Review by ma-cortes

It starts at the beginning of the 20th century, when an emigrant arrives in his native Cádiz, after a successful American tour with his musical show. On the solitary deck of the passenger ship, the friendly old man contemplates the city and listens, excited, to the distant echo of the festivities. He almost cries, he feels that he does not want to go down to dry land, he is afraid of facing the total absence of his loved ones. He was an emigrant for so many years. He begins by remembering his past life, then we go back to the late 19th century when he returns as a soldier from the Cuban War with a group of soldiers. Already on the same ship he sang with the regiment of soldiers a song glorifying Spain.

The film exposes a bustling Cadiz, while celebrating its typical carnival festivities: chirigotas, dances, choirs, masks, and spectacular parades, an impressive image of typicality and color. Showing the beautiful city expanding the colorful bustle that reaches the docks. This is a musical melodrama made with sufficient resources, taking into account the limited budgets typical of Spanish cinema at that time. Despite taking place in an age of great migratory flow of Spaniards to Europe, the film focuses on the migrations of previous generations, especially those who traveled to Cuba. This is a true recital for the showcasing of the songs performed by Juanito Valderrama that completely fill the film. The songs are as follows: "España, tierra bendita", Lyrics by Antonio Quintero, Music by Juan Solano, performed by Juanito Valderrama. "Qué buen mozo eres" Lyrics by Antonio Quintero, Music by Juan Solano, performed by Juanito Valderrama. "Niña gaditana" , Lyrics by Antonio Quintero, Music by Juan Solano, performed by Juanito Valderrama. "Que lo domine un querer" Lyrics by Antonio Quintero, Music by Juan Solano, performed by Juanito Valderrama. "Mirarla por Dios, señores", Lyrics by Antonio Quintero, Music by Juan Solano performed by Juanito Valderrama. "Ay qué buena jarana" Lyrics by Antonio Quintero, Music by Juan Solano, performed by Juanito Valderrama. "A Cádiz le echaban flores", Lyrics by Antonio Quintero, Music by Juan Solano, performed by Juanito Valderrama. "Novia de un amigo mío", Lyrics by Antonio Quintero, Music by Juan Solano, performed by Juanito Valderrama. "El emigrante", Lyrics and music by Juanito Valderrama, M. Pitto, and Niño Ricardo (as M. Serrapi), performed by Juanito Valderrama. This is the second of the 6 films that Valderrama stars in after ¨The King of the Highway¨. For lovers of this type of genre, the film also has a couple of dances by Dolores Abril (Juanito's love partner, who at the time caused quite a scandal, the reason for he was married) and a dance by Paco de Ronda. Along with Juanito Valderrama there are a series of notable Spanish performers giving decent performances, such as: Julio Núñez, Silvia Solar, Dolores Abril, Francisco Piquer, Rogelio Madrid, José Marco, Emilio Fábregas, Marta Flores and José María Caffarel.

The film was regular and professionally directed by Seabastián Almeida. He was usually direction assistant in various films shot by Paul Naschy, such as: El Huerto del Francés, Madrid al desnudo, El Caminante, Los Cántabros, El carnaval de las bestias . And directed some films, such as: Vacío en el alma (1971) , Una herencia es Cartagena (1968), El emigrante (1959), Canto para ti (1959). Rating: 5.5/10. The film is acceptable but only for Juanito Valderrama fans.