The Girl from Mexico

"Jumpin Butterballs!"... that's what Donald MacBride always said in the Marx Brother films. Here, he's Renner, show biz agent, trying to track down new acts and stars. Co-stars Leon Errol and Donald Woods. This was the original film, turned into a series of films starring Lupez Velez. Audiences just loved the silliness, and "Carmelita" would mix up her english and spanish sayings to turn a phrase. and the six day bicycle races! w.c. fields talked about them in "international house". who knew they were such a big deal?? although there wasn't much else to do in those days. the plot kind of goes all over the place, Carmelita comes to the U.S. and experiences everything there is. and her man-friend get so jealous. She'll make it big in radio if she doesn't get sent back to Mexico! Fun adventure.

Lupe Vélez was the greatest! A staggering natural talent.

Only goof I found in the movie is near the beginning when he throws the towel slower than it actually hits her.

Lupe Vélez is so much fun here, and even though what would launch the 'Spitfire' series has the feel of a B movie, I found myself really enjoying it because of her. Her character has been brought to New York as a prospective singer by a talent scout, but she wants to see the town, so cajoles his uncle into taking her to a baseball game, wrestling match, and six-day bicycle race. In delightful ways, she mocks those who put on airs or try to control her, and sensing an attraction with the scout (even though he's engaged), begins trying to make him think she's seeing other men to make him jealous.

It's a simple story and pretty clear where it's going, but it's far from stupid (unlike the first sequel, which I saw before this one), and it's well told over its short 71 minutes. Mercifully there is less "fiery Latina" stereotypical behavior and simply more playfulness, and Vélez is absolutely charming. She's such a natural in her comedy and flirtation that it's quite a shame that this wasn't a more developed vehicle, and that even as it is, that it's not more highly regarded. I also really liked Leon Errol as the uncle here, who played off her beautifully, so much so that the thought occurred to me that it would have been wild if their characters had ended up together. Donald Woods is clearly the weak link, but the film succeeds because of Vélez and Errol.

This film, without a doubt, is the best MS film! Lupe Velez is refreshing in this role, and even gets to do some musical numbers (ala' Carmen Meranda).

As the series went on, it was reduced to Lupe constantly screaming at her hubby, & Leon Errol lurching around in the (tiresome) "Lord Epping" routine (which often over-shadowed the series). A "Must See" !!! Norm

Wooden American publicity agent Dennis Lindsay (Donald Woods) meets loud and feisty Mexican singer Carmelita Fuentes (Lupe Velez) and brings her to the States. Carmelita quickly falls for Dennis but he only seems to have business on his mind. Plus he's engaged to a snobby socialite (Linda Hayes). So Carmelita conspires with Dennis' uncle (Leon Errol) to make Dennis jealous and win his affections. The first movie in the Mexican Spitfire series, although it wasn't intended as such. This was a surprise hit which led to the sequels. It's not a series I particularly love but I think this is my favorite of the bunch, primarily because it feels less formulaic and it's the only one where Lupe Velez actually feels like the star. In the subsequent movies Leon Errol's role would increase where he would basically become the real star, often playing more than one role in each film. Velez would just go through the motions in the subplot, which was usually a variation of the same thing: Carmelita gets angry and leaves Dennis but eventually the two reunite.

Velez is an acquired taste for sure. She's basically a combination of Ricky and Lucy Ricardo (predating I Love Lucy, of course). I like her in this movie, though. Maybe it's because in the sequels she seemed to be repeating lines and routines in every movie but here she hadn't perfected her persona yet so it feels a bit more natural. She also sings and dances in this one, which is a nice plus. For his part Donald Woods plays to his strengths (?) as a stiff wooden leading man. It somehow works contrasted with Velez screaming half her lines. Leon Errol's Uncle Matt is fun and easily the most likable person in the movie. Linda Hayes and Elisabeth Risdon round out the main cast. Hayes is OK playing a villainess but Risdon is a tough pill to swallow. Her character is just the worst. Ward Bond has a small role as a wrestler named Mexican Pete.

It's an enjoyable lightweight B comedy. I can see why they thought it would make a good series but it really didn't. They had no ideas and basically repeated plots and relied heavily on vaudevillian Errol to provide laughs. This first one is the best because it feels the most fresh. Still nothing exceptional.