During a travel from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro, the master and officers of a passenger vessel receive a radio message from Argentinean police. They are advised about the presence of an unknown spy on board. Meanwhile the clandestine Frederico (Oscarito) is helped by his friend Cléia (Eliana), who is dating the First Mate Alberto (Anselmo Duarte), and stays hidden in her cabin. Frederico finds the identity of the spy, Professor Scaramouche (José Lewgoy), and together with the ship's steward (Grande Otelo) and Cléia, try to get evidence to prove that Scaramouche is the wanted spy. Lots of confusion happen along the trip. This type of musical comedy (called `Chanchada da Atlântida') was very successful in Brazil of the 40's and 50's. The movie theaters were crowded by the public in this `golden age', avid to see these movies, which presented comedians such as `Grande Otelo' and `Oscarito'. These actors usually played together, like a `tropical' version of `Stan Laurel' and `Oliver Hardy'. The `chanchadas' were these naive low budget movies, full of songs, jokes and popular appeal. They were produced by the Brazilian studio `Atlântida', one of the greatest studios in Brazil. The Atlântida produced sixty-seven (67) films in twenty (20) years of activity. Most of its patrimony was destroyed, first in a fire in the studio in 1952, and then in a flooding in their storehouses in 1971. Nowadays, this type of naive movie is silly and very aged. However, it is a symbol of Brazilian culture `pre-McDonald's'. In a world with globalization, where we (viewers) buy lots of foreigner movies selling the culture of their countries, it is a great pleasure for me watching a genuine product `Made in Brazil'. This film was restored in 2000 and I saw it today on cable television. The DVD is completely `sold-out' and impossible to be found in the stores. This film is not indicated for all audiences, but it is mandatory for Brazilians and for those who appreciates cinema as the reflex of a culture of a country. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): `Aviso aos Navegantes' (` Warning to Those Who Navigates')
