Gilda’s plays Sonia in her first starring role in the 1964 film ‘La vendedora de amor.’

Carlos Alberto Badías was a young Cuban heartthrob who did a lot of telenovela work. Gilda Mirós had previously appeared in “Romance en Puerto Rico” (1961) and would work in a number of Mexican movies of the late 1960s and 70s, but “La vendedora de amor” was her first starring role; she later forged a lasting career as a radio and TV talk show host. The supporting cast included Cubans Antonia Rey and Otto Sirgo; Dominican Zulema Atala; and Mexican film veteran Antonio Badu, all of whom had long and notable careers.

Gilda recalls: “The publicity photo still from the film, shows me with Carlos Alberto Badías, who was a young Cuban handsome actor, who later moved to Spain, where he passed on at an early age. The supporting cast included Antonia Rey, a Cuban-born formidable actress who played my assistant in the film. She and her husband, director Andres Castro, were pioneers in the theater movement in their native pre-revolution Cuba. Good-hearted Antonia is better known for her cameos in various movies. She has also appeared in many TV shows such as ‘Who’s The Boss? ‘”

Gilda notes: “With the theme song and musical background by legendary Puerto Rican singer and musician Tito Rodriguez, l was able to play the lead role of a dancer.”

Gilda notes that the film was shot in New York City in 1964 and directed by Puerto Rican Jerónimo Mitchell Meléndez. She adds, “I must also thank the great choreographer from Havana, Cuba’s Tropicana Club: star dancer Elena del Cueto, who in 1962 sought asylum in the United States, with her Cuban Ballet co-founder Alberto Alonso, and their two daughters. She rehearsed with me and directed me in the dance sequences. My wardrobe was designed by Pepito Diaz, also from Havana’s Tropicana Club. Elena Del Cueto was lovely, kind and a talented ballerina who later divorced and founded ‘The Elena Del Cueto Dance Studios’ in Florida. She eventually moved to North Carolina where she passed at the age of 87.”

Click below to see video of Gilda dancing in La Vendedora De Amor:

Gilda Dancing Youtube