LATIN LOVERS
US, 1953, 106 minutes, Colour.
Lana Turner Ricardo Montalban, John Lund, Louis Calhern, Jean Hagan, Eduard Franz, Beulah Bondi, Rita Moreno.
Directed by the Mervyn le Roy.
Latin Lovers is a quite sumptuous MGM film of 1953, romance with the touch of comedy. It is a star vehicle for Lana Turner (and her costumes and dresses). Her leading man, the Latin lover, is played by Ricardo Montalbano. John Lund appears as a stuffy millionaire who is the alternate husband. There is a bright supporting cast led by Louis Calhern as a roué grandfather, Jean Hagan as Lana Turner’s secretary, Eduard Franz as a psychiatrist, and veteran Beulah Bondi as a psychiatrist as well. And the young girl dancing the samba with Ricardo Montalban is, in fact, Rita Moreno.
This is an affluent world, Lana Turner as a billionaire as is John Lund. But she is unsure about marrying him and accompanies him to Brazil where the air is different and she is immediately charmed by the owner of horses at his ranch. The rest is somewhat predictable although enjoyable in its way, with quite a number of witty lines from Isabel Lenart, to add to the entertainment. The problem is what man would marry a woman who has $37 million?
Whether the final solution in terms of motivation to marriage is credible, is a question that romantics will not worry about before the happy ending, to the tune of a very catchy song, dancing to a samba, which recurs with its Latin lilt.
1. An MGM romance of the 1950s? Colour, style, production values, cast, music, costumes and decor?
2. The total, the tone, Roberto and Brazil, the contrast between the American businessman and his style? The romantic versus the non-romantic?
3. New York, the city, business offices, apartments? The contrast with Brazil, the city, hotels, the open spaces, the horses and the ranch, an affluent
Brazil? The musical score, the main theme, lyrics, dancing, the lilt?
4. Norah, age, beauty, style, coming to the office, chairing the meeting, her strong decisions?
5. Norah going to the psychiatrist, her confusion, worried about marriage, whether she loved Paul or not? The personality of the psychiatrist, his wife phoning him, analysing why the child chose to swallow something, the later scenes at home with Norah’s phone calls, his wife and her sardonic remarks? Her later going to another psychiatrist?
6. Paul, millionaire, shipping and railroads, his stiff manner, demanding, not emotional or romantic? Wanting to marry Norah? Friendship with her, taking her dancing? His going to his psychiatrist, her listening, advice to take things slowly? His putting this into practice, controlling himself? His polo playing, his continued injuries? The decision to go to Brazil?
7. Norah, hearing about Brazil, deciding to go, with her secretary, the secretary and her devotion? The hotel, ringing Paul, the invitation to dinner, his being injured again? Going to the ranch, being bored? seeing Roberto on the horse? Following him into the stable, his kissing her? The effect? Her coming back in the night, his singing and dancing, the samba, his demonstration with the girl, dancing with Norah? Norah completely being in love? Having t Paul to his dinner guest?
8. The grandfather, debonair, his style and interests, wit, charm? His encouraging Roberto?
9. Norah and her doubts, about the money, not telling Roberto until later, her suspicions? The grandfather and his response? Asking Paul for his advice? Ever-ready with his counsel?
10. Roberto, romance, songs, playing polo, his attitude towards the money? Accepting it? Making Norah more suspicious? Her decision to give everything away? Roberto’s reaction? Grandfather’s reaction?
11. Norah and her continually ringing the psychiatrist? Her going to the engagement announcement, being upset, leaving? Roberto and his giving up, his grandfather’s criticism?
12. The secretary, her love for Paul, pursuing him? Norah’s gift of the wardrobe?
13. Money being the problem of the person who had it, Norah giving it all to him, it being his problem? romantic ending?
