When a native-born American citizen of Mexican descent is mistakenly deported to Mexico, he has to risk everything to get back home.
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Title: Born in East L.A. (1987)
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4 wins.
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Edit
Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Cheech Marin | ... | Rudy | |
| Paul Rodriguez | ... | Javier | |
| Daniel Stern | ... | Jimmy | |
| Kamala Lopez | ... | Dolores | |
| Jan-Michael Vincent | ... | McCalister (as Jan Michael Vincent) | |
| Lupe Ontiveros | ... | Rudy's Mother | |
 |
Urbanie Lucero | ... | Rudy's Sister |
|
|
Chastity Ayala | ... | Rudy's Niece |
|
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David Perez | ... | Rudy's Nephew |
|
|
Neith Hunter | ... | Marcie |
|
|
Larry Blackmon | ... | Slick Dude |
| Tito Larriva | ... | Oscar | |
| Geoffrey Rivas | ... | Immigration Aide (as Geoff Rivas) | |
| Eddie Barth | ... | Lester | |
|
|
Miguel Delgado | ... | Jose |
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
Storyline
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. Written by Murray Chapman <muzzle@cs.uq.oz.au>
Taglines:
A Comedy Bordering On Insanity See more »Genres:
ComedyParents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USARelease Date:
21 August 1987 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Un pícaro de Los Ángeles See more »Edit
Box Office
Gross USA:
$17,355,263Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
| (TV)Sound Mix:
StereoColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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(uncredited)
Written by Jerry Capehart and Eddie Cochran
Performed by Cheech Marin
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
Rudy's hat translates to "No beer No work". See more »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. See more »Quotes
Altar Boy: Hey man! You want any used lottery tickets? Lotteria? Hey man I like you, you can have em. Nah man, they went to Fresno! Fresno!See more »
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. See more »Soundtracks
Summertime Blues(uncredited)
Written by Jerry Capehart and Eddie Cochran
Performed by Cheech Marin
See more »
Cheech Marin is a great talent. In his film, "Born in East L.A.", he clearly shows a man that has a good understanding about the issues at the heart of this entertaining movie. For some years now he has been by himself as his partnership with Tommy Chong ended.
Mr. Marin makes an important point in the film. Rudy, his main character, is a man born and raised in East L.A., as the title indicates, yet, he is deported to a country he probably has never been to. His roots are American, yet being in the wrong place, at the wrong time, trying to do a favor to his cousin, he is hauled to a detention center for illegal aliens and deported to Mexico.
Of course, the arrest and his deportation serves as the basis of a clever comedy that is easy on the eyes and have us laughing throughout the many funny situations Mr. Marin has created for himself and his crew. Daniel Stern is good as Jimmy, the man that exploits Rudy. Paul Rodriguez has some good moments as the newly arrived guy that keeps thinking the messages he hears in Rudy's answering service come from the Jesus image behind it. The lovely Kamala Lopez is easy on one's eyes, and the great Lupe Ontiveros plays Rudy's mom.
"Born in East L.A." is a funny movie with a message.