The Mambo Kings (1992)

Two Cuban brothers bring a new music to the 1950s USA. They are as different as the problems that await them.

Director:

Arne Glimcher

Writers:

Oscar Hijuelos (novel), Cynthia Cidre (screenplay)

Stars:

Armand Assante, Antonio Banderas, Pablo Calogero

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Pablo Calogero	...	Ramon - The Mambo Kings Band
Scott Cohen	...	Bernardito - The Mambo Kings Band
Mario Grillo	...	Mario - The Mambo Kings Band
Ralph Irizarry	...	Pito - The Mambo Kings Band
Pete Macnamara	...	Johnny Bing - The Mambo Kings Band
James Medina	...	Manny - The Mambo Kings Band (as Jimmy Medina)
Marcos Quintanilla	...	Willie - The Mambo Kings Band
J.T. Taylor	...	Frankie Suarez - The Mambo Kings Band
William Thomas Jr.	...	Xavier - The Mambo Kings Band
Yul Vazquez	...	Flaco - The Mambo Kings Band
Armand Assante	...	Cesar Castillo
Antonio Banderas	...	Nestor Castillo
Cathy Moriarty	...	Lanna Lake
Maruschka Detmers	...	Delores Fuentes
Desi Arnaz Jr.	...	Desi Arnaz Sr.

Storyline

Musician brothers Cesar and Nestor leave Cuba for America in the 1950s, hoping to hit the top of the Latin music scene. Cesar is the older brother, the business manager, and the ladies' man. Nestor is the brooding songwriter, who cannot forget the woman in Cuba who broke his heart.

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Plot Keywords:

cuba | 1950s | new york city | immigrant | havana cuba | 

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Taglines:

With a suitcase full of song, Hearts filled with passion, two brothers come to America in search of a dream.

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sensuality

Details

Country:

France USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

28 February 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mambo Kings

Filming Locations:

Tower Theatre - 802 S. Broadway, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$319,793, 1 March 1992

Gross USA:

$6,742,168

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$6,742,168

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alcor Films, Canal+, Regency Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Black and White (flashback scene to childhood) Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Film debut of Julie Pinson.

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Goofs

The "Valentine" opening credits seen in syndication were *not* the original opening credits. When the series originally aired on CBS, the credits featured animated stick figures of Lucy and Desi along with the sponsor's product - Phillip Morris cigarettes, for instance. The "Valentine" credits were added when CBS began rerunning the series in 1958.

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Quotes

Anna Maria: He thinks he's the last Coca Cola in the desert.
Lanna Lake: Honey, he is.

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Connections

Referenced in Class Act (1992)

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Soundtracks

Beautiful Maria Of My Soul
Music by Robert Kraft
Lyrics by Arne Glimcher
Produced by Los Lobos
Performed by Los Lobos
Courtesy of Slash Records

User Reviews

Mesmerizing!

The first time I saw this movie, I cried. It brought out emotions I did not know I had. The performances were phenomenal. I knew Antonio could sing but Armand Assante was a huge surprise! The late, great Celia Cruz acts as sort of a every woman musically narrating the story. Another musical genius, that has since left this world, is Tito Puente. His performance sets up the audience for the electricity that follows. This movie portrayed every form of love know to humans-between family, man and woman and everyone's love of music. The passions that this movie ignites, well, I haven't felt since. I can't wait till it comes out on DVD because my VHS is a little worn. When they start to count down the greatest movies of all time I hope The Mambo Kings is in the top ten!