In addition to "Aventurera", Laguna have also released a 10/10 DVD of an earlier Ninon Sevilla, "Pecadora" (1947), in which (although it was only her second film), our Ninon is billed third to stars Emilia Guiu and Ramon Armengod. Not only does Ninon dance up a storm (she also choreographed her numbers), she also plays a small but unsympathetic part in the drama. In fact, she actually has two roles: as Leonor, a confederate of the keychain-twirling villain, Roberto, the Dandy (most evocatively played by Andres Soler); and later on, would you believe, without any change in make-up, costuming or razzle-dazzle charisma, she plays herself! In fact, she is introduced with great fanfare as Ninon Sevilla and performs a startling dance turn with the Angels of Hell – or rather, it's the other way around with the Angels figuring as little more than a backdrop to the wildly cavorting Sevilla. In the same segment, composer-pianist Agustin Lara is also introduced with much on-screen hoop-la. Lara is one of my favorite composers, but he presents a rather surprising figure. I would describe him as a cross between Percy Kilbride and Hoagy Carmichael. The number he plays is absolutely enchanting, and beautifully sung, as you might expect, by Ana Maria Gonzalez (who is also a featured vocalist in "Aventurera"). The melodrama on which all this singing and dancing is pinned comes over almost every bit as dark as "Aventurera", although the villain lacks any colorful male accomplices.
Emilia Guiu plays Carmen (the "Sinner" of the title) who befriends Antonio (Ramon Armengod), a drug-trafficker who, fleeing from the police in Juarez, takes refuge in the "cabaret" run by Andres Soler. Naturally, Carmen and Antonio fall in love. They have an idyllic time in Acapulco (of which we are reminded twice in super-imposed flash-backs), but, to cut a long (90 minutes) story short, Antonio is eventually arrested. While he is serving time, Carmen marries a rich man, Javier (played by José M. Linares Rivas), who has a grown-up daughter (Linda Gorraez). When a kindly priest arranges an early release from prison for him, the reformed Antonio goes seeking his Carmen. The noir aspects of this story are creatively and atmospherically induced by cinematographer Ezequiel Carrasco (notice the clever way he photos Armengod – neutrally in the opening scenes, most unflatteringly mid-term and most handsomely in the concluding episodes. Of course, it's not all done with lighting. Armengod gives a great performance as well). The director, José Diaz Morales, seems to have allowed Carrasco to run the show while he concentrated on the players – which is all to the good. One word of warning, however: This movie is much more realistic and nowhere near as outlandishly lavish as "Aventurera". But a great movie experience nonetheless. I'm keen to watch it again. Thank you, Laguna! (P.S. The DVD is not sub-titled, but most viewers should have little difficulty following the plot}.
Emilia Guiu plays Carmen (the "Sinner" of the title) who befriends Antonio (Ramon Armengod), a drug-trafficker who, fleeing from the police in Juarez, takes refuge in the "cabaret" run by Andres Soler. Naturally, Carmen and Antonio fall in love. They have an idyllic time in Acapulco (of which we are reminded twice in super-imposed flash-backs), but, to cut a long (90 minutes) story short, Antonio is eventually arrested. While he is serving time, Carmen marries a rich man, Javier (played by José M. Linares Rivas), who has a grown-up daughter (Linda Gorraez). When a kindly priest arranges an early release from prison for him, the reformed Antonio goes seeking his Carmen. The noir aspects of this story are creatively and atmospherically induced by cinematographer Ezequiel Carrasco (notice the clever way he photos Armengod – neutrally in the opening scenes, most unflatteringly mid-term and most handsomely in the concluding episodes. Of course, it's not all done with lighting. Armengod gives a great performance as well). The director, José Diaz Morales, seems to have allowed Carrasco to run the show while he concentrated on the players – which is all to the good. One word of warning, however: This movie is much more realistic and nowhere near as outlandishly lavish as "Aventurera". But a great movie experience nonetheless. I'm keen to watch it again. Thank you, Laguna! (P.S. The DVD is not sub-titled, but most viewers should have little difficulty following the plot}.
