Republic studio's attempt to produce an A musical at the height of world war 2 when MGM's reign dominated the genre, while 20th Century Fox was cherishing their domination over the Latin world in producing colorful spectacles with song. It's the story that hurts this one, not to mention the eternal stereotype of the happy Hispanic, the non- stop fiesta world and abundance of colorful characters in all age groups. It might have been a good will gesture, but it did a disservice in not taking them seriously, especially in a time that the world was turning miserably upside down.
Veteran actress Virginia Bruce plays an American author visiting Rio who expects to learn all she can about thus huge paradise as she believes in a very short span of time. She hires Tito Guizar as her guide, thinking he's just a struggling street singer, unaware that he's a popular night club performer. Guuzar further complicates things by pretending to be two people, performing for her as his real identity, all the while romancing her under the guise of the struggling guide and street singer. One of the highlights is a tram ride past the statue of Christ the Redeemer, built more than a decade before, and equally profound in black and white as it is in color.
Mixing in specialty numbers along with the Mexican born Guizar's songs, this includes the Oscar nominated "Rio De Ginaro". Edward Everett Horton provides amusing comic relief as the teller of tall tales while trying to break up Bruce and Guizar, even going as far as telling her a vicious lie about him. Robert Livingston, Republic picture's forgotten leading man, plays an American suitor of Bruce's obviously jealous of Guizar and Bruce's relationship. A cameo from Roy Rogers is really nothing but a waste of credit space, even though he does sing one song. However, a lavish carnival sequence makes up for flaws, even though it screams for color.
Veteran actress Virginia Bruce plays an American author visiting Rio who expects to learn all she can about thus huge paradise as she believes in a very short span of time. She hires Tito Guizar as her guide, thinking he's just a struggling street singer, unaware that he's a popular night club performer. Guuzar further complicates things by pretending to be two people, performing for her as his real identity, all the while romancing her under the guise of the struggling guide and street singer. One of the highlights is a tram ride past the statue of Christ the Redeemer, built more than a decade before, and equally profound in black and white as it is in color.
Mixing in specialty numbers along with the Mexican born Guizar's songs, this includes the Oscar nominated "Rio De Ginaro". Edward Everett Horton provides amusing comic relief as the teller of tall tales while trying to break up Bruce and Guizar, even going as far as telling her a vicious lie about him. Robert Livingston, Republic picture's forgotten leading man, plays an American suitor of Bruce's obviously jealous of Guizar and Bruce's relationship. A cameo from Roy Rogers is really nothing but a waste of credit space, even though he does sing one song. However, a lavish carnival sequence makes up for flaws, even though it screams for color.