Sarumba

Photographed entirely in Cuba, according to the opening card. Hildita (Doris Dowling) bombs as a singer at the Cuban nightclub, and meets up with Joe (Tommy Wonder), the guy who came to her rescue in the club. Joe is a sailor, and due to leave in the morning. Joe shows her a couple songs and dance numbers, and helps her spiff up her act. Fun, flashy costumes, cuban style. The story is pretty bland. We want her to get together with Joe, but Señor Valdez also has his eye on her... but just what for? Written by Jay Victor. Not much about him anywhere. This seems to be the only thing he did. Also the last film role for Wonder. Although, according to wikipedia, Wonder was really a professional dancer, so apparently he concentrated on that, rather than film roles after this. Directed by Marion Gering. Made tons of stuff in the 1930s, but then disappeared for 15 years. did a few more things. like this. It's ok. Some fun scenery of cuba. jai alai, which you hardly ever see in films.

Sailor Tommy Wonder jumps ship in Havana to pursue night club entertainer Doris Dowling. Soon, he's cut out by rich local Michael Whelan.

It's an Eagle-Lion release that had sat in the vaults for three years, meaning it was considered so bad that PRC, even the New PRC wouldn't release it. Given its outdated plot and mediocre, uncredited choreography, I can see why, although it's clear that cinematographer Don Malkames gave it the old college try with a restless camera. But the over-the-top costumes can't disguise that director Marion Gering was seeking redemption for his blah Rhumba in the 1930s.

Tommy Wonder was pushed into show business at an early age by an adoptive mother. He showed up in at least a couple of Baby Peggy shorts, and did a stint as a juvenile in the mid-1930s. He died in 1993 at the age of 79.