Jerry Miller I applaud the Esther Williams for agreeing to be Ricardo's fraternal TWIN sister, tomboy, would-be bullfighter. An audience doesn't expect a fine tuned rendering of a story -- we kind of KNOW it's only a dramatization, not REAL life.This was a pro-Mexico film in its day when Mexican-Americans were limited to patronage of Los Angeles movie theaters only one day of the week.I watched from start to finish expecting to see a dance sequence found on You Tube - where Cyd Charisse and Ann Miller compete for the attention of Ricardo. Maybe it was cut from this film and released as a Music Short Suject???? Anyway it is well written, well acted, a slimmer Akim Taaaroff feigns a nice Spanish accent. Viva Esther, Cyd, and Ricardo in a nice family story -- would have been rated G.

ilbarone139 This early Ricardo Montaban movie shows his early acting/ dramatic talents. We knew he could dance, and dance he did with one of the best Female Dancers every Cyd Charisse. So great Together they did four More dance films. Many of My favorite performers are in this movie; Fortunno Buonanova, Born In Spain a Great Opera Singer whom sang Baritone & Tenor Perfect as the Mexican Padrone former Great Matador whom had to quit early owing to injury.. Basic Plot of movie. Years Later wife Mary Astor, over rated actress,(I guess if you believe She is Mexican not too much stretch that Esther Williams is the Mexican Daughter/Twin of Ricardo's Character. Although they used makeup for Astor to enhance the 'Mexican' look, none is used for Esther & Both speak American, even some slang.A better actress would have been Rita Hayworth, although born in NYC was Mexican and can dance which would enhance the Matador Movements.This would be very unusual for Aristocratic Mexican Family even today.. The Padrone is head Master and everything he says,YOU Do.John Carroll another one of my favorites, although born in Louisianna as Julian LaFaye could effect many accents, none were utilized here, again leaving authenticity back stage. Public likes to see acting and if you are non-ethnic however can act the role it makes for a better movie. I like Akim Tamiroff as Faithful Friend of Don Antonio and he does effect the accent. I believe a better Performer such as J.Carol Naish would enhance the role, as we all know his expertise in languages. AS Lon Chaney Sr was man of 1000 faces, Naish would be man of 1000 accents,(exaggerated). The Costumes are very well done. Sequences in bull ring are above average and obviously done by professional Matadors. A little spoiler alert; When they use Esther to perform in the ring as brother Mario; come on her Bosoms especially in the Short Matador jacket and high waisted belt only further enhanced them. Ricordo always had good Physique, but not Bosoms. Even the bull was excited..THe Piano scenes in wayside tavern by Ricardo are as accurate and obviously show he can perform with piano as well.With all flaws this is a good movie, very entertaining. Imagine if the main actors had been utilized to their expert potential.

edwagreen This film introduced Ricardo Montalban to the screen. He is with his twin sister, played by Esther Williams. You can see from childhood that Ricardo loves music more than the bull ring. His father is passionate about the latter and literally demands that Mario, Montalban, follow his career into the ring as well.Of course, we have the inevitable showdown between father and son. To lure Montalban back, sister Maria goes into the ring herself to fight the bulls.The music, while lively, is the typical Mexican dance routines. Mary Astor plays the mother of Mario and Maria, and she has one dramatic scene where she tells of her fear of the ring both for her husband and son.The ending is a bit silly, but these kind of pictures generally have that air about themselves anyway. Note a young Cyd Charisse, as Mario's girlfriend. She does little dancing, but Esther Williams is not in the water either.

funkyfry Nobody has too much fun at this fiesa -- supposedly MGM's ads proclaimed "See-Esther in Fiesta" apparently confusing a party with a nap-- which is a closer description of this improbably Mexican diversion. Esther battles bulls to redeem her brother's name (Montalban) after he flees the ring the pursue a career as a composer. The music he wrote is actually Copland's "El Salon de Mexico" -- a piece whose hokey, bloated exoticism meshes perfectly with this movie. Nice color photography, and the producers, as usual, found an opportunity for Williams to get wet.