The Sign of Death (1939)
"El signo de la muerte" (original title)

Director:

Chano Urueta

Writers:

José Benavides hijo, Francisco Elías,

Stars:

Cantinflas, Manuel Medel, Carlos Orellana

Cast

Cast overview:
Cantinflas	...	Cantinflas
Manuel Medel	...	Medel (as Medel)
Carlos Orellana	...	Dr. Gallardo
Elena D'Orgaz	...	Lola Ponce
Tomás Perrín	...	Carlos Manzano
Max Langler	...	Matlatzín
Matilde Corell	...	Tia Mati
Elia D'Erzell	...	Alicia
Alfonso Parra	...	El comisario

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

sacrifice | bound and gagged | anthropologist | aztec | mexico | 

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Mystery

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Details

Country:

Mexico

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

23 December 1939 (Mexico)

Also Known As:

The Sign of Death

Company Credits

Production Co:

CISA

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

User Reviews

Cantinflas before Cantinflas

The movie is about an anthropologist/wizard trying to invoke an ancient legendary hero Quetzalcoatl. For those viewers not well informed about the Mexican Aztecs, many of the errors about the Aztecs portrayed in the movie will be overlooked. However, for those well informed, it will be a very hard pill to swallow. Unfortunately, I know enough about the Nahua Nations that the errors and stereotypes portrayed stuck out greatly. The movie is more focused around the plot to obtain 4 virgins for sacrificial offerings administered by the wizard. This is Mario Moreno's 3rd year in the movies. His debut was in 1937. Therefore, his Cantinflas character is still being developed. In this movie, Mario plays "Cantinflas" and is the anthropologist's assistant. Though his "way with words about talking and talking without saying anything" is apparent, his clothing is "normal" and not with the sagging pants nor tattered clothes. Again, the movie is centered around the plot and not around Cantinflas. What is unique about this movie is that a woman's full naked breasts are exposed and clearly visible in one of the sacrifices. The detective in the movie dropped the ratings even lower. He was assigned terrible acting parts or is a very bad actor. Whatever, if you want to see the Cantinflas character that is well known internationally, see his other movies.