Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Daniel Valdez | ... | Henry Reyna | |
Edward James Olmos | ... | El Pachuco | |
Charles Aidman | ... | George Shearer | |
Tyne Daly | ... | Alice Bloomfield | |
John Anderson | ... | Judge F.W. Charles | |
![]() |
Abel Franco | ... | Enrique |
Mike Gomez | ... | Joey / Jose Torres | |
Alma Martinez | ... | Lupe (as Alma Rosa Martínez) | |
Francis X. McCarthy | ... | Press (as Frank McCarthy) | |
Lupe Ontiveros | ... | Dolores | |
Ed Peck | ... | Lieutenant Edwards | |
Robert Phalen | ... | District Attorney | |
Tony Plana | ... | Rudy | |
![]() |
Rose Portillo | ... | Della |
Marco Rodríguez | ... | Smiley / Ismael Torres |
A kind of musical accompanying the story of the early 1940's and the effect that the "zoot suit" (a man's suit of long jacket and pegged pants, always worn with a long keychain that looped almost to the ankle.... the rebellious fashion of young men) had on the morals and attitudes of the people of that era. Written by BOB STEBBINS <stebinsbob@aol.com>
First off, Luis Valdez is a genius, he managed to take a real life story, and make it into a musical, not only was its the best kind of musical, with great acting and symbolism, but with meaning to the Chicano race.
This film is about Chicanos and their history during the 1940's, and even though it's about the gang, the actual Zoot Suit and the ending are all very symbolic, and this movie should be credited for all the creativity and work put into this brilliant masterpiece.
The songs were good, but what I really enjoyed was the acting, James Omos is talent behind measurement, yet he receives no credit for such a role. He doesn't play the role, he is the Zoot Suit. All around the acting from everyone was excellent, I wouldn't change a thing about the film.