Le mendiant de minuit

Much has been said pro or against this movie. What it is a fact is that it was internationally known thanks to a very well deserved distribution. It was the first Argentine picture to be nominated by the Academy in Hollywood. Time has preserved it. At least, partially. A gorgeous cinematography in black and white by Alberto Etchebehere and a good direction of actors make it worth to watch nowadays. On the other hand, the theater play by Brazilian Joracy Camargo has not aged well at all and its message looks quite old-fashioned. The story of the whore and the millionaire beggar falls through and not even the believable central couple -the competent Arturo de Córdova and Zully Moreno- can redeem it. Very good supporting cast headed by Enrique Chaico. There is a bonus and it is the music by Juan Ehlert which was used in some other productions of Argentina Sono Film. A first rate artist like Gori Muñoz was the author of the impressive settings. Unfortunately, after this film director Luis César Amadori sank into a sea of forgettable manufactures in order to amass quite a fortune. He and his wife -Zully Moreno- looked for exile in Spain after the 1955 coup. Both of them came back to Argentina in the 70s but they never again worked in their country of origin. A colourful note: the movie was re-released in the 60 s and 80 s to packed houses. abel posadas