Cantinflas …. Mario Moreno’s story, in a nutshell!!

~~September 13, 2014~~ 

I remember growing up with this man, this character in my life. Who didn’t know about “Cantinflas“? This was the time when you had to go to the theaters to see the movies. We didn’t have CDs, DVDs, DVRs. 

It was a treat watching his movies. His character “Cantinflas” was one who would surely make you laugh and forget …. for a while.

Now the time has come to recognize his genius, his creativity, his genuineness. A biographical movie was produced and it’s in the theaters starting this weekend. I saw it today and enjoyed it immensely.

Brought back memories!

“As it appears in … “

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cantinflas

Mario Fortino Alfonso Moreno Reyes, known more casually as simply Mario Moreno, and known professionally as Cantinflas (August 12, 1911 – April 20, 1993), was a Mexican comic film actor, producer, and screenwriter. He often portrayed impoverished “campesinos” or a peasant of “pelado” origin. The character came to be associated with the national identity of Mexico, and allowed Cantinflas to establish a long, successful film career that included a foray into Hollywood. Charlie Chaplin once commented that he was the best comedian alive, and Moreno has been referred to as the “Charlie Chaplin of Mexico“. To audiences in the United States, he is best remembered as co-starring with David Niven in a Golden Globe Award-winning role in the 1956 film “Around the World in 80 Days”.

As a pioneer of the cinema of Mexico, Moreno helped usher in its golden era.

In addition to being a business leader, he also became involved in Mexico’s tangled and often dangerous labor politics. Although he was a political conservative, his reputation as a spokesperson for the downtrodden gave his actions authenticity and became important in the early struggle against charrismo, the one-party government’s practice of co-opting and controlling unions.

Moreover, his character Cantinflas, whose identity became enmeshed with his own, was examined by media critics, philosophers, and linguists, who saw him variably as a danger to Mexican society, a bourgeois puppet, a kind philanthropist, a transgressor of gender roles, a pious Catholic, a verbal innovator, and a picaresque underdog.

~~Origin of name~~

As a young man, Cantinflas performed a variety of acts in travelling tents, and it was here that he acquired the nickname “Cantinflas“, although the origin of the name is obscured by legend. According to one obituary, “Cantinflas” is a meaningless name invented to prevent his parents from knowing he was in the entertainment business, which they considered a shameful occupation. In another version, the Mexican media critic and theorist Carlos Monsiváis cites a legendary account of the origin of Cantinflas’ characteristic speech:

“According to a legend that he agrees with, a young Mario Moreno, overwhelmed by stage fright, once, in the Ofelia carpa (tent), forgets his original monologue. He begins to say what comes to mind in a complete emancipation of phrases and words, and what comes to mind is an incoherent brilliance. His assistants recite his attack on syntax, and Mario becomes aware of it: destiny has placed in his hands the distinctive characteristic, the style that is manipulation of chaos.

Weeks later, the name that will mark the invention is invented. Someone, taken in by the nonsense, screams: “Cuanto inflas!” [C’ ntinflas] (You’re annoying!) or “En la cantina inflas!” [You like to drink a lot at the cantina (inflar means to swell)].

The contraction catches on and becomes proof of the baptism that the character needs.”

~~Cantinflas Featurette~~

The Story (2014) – Michael Imperioli Movie

~~Published on Jul 30, 2014~~

Mike Todd is a Broadway producer struggling to produce ‘Around the World in 80 Days’. In Mexico, Mario Moreno, a young entertainer is struggling to get some respect, and he manages to become a star. A twist of faith makes them partners. Together they won the Oscar for Best Picture.

~~Cantinflas Official US Trailer~

~~Published on Jun 12, 2014~~

Cantinflas (Mario Moreno Reyes) is beloved throughout the Spanish-speaking world and is considered by many to be the Mexican Charlie Chaplin. This biopic traces his life as a young entertainer, who struggles to become a star in Mexico, while Broadway producer, Mike Todd, struggles to make Around the World in 80 Days in the U.S. A twist of fate brings the two together and they go on to win the Oscar for Best Picture.

~~CANTINFLAS’ GALLERY~~

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“Cantinflas is the untold story of Mexico’s greatest and most beloved comedy film star of all time. From his humble origins on the small stage to the bright lights of Hollywood, Cantinflas became famous around the world – one joke at a time.”

We ALL are ONE!!