Sombrero (1953)

Adapted from the book, "Mexican Village," by Josefina Niggli, the film tells three interwoven love stories against the background of a feud between two villages. Cyd Charisse and Rick Jason... See full summary »

Director:

Norman Foster

Writers:

Josefina Niggli (book), Josefina Niggli (screenplay),

Stars:

Ricardo Montalban, Pier Angeli, Vittorio Gassman

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ricardo Montalban	...	Pepe Gonzales
Pier Angeli	...	Eufemia Calderon
Vittorio Gassman	...	Alejandro Castillo
Yvonne De Carlo	...	Maria of the River Road
Cyd Charisse	...	Lola de Torrano
Rick Jason	...	Ruben
Nina Foch	...	Elena Cantu
Kurt Kasznar	...	Father Zacaya
Walter Hampden	...	Don Carlos Castillo
Thomas Gomez	...	Don Homero Calderon
José Greco	...	Gitanillo de Torrano
John Abbott	...	Don Daniel
Andrés Soler	...	Little Doctor
Fanny Schiller	...	Doña Fela
Luz Alba	...	Rosaura

Storyline

Adapted from the book, "Mexican Village," by Josefina Niggli, the film tells three interwoven love stories against the background of a feud between two villages. Cyd Charisse and Rick Jason are the lovers in a tender romance; Vittorio Gassman and Yvonne DeCarlo the lovers in a tragic romance; and Pier Angeli and Ricardo Montalban the lovers in a gay romance.

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Plot Keywords:

feud | fountain | priest | church | dancer | 

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Genres:

Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 September 1953 (Finland)

Also Known As:

Mexican Village

Filming Locations:

Tepoztlán, Morelos, Mexico

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Sound System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Crazy Credits

Opening credits: We wish gratefully to acknowledge the friendly cooperation of the Mexican Government and the genuine hospitality of the Mexican people, without whose assistance the filming of this picture in their country would not have been possible.

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Connections

Referenced in What Just Happened (2008)

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Soundtracks

"Mi viejo amor"
(uncredited)
Music by Alfonso Esparza Oteo
Lyrics by Adolfo Fernández Bustamante

User Reviews

Beautiful People in a Small Town

Perhaps the most beautiful casting in classic cinema in almost a fantasy-like small Mexican town, this movie reads like short stories similar to a fairy tale (or folk tale) background. There's little subplots intertwining Cyd Charisse, Yvonne De Carlo, Pier Angeli, Ricardo Montalban and Vittorio Gassman. It's quite entertaining if not a bit odd with Cyd Charisse's climax dance on the mountain. She also danced with Ricardo Montalban in several movies (Mark of the Renegade, On An Island With You, The Kissing Bandit, and Fiesta) and they make a gorgeous pairing. Surprisingly and sadly after their success, the director/producers for this film didn't put them together for this film. Still it's a happy, charming tale. Objectively I rate it a 6 but due to the wonderful casting and Cyd dancing, it's a 7.

This movie is really hard to find since there's no DVD out there so you have to view it on an old videotape (that may be converted to DVD) or wait until TCM shows it (maybe once a year if at all).