The Girl from Mexico (1939)

The Girl from Mexico (1939). 1h 11m | Passed

“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 heu0026#39;s engaged to a snobby socialite (Linda Hayes). So Carmelita conspires with Dennisu0026#39; uncle (Leon Errol) to make Dennis jealous and win his affections. The first movie in the Mexican Spitfire series, although it wasnu0026#39;t intended as such. This was a surprise hit which led to the sequels. Itu0026#39;s not a series I particularly love but I think this is my favorite of the bunch, primarily because it feels less formulaic and itu0026#39;s the only one where Lupe Velez actually feels like the star. In the subsequent movies Leon Errolu0026#39;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.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eVelez is an acquired taste for sure. Sheu0026#39;s basically a combination of Ricky and Lucy Ricardo (predating I Love Lucy, of course). I like her in this movie, though. Maybe itu0026#39;s because in the sequels she seemed to be repeating lines and routines in every movie but here she hadnu0026#39;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 Errolu0026#39;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.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eItu0026#39;s an enjoyable lightweight B comedy. I can see why they thought it would make a good series but it really didnu0026#39;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.”