station and see him. Even though he made movies until 1982, I never saw one in a theater. People who know say his use of language was wonderful.

Lupita Tovar, RIP -- November 16, 2016

www.listal.com

I was sad to learn of the death, at the age of 106, of Mexican actress Lupita Tovar.  She was one of the last living people who appeared in a silent movie as an adult.  She is most famous in the US for appearing in the Spanish language version of Drácula, which was shot at the same time as the Bela Lugosi version.

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Carlos Villarias played Conde Drácula. 

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 In 1936, she starred with Buster Keaton in a British movie, An Old Spanish Custom, also known as The Invader. 

¡Vámonos con Pancho Villa! -- May 5, 2016

www.lucywho.com

Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone. ¡Vámonos con Pancho Villa! was an unpopular 1936 movie directed by Fernando de Fuentes.  The movie flopped when it was first released.  It showed the cruelty of war and of Pancho Villa.  In later years, it was seen as a classic. 

News of the Week April 29, 1916 -- April 29, 2016

The 29-April-1916 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"just a sample of preparedness at Fort Scott, California.  Infantry at drill before a Selig-Tribune camera."  Fort Winfield Scott was established within the Presidio of San Francisco to command the Artillery District of San Francisco. After World War II, Fort Scott became a sub-post of the Presidio.  My father was stationed here.  "Preparedness" became a popular term as events led towards the US entering the Great War.

"When the 'bos'un' pipes "Coal Ship" the boys get busy.  Caught at Guantanamo Bay by a Pathe man."  Coal burning warships were coaled (loaded with coal) by their crews.

"Fifteen automobile ambulances for service in the battle fields of Russia, the gift of the American Red Cross.  Pathe."  An Orthodox priest blesses the new ambulances.

"Uncle Same is make new arms and legs for the crippled soldiers in Europe.  British supervisor at work.  Universal."  The war led to much new development in the science and art of prosthetics. 

"How the Selig-Tribune gathers Chicago camera news for its semi-weekly.  Editor Jack Wheeler with driver."  Someone who knows more about autos could probably identify this one. 

"Unloading supplies from the States of the U.S.A. field headquarters at Cascas Grande, Mexico.  Mutual News."  The Punitive Expedition chasing Pancho Villa established its headquarters at Casas Grandes, Mexico. 

News of the Week April 22, 1916 -- April 22, 2016

The 22-April-1916 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"The good ship Jerome Jones taking to the water for the first time, at Bath, Maine.  Pathe News."  Jerome Jones, a five-masted schooner, was launched on 31-March-1916 by GG Deering.

"Raw! Raw! for Hawvahd! The crimson crew off for first spring practice, and Captain D. P. Morgan."  The Crimson crew went on to win the 23-June-1916 regatta against Yale. 

"The allies of Uncle Sam in the 'Mexican war.'  Troops of Carranza at a noontime pause.  Selig-Tribune." Venustiano Carranza was the leader of the Constitutionlists during the Mexican Revolution and President under the new constitution in 1917.

"Ambulance of Troop G, Eighth Cavalry, picking up wounded in Mexico.  Caught by a Mutual camera reporter."  The 8th Cavalry Regiment participated in the Punitive Expedition against Pancho Villa. 

"The triple train wreck near Amerst, Ohio, recently in which twenty-five persons were killed.  Pathe News."  On 29-March-1916, three New York Central trains ran into each other in a thick fog.  About 30 people died.  The trains included the Twentieth Century Limited.

"'Getting Villa' American cavalry working their way into the mountains of Mexico.  Hearst-Vitagraph Pictorial."  Pancho Villa withdrew to the mountains to avoid pursuing US cavalry.

News of the Week April 15, 1916 -- April 15, 2016

The 15-April-1916 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"Not a submarine victim.  The wreck of the 'Herman Winter' off Boston.  From the Selig-Tribune News Films."  SS Herman Winter, carrying 800 bales of cotton, caught fire on 14-March-1916.

"Flyers are not so light on their 'feet.'  Freighting one of Uncle Sam's 'planes to Mexico. Pathe News."  The First Aero Squadron used Curtiss JN3s to perform liaison duties and aerial reconnaissance for the punitive expedition.

"Uncle Sam's boys receiving supplies on the troublesome Mexican border.  Scene from Hearst-Vitagraph News."  On 09-March-1916, Pancho Villa attached the town of Columbus, New Mexico:
http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2016/03/columbus-raid-100-years-march-9-2016.html

"Rescue of an adventurous horse who plunged into a New York subway.  Taken from the Universal Weekly."  Sources say that the pavement had to be cut away to free the horse. 

"The first United States dirigible navy airshop, just previous to its first trials.  Pathe News."  This looks like the DN-1, which was based on the Parseval type, but it didn't makes its first flight until 1917.
http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2011/02/parseval-airship-february-1-2011.html

"Specialists in the business of war.  Scene in the trenches at Solmka, from the Hearst-Vitagraph News."  In 1915, an Allied expeditionary force occupied the Greek port of Salonika to support the Serbians.

News of the Week September 11, 1915 -- September 11, 2015

The 11-September-1915 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"Great sea wall saves Galveston in recent storm.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  Galveston, Texas had been nearly destroyed by a 1900 hurricane.  Thousands died.  A powerful hurricane in 1915 did not cause as much damage because of a new sea wall.  Only 53 died. 

"Only zebra born in captivity at Central Park, New York.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  The baby zebra may have been the first born in the United States. 

"Oil tank of the Indiana Pipe Line Company struck by lightning at Whiting, Ind.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  I haven't found anything about this fire. 

"Soldiers of ships of Atlantic fleet given strenuous practice.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  The Atlantic Fleet was preparing for a presidential review. 

"Armored motor train, first to cross the country, reaches Universal City.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  This appears to be the Davidson-Cadillac armored car, designed by Royal Page Davidson.  Davidson led a fleet of eight Cadillac military vehicles from Chicago to the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco in 1915. 

"General Hugh L. Scott conferring with Villa in Mexico.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  General Hugh L Scott, the Chief of Staff of the Army.  Pancho Villa led the  División del Norte.  Pressure had been growing between the US and Mexican revolutionaries. 

News of the Week August 28, 1915 -- August 28, 2015

The 28-August-1915 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"Mayor Armstrong opens new Pittsburgh Bridge.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News."  The Manchester Bridge was dedicated by Mayor Joseph G Armstrong on 08-August-1915.  The Manchester Bridge was removed in 1970. 

"Col. Theodore Roosevelt and Governor Johnson at San Diego Exposition.  Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  Former President Theodore Roosevelt and California Governor Hiram Johnson visited the Panama-California Exposition in San Diego

"Women who make munitions for armies parade in London. Copyright 1915 by Universal Animated Weekly."  Women played an important part in industrial production in all the Allied nations.  Making munitions was dangerous work, but it paid well. 

"Gen. Scott leaves for Texas to handle Mexican situation.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."   General Hugh L Scott, the Chief of Staff of the Army.  Pressure had been growing between the US and Mexican revolutionaries. 

"Heroes of the navy, killed in Haiti, buried with full military honors.  Copyright 1915 Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  US Marines invaded Haiti on 28-July-1915.  We occupied the country until 1934.  Haiti went through six presidents between 1911 and 1915.  The US was worried that Germany might interfere.  Some Marines were killed by snipers.  Perhaps this is a service for them. 

"Passenger train in collision with runaway oil car.  Copyright 1915 by Pathe News." 

El Muchacho Alegre -- May 5, 2015

Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone. I borrowed the Luis Aguilar poster from the wonderful blog If Charlie Parker Was a Gunslinger, There'd Be a Whole Lot of Dead Copycats (http://tsutpen.blogspot.com/).

News of the Week January 16, 1915 -- January 16, 2015

The 16-January-1915 Motography featured "News of the Week as Shown in Films," with items from current newsreels.

"Captured Germans being marched through the streets of London.    Copyright, 1914 by Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  Displaying enemies who have been taken prisoner is a common way to boost civilian morale. 

"Mexican troops being shipped away from the border.  Copyright, 1914, by Universal Animated Weekly." I wonder if they were near the border because of tensions during the Mexican Revolution.

"The Kaiser visits his troops at the front. Copyright, 1914 by Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  Kaiser Wilhelm II was Supreme Warlord of the German Empire. 

"East Indian troops in France advancing to the front.  Copyright, 1914, by Universal Animated Weekly." The British brought soldiers from India, but they did not do well in the European winter climate. 

"German youths being trained at Frankfurt for service.  Copyrighted 1914 by Hearst-Selig News Pictorial."  The major powers in the war all relied on new classes of conscripts coming of age every year.  Most countries wound up lowering the minimum and raising the maximum draft ages during the war. 

"A glimpse of the Servian army.  Copyrighted 1914 by Universal Animated Weekly." The war began when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia (often spelled Servia back then) on 28-July-1914:
http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2014/07/austria-declares-war-july-28-2014.html

A Trip Thru Barbarous Mexico -- September 15, 2014

Moving Picture World, 13-March-1913

 

The Mexican Revolution was a hot subject for US films.  Here we have an ad for Barbarous Mexico, a five reel feature.  The title gives an idea of the feeling many people in the US had towards Mexico and its people.  "A Five Reel Production Featuring the Peasant Revolution." 

"Madero versus Diaz."  Francisco Madero, a democrat who fought for social justice, was a leader of the revolution, who was elected President after hated dictator Porfirio Diaz resigned and fled in 1911.  In February, 1913, General Victoriano Huerta led a military coup.  Madero was deposed and then assassinated.  I think I remember more than one movie where the characters would say Huerta's name then spit.  The only movie I could find in a quick Google search was Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.  I believe there are others. 

Villa is Getting More Famous Every Day! -- July 15, 2014

Moving Picture World, 18-July-1914

Pancho Villa was a general during the Mexican Revolution.  In 1916 Villa and his troops raided Columbus, New Mexico.  The US Army spent nine months trying to catch him, but never succeeded. 

Before that, Villa had been popular with many in the United States.  The Mutual Film Corporation released The Life of General Villa, a movie that combined documentary footage with reenactments of General Villa's life.  DW Griffth produced from a distance.  Christy Cabanne directed.  Future director Raoul Walsh played Villa as a young man.  Villa received a nice chunk of American money to finance his fight against General Victoriano Huerta, who had staged a military coup, deposing and murdering President Francisco Madero. 

The movie was a success, but is probably lost. 

Moving Picture World, 04-July-1914

"Villa is getting more famous every day!"  "The Mexican War Pictures -- the only authentic ones actually taken under fire -- are in seven full reels, filled with thrilling, throbbing excitement from start to finish." 

In 2003, HBO made a movie about the production of this movie, And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself.  Antonio Banderas played General Villa. 

Moving Picture World, 20-June-1914

War With Huerta -- June 9, 2014

The Magnet Film Releasing Company had two films about the Mexican Revolution.  War With Huerta, "An Exclusive and Original Moving Picture...by Special Arrangements with HUERTA, 'The Man of the Hour." 

Francisco Madero, a democrat who fought for social justice, was a leader of the revolution, who was elected President after hated dictator Porfirio Diaz resigned and fled in 1911.  In February, 1913, General Victoriano Huerta led a military coup.  Madero was deposed and then assassinated.  I think I remember more than one movie where the characters would say Huerta's name then spit.  The only movie I could find in a quick Google search was Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.  I believe there are others. 
Rather than the Man of the Hour, Huerta was, like Kerensky in Russia, the man of five minutes. 

Huerta was President for a while until he was forced to resign and go into exile in the United States.  He later went to jail because he conspired with the Germans to get back into office. 

Uncle Sam in Mexico was a drama about US Marines invading Vera Cruz. 

The ads are from the 13-June-1914 Moving Picture World. 

El Fanfarron -- May 5, 2014

Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone. Jorge Negrete was a popular actor and singer during the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema.  It used to be hard to see these movies in San Francisco.  Once we got UHF, I could catch some of them on Channel 14.  El fanfarrón: ¡Aquí llegó el valentón! was released in 1943.

I borrowed the poster from the wonderful blog If Charlie Parker Was a Gunslinger, There'd Be a Whole Lot of Dead Copycats (http://tsutpen.blogspot.com/).

When I was in grammar school, I was the narrator of a show and got to wear a charro outfit. That was probably the coolest I have ever looked.

Barbarous Mexico -- March 14, 2014

The Mexican Revolution was a hot subject for US films.  Here we have an ad for Barbarous Mexico, a five reel feature from the 01-March-1913 Moving Picture World.  The title gives an idea of the feeling many people in the US had towards Mexico and its people.  "Every reel full of ginger." 

Francisco Madero, a democrat who fought for social justice, was a leader of the revolution, who was elected President after hated dictator Porfirio Diaz resigned and fled in 1911.  In February, 1913, General Victoriano Huerta led a military coup.  Madero was deposed and then assassinated.  I think I remember more than one movie where the characters would say Huerta's name then spit.  The only movie I could find in a quick Google search was Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.  I believe there are others. 

The ad refers to "the late revolution," but the revolution continued until about the end of the decade.  There is some disagreement about how to define its end.