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Hispanic-American Cinema
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Neither Amazon nor B&N nor Wikipedia have broken out separate categories for Hispanic-American cinema, but instead show Latin American cinema
as a category, which may or may not include U.S.-made movies with Hispanic or xicano themes. So the purpose of this page at Magic Lantern Video & Book Store is to
highlight the topic of U.S.-made movies with Hispanic themes, and the actors and other personnel involved.
browse Latin American Cinema DVDs at Amazon.com
Magic Lantern's Cinema of Mexico Page
Magic Lantern's Cinema of Spain/España Page
'Simultaneous Bilingual Film Production' Page
B o o k s
search for books about Hispanic-American cinema at Amazon
 | "Chicano Cinema: Research, Reviews, and Resources" [1985] Edited by Gary D. Keller Bilingual Press 10x6¾ pb [5/85] out of print/used Spanish translation "Cine Chicano" ISBN 9688054151 |
 | "The Bronze Screen: Chicana & Chicano Film Culture" [1993] by Rosa Linda Fregoso Univ MN Press 9x6 pb [10/93] for $18.50 Univ MN Press 8¾x6¼ hardcover [10/93] out of print/used |
 | "Hispanics and United States Film: An Overview & Handbook" [1994] by Gary D. Keller Bilingual Press 10x7 pb [7/94] for $21.00 |
 | "The Chicano/Hispanic Image In American Film" [1994] by Frank Javier Garcia Berumen Vantage Press 9½x6¼ hardcover [12/94] out of print/used |
 | "Hispanics In Hollywood: A Celebration of 100 Years In Film & Television" [1994] by Luis Reyes & Peter Rubie Lone Eagle 10x8 pb [10/2000] for $14.93 Garland Science 10x8 hardcover [11/94] out of print/used |
 | "Latino Images In Film: Stereotypes, Subversion & Resistance" [2002] by Charles Ramírez Berg Kindle Edition from Univ TX Press [9/2009] for $23.79 Univ TX Press 9x6 pb [8/2002] for $26.95 Univ TX Press 9½x6¼ hardcover [8/2002] out of print/used |
 | "Brown Celluloid: Latino/a Film Icons & Images In The Hollywood Film Industry" [2003] by Frank Javier Garcia Berumen Vantage Press 9x6 pb [9/2003] for $14.78 |
 | "Heroes, Lovers, and Others: The Story of Latinos In Hollywood" [2004] by Clara E. Rodriguez Oxford Univ Press 8¼x5¼ pb [2/2008] for $19.95 Smithsonian Institution Press hardcover [5/2004] for $26.95 |
 | "Legado Puertorriqueño en Hollywood: Famosos y Olvidados" [2010] by Miluka Rivera, Introduction by Henry Darrow book is Spanish-language softcover only; title translates as "Puerto Rican Heritage In Hollywood: Famous and Forgotten" Kumaras Center for Arts & Etiquette 11x8½ pb [10/2010] for $25.95 |
 | "Latino Los Angeles In Film and Fiction: The Cultural Production of Social Anxiety" [2011] by Ignacio López-Calvo Univ AZ Press 9x6 hardcover [2/2011] for $50.00 |
 | "Hollywood Latinos Offspring" [2012] by Miluka Rivera, Foreword by Ricardo Montalbán Strange package: The title derives from a poem and a television docudrama, the book is not about the children of Hispanic actors. Also, portions of this book are English translations from author Rivera's previous Spanish-only book "Legado Puertorriqueño" just above Kumaras Center for Arts & Etiquette 9¼x6 pb [5/2012] for $15.99 |
 | "Hidden Chicano Cinema: Film Dramas In The Borderlands" [2013] by A. Gabriel Meléndez (Professor at University of New Mexico) Kindle Edition from Rutgers Univ Press [8/2013] for $25.60 Rutgers Univ Press 9x6 pb [8/2013] for $26.95 Rutgers Univ Press 9x6 hardcover [8/2013] for $85.00 |
 | "The Classical Mexican Cinema: The Poetics of The Exceptional Golden Age Films" [2015] by Charles Ramírez Berg
Kindle Edition from Univ Texas Press [9/2015] for $23.70 Univ Texas Press 10x7 pb [9/2015] for $24.95 Univ Texas Press 10x7 hardcover [9/2015] for $75.00 |
Hispanic-American Arts Links
Simultaneous Bilingual Film Production
synopsis for completed screenplay "El Tigrón" by G.E. Nordell
Latin American Cinema entry at Wikipedia
Magic Lantern's Cinema of Mexico Page
Magic Lantern's Cinema of Spain/España Page
National Assn. of Latino Independent Producers [est. 1999]
National Hispanic Foundation For The Arts [est. 1997]
{traveling} Hispanic Cinema Museum based in Georgia
Latin-American Cinemateca of Los Angeles [est. 1997]
National Hispanic Cultural Center [est. 2000] in Albuquerque, NM
Nosotros: for Latinos/Hispanics in the entertainment industry [est. 1970]
MANA: A National Latina Organization [est. 1974] based in Washington, DC
MANA: A National Latina Organization [est. 1974] Albuquerque [NM] Chapter
Somos Primos [est. 1990] of The Society of Hispanic Historical & Ancestral Research [est. 1886]
International Latino Book Awards [May 2013 = #14] in New York City
Hispanic-American Racist Stereotypes in Media
Latina Women’s League [est. 2005] based in Florida
Azteca América [est. 2001] TV channel: official website •
entry at Wikipedia
Dish Latino satellite service: official website • no entry at Wikipedia
Dish México [est. 2008] satellite service: official website •
entry at Wikipedia
Latin America Film weblog [est. 4/2009]
'Spanglish.info' Spanish & English Language Services [est. 2006] of Chicago & Mexico
National Hispanic Heritage Month [est. 1968, expanded 1988],
which runs from September 15th to October 15th
Actors, Directors & Others, A to Z
Hispanic-American actors & actresses list at Wikipedia
film-maker Allison Anders
browse Allison Anders on DVD • IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
actor-director Alfonso Arau from Mexico
browse Alfonso Arau on DVD • IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
"Picking Up The Pieces" [Kushner-Locke TV movie May 2000]
Co-produced & directed by and co-starring Alfonso Arau; written by Bill Wilson; starring Woody Allen,
Sharon Stone, O'Neal Compton, Danny De La Paz, Andy Dick, Fran Drescher, Elliott Gould, Cheech Marin,
Lou Diamond Phillips, David Schwimmer, Pepe Serna & Kiefer Sutherland;
full credits from IMDb
actor Antonio Banderas from Spain
browse Antonio Banderas on DVD • IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
actress Adriana Barraza
actor Rubén Blades
Leo Carrillo [1880-1961]
no browse/Amazon entry • IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
starred as Pancho in five Cisco Kid films at United Artists and in the 1950-56 TV series
Leo Carrillo's Rancho de los Kiotes [est. 1937] near Carlsbad, CA
Leo Carrillo's custom 1948 Chrysler Town & Country convertible
"The California I Love" [1961] autobiography of Leo Carrillo
Prentice Hall 7x10 hardcover [1961] out of print/used
actress Penelope Cruz from Spain
browse Penelope Cruz on DVD • IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
actress Kate del Castillo
actress Dolores del Rio [1905-83]
actor Hector Elizondo
browse Hector Elizondo on DVD • IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
producer Moctezuma Esparza
IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
Esparza-Katz Productions, Inc.
Maya Entertainment
actress María Félix [1914-2002]
actress America Ferrera
no browse/Amazon entry • IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
documentary producer Hector Galán of Austin, Texas
IMDb listing •
production company Galán, Inc.
Martin Garralaga [1894-1981]
browse Martin Garralaga on DVD • IMDb listing • no entry at Wikipedia
starred as Pancho in Cisco Kid films at Monogram Pictures in the 1940s
actress-producer Salma Hayek
browse Salma Hayek on DVD • IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
Frida Kahlo Page at Spirit of America Bookstore
 | "Ask The Dust" feature film [Paramount March 2006] Written & directed by Robert Towne; based on the 1939 novel by John Fante [1909-83]; starring Colin Farrell, Salma Hayek & Donald Sutherland Paramount widescreen color DVD [7/2006] for $26.99 full credits from IMDb • official movie website watch official trailer [2:19] online at YouTube watch full movie [fuzzy 10/2015 upload; 2:08:43] online at YouTube |
actress Rita Hayworth [1918-87]
married 1943-48 to Orson Welles [1915-85]
actress Katy Jurado [1924-2002]
actress Eva Longoria
singer-actress Jennifer Lopez
browse Jennifer Lopez on DVD • IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
listed #10 on the Maxim Magazine Hot 100 (5/2011)
official Jennifer Lopez website
singer-actress Barbara Luna
Her heritage is Italian, Hungarian-Jewish, Spanish, Portuguese & Filipino; she has performed
since childhood on Broadway and in cabaret, movies & TV
browse Barbara Luna on DVD • IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
Richard Anthony 'Cheech' Marin
browse Cheech Marin on DVD •
IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
official Cheech Marin website 
Cheech's Private Stash commercial website
see also Cheech & Chong Section on Magic Lantern's Movie Series & Comedy Teams Page
 | "Born In East L.A." [Universal Aug 1987] An American of Mexican descent is caught up in an immigration raid on a factory, and deported to Mexico as an illegal immigrant. Having no proof that he is in fact an American citizen, he is forced to sneak back home to America • Written & directed by and starring Cheech Marin; also starring Paul Rodriguez, Daniel Stern, Kamala Lopez-Dawson, Jan-Michael Vincent & Chastity Ayala Universal widescreen color DVD [1/2003] for $9.99 Universal color VHS [4/2001] out of prodn/used full credits from IMDb |
 | "The Cisco Kid" tv movie [T.N.T. Feb 1994] Co-written & directed by Luis Valdez; starring Jimmy Smits & Cheech Marin Turner Home Video color VHS [9/95] out of prodn/used full credits at IMDb |
Chris-Pin Martin [1893-1953]
no browse/Amazon entry • IMDb listing • no entry at Wikipedia
starred as Gordito in Cisco Kid films at Fox in the 1930s
actor A Martinez
browse A Martinez on DVD •
IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
actress Eva Mendes
no browse/Amazon entry • IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
listed #18 on the Maxim Magazine Hot 100 (5/2011)
actress Carmen Miranda [1909-55] from Portugal & Brasil
actress Miroslava {Šternová} [1926-55]
actor Alfred Molina
browse Alfred Molina on DVD • IMDb listing •
Broadway credits •
Wikipedia
actor Ricardo Montalbán [1920-2009]
browse Ricardo Montalbán on DVD • IMDb listing •
Broadway credits •
Wikipedia
co-founder of Nosotros [est. 1970]
Ricardo Montalban Foundation [est. 1999]
Ricardo Montalban Theatre [built 1927, renamed 2004]
actor Esai Morales
browse Esai Morales on DVD • IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
actress Antonio Moreno [1887–1967]
born Antonio Garride Monteagudo in Spain; one of the silent era’s biggest male stars
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0603875/
films include "The Spanish Dancer" [1923]; "The Trail of The Lonesome Pine" [1923]; "The Border Legion" [1924]; "Mare Nostrum" [1926]; "It" [1927] with Clara Bow; "Santa" [directed; 1932] starring Lupita Tovar; "Notorious" [1946]; "The Creature From The Black Lagoon" [1954]; "The Searchers" [1955] with John Wayne
actress Catalina Sandino Moreno
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1503432/
dancer-actress Rita Moreno [b. 1931]
browse Rita Moreno on DVD •
IMDb listing • Broadway credits •
Wikipedia
P.B.S. 'Makers Profiles' short videos of Rita Moreno
director Gregory Nava
browse Gregory Nava on DVD • IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
silent-era star Ramón Novarro [1899-1968]
no browse/Amazon entry • IMDb listing • Wikipedia
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"Ramon Novarro: The Life & Films of The First Latino Hollywood Superstar" [2001] by Frank Javier Garcia Berumen Vantage Press pb [5/2001] for $10.63 |
 | "Beyond Paradise: The Life of Ramon Novarro" [2002] by Andre Soares St. Martin's Press 9¼x6¼ hardcover [12/2002] out of print/used |
"The Arab" [Metro 1924 silent] /tt0014679/
Once considered a lost film; Russian film archive Gosfilmofond digitally restored its prints and presented a copy
to U.S. Library of Congress in October 2010. Directed by Rex Ingram; starring Ramon Navarro & Alice Terry
director Frank Nuñez
IMDb listing
Magic Lantern's
Edward James Olmos Page
![won Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for "Viva Zapata!" [1952]](images/oscar_sm.gif) |
Anthony Quinn [1915-2001] browse Anthony Quinn on DVD • IMDb listing • Broadway credits • Wikipedia |
Hollywood Collection video
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"The Original Sin: A Self-Portrait" [1972] by Anthony Quinn Bantam mass pb [1/74] out of print/used Little, Brown hardcover [1/72] out of print/used Little, Brown hardcover [1/72] out of print/used |
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"The Films of Anthony Quinn" [1975] by Alvin H. Marill Citadel Press pb [2/77] out of print/used Lyle Stuart 11½x9¼ hardcover [5/75] out of print/used |
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"One Man Tango" [1995] by Anthony Quinn, with Daniel Paisner HarperCollins mass pb [11/96] out of print/used HarperCollins 9¾x6½ hardcover [8/95] out of print/used |
Duncan Renaldo [1904-80]
browse Duncan Renaldo on DVD •
IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
starred in Cisco Kid films in the 1940s at Monogram & United Artists
and in the 1950-56 TV series
Mexican-American superstar Jenni Rivera [1969-2012]
browse Duncan Renaldo on DVD •
official website •
IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
Announced 5/2016: Rivera tragically died in a plane crash at age 43, but multiple television projects and a new biopic feature film about the singer-actress are
currently in the works; the planned TV series is described as 'music-heavy' and 'based on the lives and stories of the Rivera Family as a musical dynasty'.
actress Michelle Rodriguez
film-maker Robert Rodriguez based in Austin, Texas
browse Robert Rodriguez on DVD • IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
official company Troublemaker Publishing {dead website? 3/2012}
Troublemaker Studios
Quick Draw Productions [est. 11/2010]
Based in Austin, Texas; partnership of Rodriguez, Gigi Pritzker (OddLot Entertainment), and Michel Litvak (Bold
Films) to develop, produce & fully finance action-oriented, 'commercial' independent films; Affinity Intl. will handle
foreign sales. Added 3/2012: Launch of Quickdraw Animation.
NOTE: Robert Rodriguez has no credibility; while movies do get produced, half of his announced movies
never even get on paper, and his websites are broken or outdated or useless.
Gilbert Roland [1905-94]
browse Gilbert Roland on DVD • IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
starred in Cisco Kid films in the 1940s at Monogram
Cesar Romero [1907-94]
browse Cesar Romero on DVD • IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
starred in Cisco Kid films at Fox in the 1930s
actor Jimmy Smits
browse Jimmy Smits on DVD • IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
actress Rachel Ticotin
browse Rachel Ticotin on DVD • IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
Lupita Tovar [b. 1910]
Danny Trejo
studio exec Joe Uva
pres/CEO Univision Communications, 2007-2/2011
hired 2/2013 for new position as Chairman of Hispanic Enterprises & Content at NBCU-TV (including Telemundo & mun2)
author-director Luis Valdez
browse Luis Valdez on DVD • books • IMDb listing • Broadway credits •
Wikipedia
actress Paz Vega from Spain
starred in "Novo" [2002], "Carmen" [2003], "Spanglish" [2004] & "The Spirit" [2008]
no browse/Amazon entry • official website •
IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
actress Lupe Vélez [1908-44] from Mexico
IMDb listing •
Wikipedia
 | "Mexican Spitfire Complete 8-Movie Collection" DVD Box Set [2011]
Warner Archives DVD set [5/2011] 4 disks for $35.63 contains eight feature films starring Lupe Vélez & Leon Errol: "The Girl From Mexico" [1939] co-starring Donald Woods; "Mexican Spitfire" [Jan 1940] co-starring Donald Woods & Cecil Kellaway; "Mexican Spitfire Out West" [Nov 1940] co-starring Donald Woods, Cecil Kellaway & Grant Withers; "Mexican Spitfire's Baby" [Nov 1941] co-starring Charles 'Buddy' Rogers, Zasu Pitts & Marion Martin; "Mexican Spitfire At Sea" [March 1942] co-starring Charles 'Buddy' Rogers, Zasu Pitts & Marion Martin; "Mexican Spitfire Sees A Ghost" [June 1942] co-starring Charles 'Buddy' Rogers & Mantan Moreland; "Mexican Spitfire's Elephant" [Sept 1942] co-starring Walter Reed; "Mexican Spitfire's Blessed Event" [July 1943] co-starring Walter Reed |
Historical & Fictional Figures
Simón Bolivar [1783-1830]
"Simón Bolívar" [Spain Oct 1969, USA dubbed 1972]
Directed by Alessandro Blasetti; starring Maximilian Schell, Rosanna Schiaffino & Francisco Rabal
DVD/Blu-ray not available •
full credits at IMDb
The Cisco Kid: Robin Hood of The Old West
at 'Readers of the Purple Sage' Western Bookstore
Emperor Maximilian [1832-67]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximillian_I_of_Mexico
Moctezuma II, Emperor of The Aztecs [c. 1466-1520]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moctezuma_II
revolutionary Francisco 'Pancho' Villa of Mexico [1878-1923]
credits at IMDb •
entry at Wikipedia
Pancho Villa Page at 'Readers of The Purple Sage' Western Bookstore
"Viva Villa !" [M.G.M. April 1934]
 | Directed by Jack Conway & Howard Hawks; starring Wallace Beery, Leo Carrillo & Fay Wray; Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Script, Best Sound, won for Best Asst Director
DVD not available (2011} • Warner Home Video b&w VHS [4/93] out of prodn/used full credits from IMDb • movie entry at Wikipedia |
revolutionary Emiliano Zapata Salazar [1879-1919]
"Viva Zapata !" [Fox 1952]
 | Directed by Elia Kazan; starring Marlon Brando, Jean Peters, Anthony Quinn & Joseph Wiseman; won Best Supporting Actor Oscar (AQ), nominated for Best Script (John Steinbeck), Best Actor (Brando), Best Music, Best Art Direction Fox Studio Classics b&w DVD [undated] for $17.63 Fox b&w VHS [6/2001] for $42.97 Verese soundtrack CD [3/98] out of prodn/used full credits from IMDb • movie entry at Wikipedia |
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'El Zorro' of Old California
at 'Readers of the Purple Sage' Western Bookstore
Documentary Videos & DVDs
 | "Viva la Causa, 500 Years of Chicano History" [indep 1995]
Un proyecto conjunte del Collison Course Video y Southwest Organizing Project Directed by Doug Norberg • not listed on IMDb color DVD available for $12.00 + s/h from Southwest Organizing Project Spanish-language color VHS [9/97] 2 tapes for $38.50 English-language color VHS [9/95] 2 tapes - out of prodn/scarce |
 | "Chicano! The History of The Mexican-American Civil Rights Movement" [P.B.S. / Galán Prodns April 1996] Produced by Hector Galán; narrated by Henry Cisneros; won Nosotros Golden Eagle Award video/DVD not available • credits from IMDb • producer website |
 | companion book [1996] by Francisco Arturo Rosales
Arte Publico Press 11x8½ pb [9/97] for $16.47 Arte Publico Press 11½x9¼ hardcover [3/96] out of print/used one of the books banned in January 2012 by the Tucson, Arizona Unified School District |
 | "Hispanic Hollywood" docu feature [2000] and "Fiesta" [1941]
Passport color DVD [5/2000] for $12.99 Passport color VHS [5/2000] 2 tapes / out of prodn/used documentary not listed at IMDb "Fiesta" musical film [Hal Roach/United Artists Nov 1941] Produced, directed & choreographed by LeRoy Prinz; starring Anne Ayars, Jorge Negrete, George Givot, Armida, Antonio Moreno, José Arias & the Guadalajara Trio; full credits at IMDb |
 | "Hispanic Hollywood, Then and Now: The Changing Image of Latinos On Film" [2000] Passport Video color DVD [8/2007] for $9.98 |
 | "The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of The Latino Image In American Cinema" [2002 documentary film] A film by Susan Racho, Nancy De Los Santos & Alberto Dominguez Questar color DVD [1/2003] for $22.99 Questar color VHS [1/2003] out of prodn/used full credits at IMDb • official movie site • Teachers Guide site |
 | "Bracero Stories" TV documentary [KCET-TV Nov 2008] Interviews of five participants in the U.S.-Mexico 'Bracero Program' of 1942-64, with comparison to America's current illegal immigration situation, including a possible new 'guest worker' program. Hour-long docufilm produced & directed by Patrick Mullins DVD/Blu-ray not available; • full credits at IMDb |
 | "C.N.N. Presents: Latino In America" cable special [C.N.N. Oct 2009] 4-hour, 2-part special hosted by Soledad O'Brien; directed by Alberto Ferreras; featuring Jesse Garcia, Miguel Govea, Mike Guzman, Eva Longoria Parker, George Lopez, Rick Najera, Edward James Olmos & Lupe Ontiveros DVD/Blu-ray not available • full credits at IMDb |
 | "The Latino List" [H.B.O. Sept 2011] documentary featuring interviews by broadcast journalists Maria Hinojosa & Sandra Guzman with fifteen of the nation's most successful Latinos, including actress Eva Longoria, Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, rapper Armando Christian Perez {aka Pitbull}, Raúl Yzaguirre, former HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros, Chi Chi Rodríguez, astronaut Jose Hernandez, John Leguizamo & actress America Ferrera; the film is also part of an exhibition at The Brooklyn Museum that ended in December 2011; directed by Vanity Fair photographer Timothy Greenfield-Sanders DVD/Blu-ray not available • full credits at IMDb |
Selected Hispanic-American Films
( in alphabetical order )
untitled Jennifer Lopez TV Project [Sony TV/Fox TV 2012?]
Announced 9/2011: Fox Television & Sony Pictures TV committed to the pilot project from from Jennifer Lopez &
producer Silvio Horta; the potential series centers on a Latino family with a group of sisters and their interconnected
love lives • no entry yet at IMDb
"... And The Earth Did Not Swallow Him"
[American Playhouse/KPBS-TV May 1995]
 | Marcos is the second son of a Texas Hispanic migrant farmworker family, following the seasonal harvest cycle to Minnesota, where he gets separated from his parents Co-produced, written & directed by Severo Pérez, based on the 1971 novel by Tomás Rivera; starring Jose Alcala, narrated by Miguel Rodríguez
Kino Intl. widescreen color DVD [11/2008] for $22.49 Kino Intl. color VHS [1/99] out of prodn/used full credits at IMDb |
 | "...y no se lo tragó la tierra" [YA novel 1971] by Tomás Rivera English titles "And The Earth Did Not Devour Him" or "This Migrant Earth" author Tomás Rivera [1935-84] entry at Wikipedia Arte Publico Press Spanish-language 8½x5½ pb [1996] for $7.95 Translation by Evangelina Vigil-Piñón Arte Publico Press bilingual edition 8½x5½ pb [5/95] for $9.99 Arte Publico Press bilingual edition 8¾x5½ library hardcover [8/87] for $19.64 |
"Bad Posture" [indep Aug 2011]
 | Filmed in Albuquerque, New Mexico; a bored teen goes along with his friend's schemes to make money during the summer vacation; unhappy at being a party to grand theft auto, he decides to track down the girl that the car was stolen from. Co-produced & directed by Malcolm Murray; writen by & starring Florian Brozek; also starring Tabatha Shaun, Ryan Jason Cook, Seth Mossman & Trey Cole
DVD/Blu-ray not yet available • credits at IMDb • official movie site |
"The Ballad of Gregorio Cortez"
[American Playhouse TV June 1982, Embassy theatrical Aug 1983]
 | Based on an incident in Gonzales, Texas in 1901 involving a stolen horse, mistaken identity and a killing; Olmos, as Cortez, speaks only Spanish.Co-produced by Moctesuma Esparza; co-written & directed by Robert M. Young; co-written by Victor Villaseñor, based on the book by Américo Paredes; co-produced by & starring Edward James Olmos; also starring James Gammon, Tom Bower, Bruce McGill, Brion James & Barry Corbin
not available on DVD; Columbia Tristar Home Ent. color VHS [undated] out of prodn/used 27"x40" poster from Amazon for $19.99 11"x17" poster from Amazon for $14.99 full credits from IMDb |
 | "With His Pistol In His Hand: A Border Ballad & Its Hero" [1958] by Américo Paredes [1915-99] Univ TX Press 8¾x6 pb [1/70] for $12.21 author entry at Wikipedia |
"Blood In, Blood Out" [1993] /tt0106469/
"Cantinflas" biopic [Kenio/Pantelion/LionsGate Aug 2014] 
 | Announced 3/2010 as being directed by Alejandro Gomez Monteverde; biopic of the comic stage actor [1911-93] who became a beloved movie star and a national hero in Mexico. Co-written & directed by Sebastian del Amo; co-written by Edui Tijerina; starring Óscar Jaenada, Michael Imperioli, Ilse Salas, Luis Gerardo Méndez, Gabriela de la Garza, Ana Layevska, Adal Ramones, Bárbara Mori & Rafael Amaya
DVD/Blu-ray not yet available • full credits at IMDb official movie site (redirects to Facebook in Spanish) watch official trailers at YouTube: trailer #1 [2:12] partly English • trailer #2 [2:24] Spanish-only |
"Casa de Mi Padre {House of My Father}"
[NALA/Pantelion March 2012]
 | Action comedy in the style of the overly-dramatic telenovela, set in Mexico (and filmed in California). The Alvarez family ranch is facing financial ruin; when younger brother Raul shows up with promises to pay off all debts, things are looking better. But Raul's hot fiancé falls for brother Armando and Raul's 'business success' turns out to be illegitimate, and the family quickly finds itself in an all-out war with Mexico's most-feared drug lord. Co-produced by & starring Will Ferréll; directed by Matt Piedmont; written by Andrew Steele; also starring Genesis Rodriguez, Gael García Bernal, Diego Luna, Nick Offerman, Efren Ramirez, Adrian Martinez, Pedro Armendáriz Jr., Mariann Gavelo, Alejandro Patino & John A. Lorenz
DVD/Blu-ray not yet available • full credits at IMDb • official movie site |
"Conquistadors" cable series [FX Network 2014?]
Announced 4/2013: An event series based on the Kim MacQuarrie book "Last Days of The Incas", telling the story of Francisco Pizarro & Diego de Almagro,
two Spanish Conquistadors who against incredible odds conquered the Incan empire of 10 million with just 168 men, and their puppet ruler Manco Inca Yupanqui,
who led a ten-year rebellion against the Spanish • not yet listed at IMDb
"East L.A. Marine: The Guy Gabaldon Story" [2008] /tt1265593/
The True Story of WWII Marine Who Singlehandedly Captured Over 1500 Japanese /B003V5FZ5Q/
"El Bienamado (The Beloved)" TV series [2017] /tt6428546/
Odorico, a mature man, wins the municipal presidency of a small town under the promise of building a graveyard; he has the help of three spinster sisters,
with whom he maintains a relationship, without each of them knowing about the others; M-F at 10/9c on UniMas; 97 episodes Jan-June 2017
"El Fuego Caliente (The Hot Fire)" remake of "Soapdish" [Paramount 2015?]
Announced 9/2010: Paramount will film a Latin-themed remake of the 1991 cult comedy that takes place
on the set of a telenovela, with hitmaker Rob Reiner set to produce •
latest info at IMDb
"El Super" [1979 classic] based on stageplay by Ivan Acosta
"El Tigrón (Like A Tiger)" [in development]
"El Tigrón" synopsis & script
"Filly Brown" [Cima/Indomina April 2013]
  | Poet and hip-hop artist Maria José ('Majo') gets a chance to record a demo, albeit by a small-time hustler; soon a major record label and its aggressive top exec want her to sign a contract. The money would certainly help her family out of poverty, but would she be selling out her community? Co-produced by Edward James Olmos, Michael D. Olmos, Mico Olmos & others; written & co-directed by Youssef Delara; co-directed by Michael D. Olmos; starring Gina Rodriguez {title role}, Jenni Rivera, Lou Diamond Phillips, Edward James Olmos
Indomina widescreen color Blu-ray [7/2013] for $15.99 Indomina widescreen color DVD [7/2013] for $12.33 full credits at IMDb |
"From Prada To Nada" [Pantelion Films Jan 2011]
 | A Latina version of Jane Austen's "Pride & Prejudice" set mostly in East Los Angeles. "A riches to rags story" The lives of two spoiled sisters in Beverly Hills are upended when their father suddenly dies, leaving them penniless. They are forced to move in with their estranged aunt who lives in the barrio in East Los Angeles ... • Directed by Angel Gracia; starring Camilla Belle, Alexa Vega, Wilmer Valderrama, Kuno Becker & Adriana Barraza
LionsGate widescreen color Blu-ray [5/2011] for $16.64 LionsGate widescreen color DVD [5/2011] for $14.99 full credits at IMDb • official movie site |
"Hell To Eternity" [Allied Artists Sept 1960]
 | True life story of Guy Gabaldon [1926-2006], a Hispanic boy raised in Los Angeles by a Japanese-American foster family. During World War II, his foster parents were sent to an internment camp, and he enlisted in the U.S. Marines. His ability to speak Japanese was useful during the bloody capture of the island of Saipan: he convinced 1,500 Japanese soldiers & civilians to surrender after their general committed suicide. Gabaldon was awarded the Navy Cross & the Congressional Medal of Honor. Directed by Phil Karlson; starring Jeffrey Hunter (as PFC Gabaldon), David Janssen, Vic Damone, Patricia Owens, Sessue Hayakawa & Miiko Taka
Warner Home Video b&w DVD [6/2007] for $15.99 Fox b&w VHS [11/91] out of prodn/used full credits at IMDb • movie entry at Wikipedia novelization by Edward S. Aarons Fawcett Gold Medal mass pb [1960] out of print |
"La Bamba" [1987] /tt0093378/
"La Mission" [Global Cinema Distribution April 2010]
 | Filmed in San Francisco, California; a very macho Xicano father living in the Mission District gets out of prison and gets a job driving a bus, joining with his friends after work to fix up lowrider cars; when he discovers that his beloved teenage son is gay, he beats the boy and locks him out of the house. Co-produced, written & directed by Peter Bratt; co-produced by & starring Benjamin Bratt; also starring Jeremy Ray Valdez, Max Rosenak, Erika Alexander, Patrick Shining Elk, Talisa Soto, Jesse Borrego, Kevin Michael Richardson & Ruben Gonzalez
DVD/Blu-ray not yet available full credits at IMDb • movie entry at Wikipedia • official movie site |
"Libertador" [release 2013?]
Announced 6/2012: A film about Latin America’s successful struggle for independence from the Spanish Empire (circa 1809-33), from the point of view of Venezuelan
military & political leader Simón Bolivar [1783-1830]; script by Timothy J. Sexton to be directed by Alberto Arvelo; Edgar Ramirez is signed for the role of Bolívar, with
Danny Huston, Gary Lewis, María Valverde & Imanol Arias; Venezuelan Gustavo Dudamel, music director at the Los Angeles Philharmonic and of the Simon Bolivar
Symphony Orchestra, will compose the music; to be filmed in Spain & Venezuela •
latest info at IMDb
"Machete" [Troublemaker / Fox Sept 2010]
 | Basically a live-action cartoon. The Machete character's backstory includes three "Spy Kids" movies; this time he is hired to assassinate an anti-immigration state senator in Texas but discovers that he has been set up, barely surviving a sniper's bullet. He gets help from The Network (local activists) and a p*ssed-off I.C.E. agent, and his brother (a priest) to remove the politically-connected conspirators who murdered his wife & family and continue to send killers to stop him. Co-produced by Quentin Tarantino & Robert Rodriguez; co-directed by Robert Rodriguez & Ethan Maniquis; co-written by Robert Rodriguez & Álvaro Rodríguez; starring Danny Trejo, Robert De Niro, Jessica Alba, Steven Seagal, Michelle Rodriguez, Jeff Fahey, Cheech Marin, Don Johnson, Lindsay Lohan & Tom Savini Fox widescreen color Blu-ray [6/2016] for $7.49 Sony Pictures Home Ent. UK widescreen color Blu-ray [12/2012] for $10.73 Fox widescreen color DVD [1/2011] for $5.99 full credits at IMDb • full credits at IMDb • movie entry at Wikipedia • official movie site watch 7/2010 official trailer [2:00] online at YouTube |
"Maria Full of Grace" [2004]
"Mi Familia" [1995] by Gregory Nava /tt0113896/
"Mi Vida Loca" [1993] by Allison Anders /tt0107566/
"The Milagro Beanfield War"
[Esparza / Universal March 1988]
Filmed in New Mexico (Truchas, Los Alamos & Española); co-produced & directed by Robert Redford; based on the novel by John Nichols; starring John Heard, Rubén
Blades, Richard Bradford, Sonia Braga, Julie Carmen, James Gammon, Melanie Griffith, Carlos Riquelme, Daniel Stern, Chick Vennera, Christopher Walken, Freddy Fender,
Tony Genaro, Jerry Hardin, Ronald G. Joseph, Mario Arrambide, Robert Carricart, M. Emmet Walsh & Lupita the Pig; won Oscar for Best Original Score • full credits at IMDb
"Quinceañera" [2006] http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0451176/
"Real Women Have Curves" [Newmarket Films Nov 2002] /tt0296166/
"Salsa" [] musical by Kenny Ortega
"Salt of The Earth" [March 1954]
 | A fictional, neo-realist-style tale about oppressed Hispanic-American zinc miners in New Mexico, who go on a strike led mostly by the women. The pro-labor stance and the alleged ties of many of the filmmakers caused the film to be the only officially-blacklisted movie in American history. Directed by Herbert J. Biberman [B]; script by Michael Biberman & Michael Wilson [B]; produced by Paul Jarrico [B]; starring Will Geer [B]; listed on National Film Registry in 1992 {NOTE: Blacklisted members of the cast & crew are indicated with '[B]'.}
Pioneer b&w DVD [3/99] out of prodn/used Harbor Electronic multimedia booklet & CD-ROM [12/2000] for $29.97 "Salt of the Earth" credits from IMDb • movie entry at Wikipedia |
more details (synopsis, books, posters, links) on
Magic Lantern's "Salt of The Earth" 1954 Movie Page
"Selena" biopic
"Spanglish" [2006] /B0007OCG56/ + /tt0371246/
Directed by James L. Brooks; starring Adam Sandler, Téa Leoni, Paz Vega, Shelbie Bruce & Cloris Leachman
"Spoken Word" [Luminaria; festivals 2009, theatrical July 2010]
 | Can't call this low-budget film a masterpiece, but it is absolutely a work of art. Filmed in Chimayo, Española, Santa Fe & Truchas, New Mexico; a star on the West Coast poetry circuit gets a call that his father is fatally ill; he returns to his once-bucolic hometown in New Mexico, which is now ravaged by poverty, drug abuse and violence. Co-written & co-produced by William T. Conway; directed by Victor Nunez; starring Kuno Becker, Miguel Sandoval, Rubén Blades, Persia White, Tony Elias & Monique Gabriela Curnen
full credits at IMDb • official movie site |
"They Call Me La Lupe" [indep 2013?]
Announced 3/2013: Producers raised over $100,000 on Kickstarter to help finance a film based on the life of Cuban-American
pop singer Lupe Yoli; produced by & starring Lauren Veléz; written & directed by James Manos Jr. • not yet listed at IMDb
"The Torch" [Eagle-Lion 1950] /tt0041971/
set during the Mexican Revolution & filmed in Mexico; co-written & directed by Emilio Fernández;
starring Paulette Goddard & Gilbert Roland
"Ugly Betty" hit TV series [2006-2010]
Based on the Columbian telenovela "Yo Soy Betty La Fea"; co-exec produced by Salma Hayek &
Silvio Horta; starring America Ferrera • series credits at IMDb
"Violeta Went To Heaven"
[Chile Aug 2011, Kino Lorber USA Fall 2012?]
Announced 8/2012: Kino Lorber has acquired North American rights and are planning Nov-Dec release, with expansion
& VOD option in 2013; won the Sundance World Cinema Dramatic Jury Prize; directed by Andrés Wood, title
character Violeta del Carmen Parra Sandoval [1917-1967] is portrayed by Francisca Gavilán
movie credits at IMDb •
official movie site
"The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit"
[Touchstone Jan 1998]
 | Barrio con-man Gomez convinces four strangers to pool $20 each to buy a luminescent vanilla ice-cream-colored suit; he intends to split for El Paso, well-dressed. The first night, each gets the suit for an hour, and each is transformed: Dominguez with his guitar & voice charms women who dance in a parade through the plaza; Martinez's turn gets his lovely neighbor's attention; street poet Villanazul captures a crowd with his political and economic vision. The suit makes Gomez a better man, so he may not bolt; but then, what do they do with the last partner, the filthy ¡Vamanos!, whose juicy-taco-eating, wine-drinking habits could ruin the suit? Directed by Stuart Gordon; script by Ray Bradbury, based on his story & stageplay; starring Edward James Olmos, Joe Mantegna, Esai Morales, Clifton Collins Jr. & Gregory Sierra
Walt Disney Video color DVD [8/99] out of prodn/scarce Touchstone color VHS [8/99] out of prodn/many used Bantam pb playscript [1972] out of print/used full credits from IMDb |
"Zoot Suit" [Universal 1981]
 | A landmark of Latino/Xicano arts. First staged as a play in 1978, this is a filming of that play; the 'stylized musical' tells of anti-Xicano riots in Los Angeles in 1942 against a backdrop of swing music & dance. The sensational performance of Edward James Olmos shows why he is today's leading Hispanic actor. Written & directed by Luis Valdez
Universal widescreen color DVD [5/2003] for $9.99 Universal color VHS video [4/2001] out of stock/used full credits from IMDb; credits on Broadway |
 | "Murder At The Sleepy Lagoon: Zoot Suits, Race & Riot In Wartime L.A." [2003] by Eduardo Obregón Pagán "an important and illuminating contribution ... a wholly compelling glimpse of the reality behind the myth" — Jonathan Kirsch, Los Angeles Times Book Review Univ NC Press 9¼x6¼ pb [11/2003] for $13.97 Univ NC Press 9¾x6¼ hardcover [11/2003] for $49.95 |
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'Simultaneous Bilingual Film Production' Page
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