PROFILPELAJAR.COM

Mexican Spitfire
Mexican Spitfire
	Promotional poster of the film
Directed by	Leslie Goodwins; James Anderson (assistant)
Written by	Charles E. Roberts and Joseph Fields
Produced by	Cliff Reid
Starring	Lupe Vélez; Leon Errol; Donald Woods
Cinematography	Jack MacKenzie
Music by	Paul Sawtell
Distributed by	RKO Radio Pictures
Release date	January 12, 1940;
Running time	67 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$106,000
Box office	$102,000

Mexican Spitfire is a 1940 American comedy film starring Lupe Vélez. She plays a hot-headed, fast-talking Mexican singer taken to New York for a radio gig, who decides she wants the ad agency man for herself. The film was the sequel of the film The Girl from Mexico (1939) and was the first of a film series of seven more films with the same title and main characters.

A sneak preview of the film in December 1939 prompted RKO to order three more in the series.^[2]

Plot

Newlyweds Dennis and Carmelita have several obstacles to deal with in their new marriage: Carmelita's fiery Latin temper, a meddling aunt and a conniving ex-fiancee who is determined to break up their marriage.

Cast

Lupe Vélez as Carmelita Fuentes
Donald Woods as Dennis 'Denny' Lindsay
Leon Errol as Uncle Matthew 'Matt' Lindsay
Elisabeth Risdon as Aunt Della Lindsay
Linda Hayes as Elizabeth Price
Cecil Kellaway as Mr. Chummley
Charles Coleman as Bosby - the Butler

Reception

Variety called it "a neat concoction of comedy situations; running through many old, but still good. Mack Sennett routines in a zippy and zestful unwinding. Even custard pies and mushy pastries are tossed around with abandon for a rousing climax and a roaring reception."^[3]

Notes

First official entry in the series is a retread of The Girl from Mexico, but shifts focus from bland leading man Woods to hilarious Errol in dual role of Uncle Matt and the tipsy Lord Epping. The film was succeeded by another 6 films:

Mexican Spitfire Out West (1940)^[4]
The Mexican Spitfire's Baby (1941)
Mexican Spitfire at Sea (1942)
Mexican Spitfire Sees a Ghost (1942)
Mexican Spitfire's Elephant (1942)
Mexican Spitfire's Blessed Event (1943)

References

^ ^a ^b Richard Jewell & Vernon Harbin, The RKO Story. New Rochelle, New York: Arlington House, 1982. p144
^ "That Good". Variety. December 6, 1939. p. 3.
^ "Mexican Spitfire". Variety. December 13, 1939. p. 11.
^ Mexican Spitfire Out West at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films