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Born in East L.A.

  • 19871987
  • RR
  • 1h 25m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
6K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Born in East L.A. (1987)
Trailer 1
Play trailer1:32
2 Videos
87 Photos
  • Comedy

When an L.A. born American citizen is mistaken for a Mexican illegal alien and deported to Mexico, he has to do everything he can to get across the border.When an L.A. born American citizen is mistaken for a Mexican illegal alien and deported to Mexico, he has to do everything he can to get across the border.When an L.A. born American citizen is mistaken for a Mexican illegal alien and deported to Mexico, he has to do everything he can to get across the border.

IMDb RATING
6.0/10
6K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Cheech Marin
  • Writer
    • Cheech Marin
  • Stars
    • Cheech Marin
    • Daniel Stern
    • Paul Rodriguez
Top credits
  • Director
    • Cheech Marin
  • Writer
    • Cheech Marin
  • Stars
    • Cheech Marin
    • Daniel Stern
    • Paul Rodriguez
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 38User reviews
    • 15Critic reviews
    • 57Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 4 wins

    Videos2

    Born in East L.A.
    Trailer 1:32
    Born in East L.A.
    Born in East L.A.
    Clip 2:47
    Born in East L.A.

    Photos87

    Born in East L.A. (1987)
    Born in East L.A. (1987)
    Born in East L.A. (1987)
    Born in East L.A. (1987)
    Born in East L.A. (1987)
    Born in East L.A. (1987)
    Born in East L.A. (1987)
    Born in East L.A. (1987)
    Born in East L.A. (1987)
    Born in East L.A. (1987)
    Born in East L.A. (1987)
    Born in East L.A. (1987)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Cheech Marin
    Cheech Marin
    • Rudyas Rudy
    Daniel Stern
    Daniel Stern
    • Jimmyas Jimmy
    Paul Rodriguez
    Paul Rodriguez
    • Javieras Javier
    Kamala Lopez
    Kamala Lopez
    • Doloresas Dolores
    Jan-Michael Vincent
    Jan-Michael Vincent
    • McCalisteras McCalister
    • (as Jan Michael Vincent)
    Lupe Ontiveros
    Lupe Ontiveros
    • Rudy's Motheras Rudy's Mother
    Urbanie Lucero
    • Rudy's Sisteras Rudy's Sister
    Chastity Ayala
    • Rudy's Nieceas Rudy's Niece
    David Perez
    • Rudy's Nephewas Rudy's Nephew
    Neith Hunter
    • Marcieas Marcie
    Larry Blackmon
    • Slick Dudeas Slick Dude
    Tito Larriva
    Tito Larriva
    • Oscaras Oscar
    Geoffrey Rivas
    Geoffrey Rivas
    • Immigration Aideas Immigration Aide
    • (as Geoff Rivas)
    Eddie Barth
    Eddie Barth
    • Lesteras Lester
    Miguel Delgado
    • Joseas Jose
    David Yanez
    • Altar Boyas Altar Boy
    Bret Chafe
    • Immigration Manas Immigration Man
    McKeiver Jones III
    • Immigration Manas Immigration Man
    • Director
      • Cheech Marin
    • Writer
      • Cheech Marin
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Rudy is an American of Mexican descent who is caught up in an immigration raid on a factory. Deported to Mexico as an undocumented immigrant, he has no way of proving that he is in fact an American citizen, and is forced to rely on his cunning to sneak his way back home. —Murray Chapman <muzzle@cs.uq.oz.au>
    • never give up
    • woman wears a short dress
    • payphone
    • pay phone
    • criadilla
    • 38 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • This time Cheech is not just on the wrong side of the law. He's on the wrong side of the line.
    • Genre
      • Comedy
    • Certificate
      • R
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Contrary to popular belief, the picture of Jesus Christ in Rudy's house is not Tommy Chong. Chong turned down an offer to cameo in the film.
    • Goofs
      Standard procedure for Customs agents at the Border for someone without ID would be ask for Social Security number and Mother's maiden name. However this changed in 2009 when the government started requiring American citizens to have a passport to cross back and forth from Mexico.
    • Quotes

      Rudy: If you want to be cool, first you pull your headband into the cool position. then you just lean back, put this hand in your pocket and then you wave this hand behind you like you just cut one and your trying to shoo away the stinch.

    • Alternate versions
      The television broadcast version adds at least 15 to 20 minutes of footage. In this footage, Rudy does make it across the border only to be captured by kidnappers with his friends. He is held for ransom in the house across the street from his home and is rescued by the border patrol. When he hears that Dolores will have to be sent back across the border, he marries her and makes her a citizen. That's why the priest is behind them in the last shot of the TV versions.
    • Connections
      Featured in Demented Top 20 Video Countdown (1988)
    • Soundtracks
      Born in East L.A.
      Words by Cheech Marin
      Music by Bruce Springsteen
      Published by Bruce Springsteen (ASCAP)
      Performed by Cheech & Chong
      Cheech & Chong appear courtesy of MCA Records

    User reviews38

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    wow!
    Much better than i expected. I first saw this film on one of those boring rainy days where you end up sitting in front of the TV channel surfing. i stopped while this was on. needless to say, i watched the whole thing and totally enjoyed it.

    it's very funny at times, and the plot is hilarious! some of the comedy is slapstick and some of it isn't...but it's all good. give it a rent and you won't be disappointed. i just picked up the DVD for 9.99 and i'm glad i did.

    yeahhhhhhhhhhh yeah yeah!

    (sorry, i need ten lines before i could post a comment)
    helpful•13
    2
    • siektwo
    • May 8, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 21, 1987 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Mexico
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Nacido al este de Los Ángeles
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Clear Type
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $17,355,263
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $4,359,040
      • Aug 23, 1987
    • Gross worldwide
      • $17,355,263
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 25 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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    ‘Champions’: Woody Harrelson, Kaitlin Olson, Cheech Marin & Matt Cook To Topline Bobby Farrelly’s Special Olympics Pic For Focus Features And Gold Circle Entertainment
    Jan 31Deadline Film + TV
    A Million Little Things First Look: See Paul Rodriguez Debut as Gary's Dad
    A Million Little Things First Look: See Paul Rodriguez Debut as Gary's Dad
    Apr 28TVLine.com

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