Year(s)1965
Chapter / SubheadingFilm
Production / Project / ActivityThe Rage
Name of Theatre / Venue / VehicleDurango, Mexico
RoleSupporting Actress
Notes / Anecdotes
These photos were taken in the desert of Durango, Mexico, during the filming of the film "The Rage " or " The Evil " in the 1960s. The young man with me is Valentin Trujillo Gazcón who later became actor, screenwriter, director and producer of Mexican and international cinema. Valentin appeared in 131 films, directed 20 and produced little more than 20. He died in 2006.
Maura Monti is an Italian actress who came to Mexico and was very successful as a model and then as an actress. Shee married the film director, Gilberto Gazcón, Valentin's uncle. She was then highlighted as a driver and journalist. We worked together several times; here in the movie Mexico / Hollywood, "the rage".
I had the privilege to share with the American actor and star of international film Glenn Ford. God has been very generous and merciful to me.
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Film- on location
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Tags / Keywords- Film
- Mexico
Year(s)1966
Chapter / SubheadingFilm
Production / Project / ActivityLuna de Miel en Puerto Rico
Name of Theatre / Venue / VehiclePuerto Rico
RoleCo-Star
Reflections / Significant Moments
Film- Musical
| Title / Description | Credits | Additional Notes (Medium, Location, etc) |
|---|---|---|
| Film Still |
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Link (1)youtu.be
Tags / Keywords- Puerto Rico
- Film
- Dance
- Fernando Cortés
- Musical
Year(s)1966
Chapter / SubheadingFilm
Production / Project / ActivityContrabandistas del Caribe
Name of Theatre / Venue / VehicleMiami, Florida
RoleActress- Julia
Notes / Anecdotes
In 1966 I was signed to do a film in Miami; “Contrabandistas Del Caribe” produced & directed by legendary filmmaker Juan Rogelio García, known as Juan Orol, from Spain with Mexican nationality.
The famous Orol’s career went from bullfighting to 57 motion pictures as actor, screen writer, director & producer. He was a pioneer and a star maker of the Cuban & Mexican movie industry, but he died in poverty in 1988.
Along with me, in the cast was César Del Campo, who began his career as a radio announcer in his native Cuba. He also became a singer and eventually he turned to acting, first in Cuba & then in Mexico. Cesar acted in 95 films and 45 telenovelas, and finally became a theatre producer in Florida where he passed at the age of 85.
Cesar Del Campo worked with all the leading ladies, in what is now called “Rumbera Cinema” of the Golden Age of Mexican Movies. All popular Cuban actresses/dancers, like Maria Antonieta Pons, (That l acted with in the film Romance en Puerto Rico) Amalia Aguilar, Rosa Carmina, Ninon Sevilla & also Meche Barba who was born in NYC.
Juan Orol’s last wife was Dinorah Judith, who was a Mexican ballerina and actress. My scenes in the film, were with this lovely lady that passed on in 2005.
All my career files will be available in the future in “Escúchame, The History of Spanish Broadcasting in the US” Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, Wash. DC & The Actors Fund Performing Arts Legacy Project
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Film
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- Florida
Year(s)1967
Chapter / SubheadingFilm
Production / Project / ActivityDos Pintores Pintorescos
Name of Theatre / Venue / VehicleMexico City
RoleCo-Star
Notes / Anecdotes
Rene Cardona Jr, the actor, director and son of Cuban / Mexican producer of the same name; was born in Mexico City. René Jr, entered the world of cinema at 18 years of age as special effects director of “Pulgarcito” His filmography adds more than 60 films for Mexico and abroad
The young director René Cardona Jr. directed me in "Dos Pintores Pintorescos” “Two Picturesque Painters" with Viruta and Capulina. The dynamic but very friendly filmmaker died of a complication with cancer.
Viruta & Capulina were a duo who were the most famous comedians in Mexico during the 60; in real life they had an uneasy working relationship. Marco Antonio Campos; Viruta was an actor, comedian, singer, musician, writer and Mexican broadcaster. He began his artistic life as part of some trios like "The Romanceros" Viruta joined Capulina in 1952.
Capulina Gaspar Henaine, was an actor, comedian, musician, singer, screenwriter, and film producer associated with Marco Antonio, creating the famous comic duo and musical Viruta and Capulina. He was also nicknamed "The King of white humor" The duo started together in the Capulina and Don Viruta radio program. Both actors passed to a better world.
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Film
| Title / Description | Credits | Additional Notes (Medium, Location, etc) |
|---|---|---|
| Poster |
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- Mexico
Year(s)1968
Chapter / SubheadingFilm
Production / Project / ActivityVuelo 701
Name of Theatre / Venue / VehicleAcapulco, Mexico
RoleActress- Marta
Notes / Anecdotes
I met Eusebia Cosme in Acapulco, Mexico, during the filming of the film "Flight 701". I remember that we went for a walk and we both bought a piece of Mayan Art Crafts, which I still posses. Eusebia was very simple and kind; always with a smile and a flattering word.
I am pleased to tell you that Eusebia Adriana Cosme was born in Santiago de Cuba. As a child she was orphaned and a distinguished family took care of her In Havana. She studied music, speech and declamation. Her career as a performer of Afro-Antillean verse began in 1930. Eusebia designed her sets and wardrobe. She wrote poems and recited themes written by Hispanic poets like Nicolás Guillén, Felix B. Caignet (Cuba), Luis Pales Matos (Puerto Rico) and Andrés Eloy Blanco (Venezuela).
The poem "Black Angels" by Eloy Blanco was written for her. In 1937 she began her international career, visiting South America, the Caribbean, Europe and the United States; considered the most successful exponent of the African-Indian verse of Cuba. In New York, by 1940 she had her own radio show, "The Eusebia Cosme", on CBS, for “La Cadena de las Americas”, where she did dramatic reading and recited poems. Her husband Frederick Laviera died young.
In 1955 as an actress she joined a Mexican theater company. She made the film " The Pawnbroker " in 1964 and in 1966 she played Mother Dolores in " The Right to be Born " by Felix B. Caignet, winning several awards. She continued doing movies in Mexico.
Eusebia was also a singer, songwriter and painter of Abstract Art, with exhibitions in Washington, New York and Mexico. She died in 1976 in Miami, Florida, at the age of 65.
Reflections / Significant Moments
Film
| Title / Description | Credits | Additional Notes (Medium, Location, etc) |
|---|---|---|
| Poster |
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- Mexico
Year(s)1968
Chapter / SubheadingFilm
Production / Project / ActivityLas Impuras
Name of Theatre / Venue / VehicleMexico City
RoleCo-Star
Notes / Anecdotes
In 1969, I had a co-starring role in the film "Las Impuras", produced in Mexico & directed by Alfredo Crevenna.
Ana Luisa Peluffo, a Mexican actress had the lead. Ana Luisa has appeared in more than 200 films and television shows since 1949. She starred in the 1977 film “Paper Flowers” which l later did on stage, with Ricardo Matamoros, from Panama; in a bilingual production in 1982, at Miriam Colon's Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre, in NYC.
With us was Ofelia Medina who made her film debut in Mexico in 1968 and in Hollywood ten years later. In 1977 Ofelia portrayed Frida Kahlo in a film about the artist; and also in 1984, and again in 2000 Ofelia played Frida worldwide in the play “Cada quien su Frida.”
In the cast was also Enrique Aguilar; a handsome Mexican actor who passed on in 1971; unfortunately he was shot by accident while testing a weapon; he was only 36 years old. I had done two films with Enrique, and he was always sweet, charming and helpful. Bless you dear Enrique.
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Film
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- Mexico
Year(s)1968
Chapter / SubheadingFilm
Production / Project / ActivityLa Casa de las Muchachas
Name of Theatre / Venue / VehicleMexico City
RoleAmalia 'La Profe'
Notes / Anecdotes
As l said, my compatriot and great friend Fernando Cortés directed me in three films. This is one of them: "The House of Girls" here is the great Spanish actress Amparo Rivelles, Known as the "Queen of Mexican soap operas", but she Gained Also huge for her work in Popularity the cinema. Now to Italian / Mexican actress Maura Monti and to me. I remember seeing Dona Amparo Between scenes and if knitting we felt tired, she recommended a tail to give us energy.
Maria Amparo Rivelles Ladron de Guevara Began her career at the age of fourteen in the theatrical company of her famous mother; the first actress; Maria Fernanda Ladron De Guevara. One year later she filmed her first film. She later moved to America to work on Cuban Television and established her residence Then for twenty years I played in Mexico Where made many films and theater and famous soap operas. Her return to Spain Took place in 1979 as one of the MOST prestigious actresses in Spain. She was the first award-winning actress Goya Award With the from the Spanish Film Academy. Amparo rivelles left us in 2013.
Maura Monti is an Italian actress, WHO lived in Venezuela, but as a teenager arrived in Mexico and Became very famous in the 60s and 70 s Because of her extraordinary beauty. Maura was very successful as a model and as an actress Then. She married film director and later was Gilberto Gazcón Also as a TV Host Highlighted and journalist. Several times we worked together. Gazcon directed movie directed us in the Mexico / Hollywood, production "The Rage."
Reflections / Significant Moments
Film
| Title / Description | Credits | Additional Notes (Medium, Location, etc) |
|---|---|---|
| Film Still |
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- Mexico
- Fernando Cortés
Year(s)1969
Chapter / SubheadingFilm
Production / Project / ActivityBlue Demon Contra Las Invasoras
Name of Theatre / Venue / VehicleMexico City
RoleNora
Notes / Anecdotes
In the 1960s, l made two action films with iconic Mexican wrestling stars; one was Santo, el Enmascarado de Plata & the other was Blue Demon.
Alejandro Muñoz Moreno was Blue Demon. At a young age, Alejandro dropped out of school & his uncle gave him a job working on the railroad. His co-workers gave him the nickname 'Manotas', referring to his large, powerful hands.
From 1964 to 1977, Blue Demon starred in a total of 25 luchador ( Wrestling ) films. Of those 25 films, Santo co-starred with him in nine of them, though the two were never good friends in real life.
Apparently at 78 years old, Blue Demon suffered a fatal heart attack on a park bench near his home, after his regular morning training session at his Blue Demon Athletic Club, where he enjoyed teaching others his fighting skills.
Blue Demon was buried wearing his trademark blue mask, the mask he never removed in public as he always kept his true identity a secret.
l also acted a couple of times with Mexican actress Regina Torne, who made her acting debut in 1964, and has worked in over 30 films since then. Her most important role was acting with comedian actor Roberto Gómez Bolaños, in his popular series; El Chavo del Ocho.
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Film
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Tags / Keywords- Film
- Mexico
- Santo
- Horror Film
Year(s)1969
Chapter / SubheadingTV
Production / Project / ActivityPasion Gitana
Name of Theatre / Venue / VehicleMexico City
RoleCo-Star
Notes / Anecdotes
Caridad Bravo Adams was the most famous Latin American telenovela writer worldwide.
The Iconic writer was born in Cuba; her parents were actors. Leon Bravo, one of the pioneers of theater, radio and TV in Venezuela, was her brother. She published her first book Pétalos Sueltos; at 16; moving to Mexico City she obtained an acting role in her only film, "Corazón Bandolero". She returned to Cuba, where she wrote the radionovela "Yo No Creo en los Hombres". In Mexico, her "Pasión Gitana" was produced in 1968. Aaron Hernan and l, were the villains. It was produced by Ernesto Alonso, Xavier Rojas, a playwright & theatre director, was our director; Mr Rojas was my acting teacher at the Academia Teatral de la Asociación Nacional de Actores: the director of the Instituto then was actor Andrés Soler. Tere Velázquez & Aldo Monti had the leading roles in this popular Mexican telenovela.
Reflections / Significant Moments
TV- Novela
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Tags / Keywords- TV
- Mexico
- Telenovela
Year(s)1969
Chapter / SubheadingFilm
Production / Project / ActivityThe Fearmaker
Name of Theatre / Venue / VehicleMexico City
RoleActress- Juanita
Reflections / Significant Moments
Film
| Title / Description | Credits | Additional Notes (Medium, Location, etc) |
|---|---|---|
| Film Stills | Katy Jurado | English Mexico |
On the set of the Fear Maker/El Hacedor de Miedo, in Mexico, l am surrounded by friendly stars. Of course Katy Jurado stands out; She was a Mexican/Hollywood film, stage & TV actress. And as you already know, my Godmother when l started as an announcer at WADO Radio in NYC; later interviewing her again for my successful talk show.
Carlos East, Paul Picerni, Fernando Soler & Rafael Bertrand, a Cuban, TV & film actor, were all wonderful to work with.
But l was really impressed and still feel gratitude for Fanny Schiller; who would happily drive me home after the days filming.
I had worked with Fanny in 1968, on the telenovela, "Pasión Gitana"
Let me tell you about Fanny Schiller; who was an award-winning Mexican character actress, TV/film; also acted in operettas and musicals. Winning Awards in films. She co-created the Mex/Actor's Union/ANDA. Dubbing the voice of characters for Disney Studios releases in Spanish; the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella. The voice of Snapdragon in Alice in Wonderland, the fairy Flora in Sleeping Beauty. Her son Manolo Fabregas, was also an actor. Soon after finishing The Fearmaker/Hacedor de Miedo, Fanny passed on.
I remember her with joy. Blessings Fanny, Katy, Carlos James, Rafael and all the cast.
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Tags / Keywords- Film
- Mexico
- Horror Film
Year(s)1969-88
Chapter / SubheadingTV
Production / Project / ActivityPuerto Rican Day Parade NJ WMJU- Channel 47
Name of Theatre / Venue / VehicleNew Jersey
RoleCo-Host
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TV- 3 hours live transmission
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Tags / Keywords- Parade
- PR
- TV
- New Jersey
Year(s)1962
Chapter / SubheadingStage
Production / Project / ActivityEL Inciso Hache
Name of Theatre / Venue / VehiclePuerto Rico
RoleSupporting Actress
Reflections / Significant Moments
Stage- Theater Festival
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Tags / Keywords- Stage
- Festival
- Puerto Rico
Year(s)1962
Chapter / SubheadingStage
Production / Project / ActivityMaribel y La Extrana Familia
Name of Theatre / Venue / VehicleSan Juan, Puerto Rico
RoleLead
Reflections / Significant Moments
Stage
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Tags / Keywords- Puerto Rico
- Stage
Year(s)1963
Chapter / SubheadingStage
Production / Project / ActivityLa Barca Sin Pescador
Name of Theatre / Venue / VehicleNew York City
About the Theatre / Venue / Vehicle
"First play in Spanish to be presented in a recognized off Broadway Theatre," by John Mc Bride, New York Mirror Newspaper, May 12, 1963.
Midway Theatre, 420 West 42 Street.
CityNew York City
RoleLead
DirectorTony Osso
PlaywrightAlejandro Casona
Reflections / Significant Moments
Stage- Off Broadway, Theater Row
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Tags / Keywords- Off-Broadway
- New York
- Stage
Year(s)1964
Chapter / SubheadingStage
Production / Project / ActivityQue Me Toquen El Bandoneon
Name of Theatre / Venue / VehicleNew York City
RoleLead
Reflections / Significant Moments
Stage
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- New York
Year(s)1965
Chapter / SubheadingStage
Production / Project / ActivityEl Viejo Llego A Las Cuatro
Name of Theatre / Venue / VehicleBronx, New York
About the Theatre / Venue / Vehicle
Boulevard Theatre. Comedy in Spanish.
RoleLead
Reflections / Significant Moments
Stage
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Tags / Keywords- Bronx
- New York
- Spanish
- Stage
Year(s)1966
Chapter / SubheadingStage
Production / Project / ActivityAdam and Eva
Name of Theatre / Venue / VehicleLos Angeles
RoleLead
Reflections / Significant Moments
Stage-Million Dollar Theater
| Title / Description | Credits | Additional Notes (Medium, Location, etc) |
|---|---|---|
| Publicity Poster | ||
| Theater Marquee Picture |
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Additional Notes
The Million Dollar Theatre. Los Angeles, has been making history since it was opened by Sid Grauman in 1918 as L.A.'s first grand movie palace.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s the theater's owner, Frank L Fouce, a Latino, went on to found Spanish International Communications Corp. SIN TV. This company comprised the first group of Spanish language and UHF television stations in the US.
The Million Dollar Theatre and the Fouce Family were pioneers in the Spanish entertainment industry.
In the 60s l was signed to play opposite Carlos Baena, in Adan & Eva, on stage,
based on the film with the same name, and originally played by Carlos & Christian Martell. We performed the play for a weekend at The Million Dollar Theatre while on the screen they played my film "La Vendedora de Amor."
Little did l know that ten years later l would be working for the Anselmo/ Azcarraga/Fouce, SIN TV, Channel 41, in NY/NJ
Co-Hosting a talk show with Mexican Carlos Montalban.
And now l am thrilled and honored to be included in the new exhibit opening soon at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC:
"Escúchame, the History of Spanish Broadcasting in the USA. I am truly blessed!
About Carlos Baena: in 1956 he was acting in films. In the 70's he was a Professor of Art in Monterrey, while also producing Radio programs. In the 80s he did a Weekly TV Show and was a playwright and directer, while teaching at the School of Communication.
Carlos passed away in 2013.
Peace and love dear friend.
Tags / Keywords- Los Angeles
- Stage
Year(s)1966
Chapter / SubheadingStage
Production / Project / ActivityMaria Magdalena Pecadora
Name of Theatre / Venue / VehicleBronx, New York
About the Theatre / Venue / Vehicle
Passion Play in Spanish
RoleGilda Miros & Braulio Castillo
Reflections / Significant Moments
Stage
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Tags / Keywords- Stage
- New York
- Spanish
Year(s)1968
Chapter / SubheadingStage
Production / Project / ActivityUna Noche en su Casa Senora
Name of Theatre / Venue / VehicleMexico City
RoleLead
Notes / Anecdotes
Although the stage play “Una Noche En Su Casa” was a light vaudeville comedy; it was a theatrical hit in Mexico City in1968. I really enjoyed sharing the leads with Emilio Brillas. We had a terrific cast of funny veteran radio, stage & film actors & lovely female film actresses. I was able to work on a film during the day and then run to the theatre 6 nights a week for over four months.
Emilio Brillas was a master of comedy, with a long list of successful films & plays. Alfonso Zayas besides doing films & TV in Mexico, later on moved to Miami where he worked on TV. Polo Ortin was also very popular on Mexican TV & specialized in dubbing.
Pancho Cordova, was another dynamic & popular veteran actor. And I had worked with all the ladies on films, and enjoyed their company.
Reflections / Significant Moments
Stage
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Tags / Keywords- Mexico
- Stage
Year(s)1969
Chapter / SubheadingStage
Production / Project / ActivityQuiteselo Todo
Name of Theatre / Venue / VehicleMiami, Florida
RoleLead
Reflections / Significant Moments
Stage
Tags / Keywords- Florida
- Stage
- Vaudville
