He was one of the quintessential charros of Mexican cinema, a carpenter, a good-hearted vagabond and a town idol. He played characters of simple caste and was the womanizer of the national golden age. No one else was able to charm the country like him and touch different generations with his stories. Therefore, it is always a good time to remember Pedro Infante’s films.
Next, the best films by Pedro Infante:
We poor (Dir. Ismael Rodríguez, 1948)
Portrait of a marginalized social sphere in urban Mexico in the 1940s, from which emerges one of the most significant dramas of the Tepeyac studio, one that is in the form of a trilogy. This is one of Pedro Infante’s best films and introduced the world to the characters of Pepe “El Toro” (Pedro Infante), “Chachita” (Evita Muñoz), Celia, better known as “La Chorreada” (Blanca Estela Pavón ), “La Tostada” (Delia Magaña) and “Guava” (Amelia Wilhelmy).
It follows the misadventures of a humble carpenter who, despite his poverty, maintains his dignity when things are adverse to him. Pepe is accused of a crime that he did not commit and is imprisoned, while at the same time other stories and crossroads develop that question social justice, but exalt virtues such as solidarity and strength. It is the number one installment of the first trilogy made in Mexican cinema and has one of its most iconic scenes: the moment when Pepe “El Toro” sings “Amorcito Corazón”, a classic by Manuel Esperón.
Where to see? Clear Video
You rich people (Dir. Ismael Rodríguez, 1948)
Sequel to We poor, is a story that once again puts the family unit at risk. Although Pepe and “La Chorreada” are already married and are her parents, “Chachita” meets her grandmother (Mimí Derba), a rich woman who wants to uproot her from her poor habits to turn her into a society lady. However, the young woman again played by Evita Muñoz is in love with “El Atarantado” (Freddy Fernández), a young man with little education, so the difference in social classes stands as a barrier against them.
However, as drama cannot be exempt, rivalry and revenge cause a fire to claim two lives, among them that of Pepe’s little son and “La Chorreada”, a tragedy from which Infante’s famous dialogue emerges: “Torito, Torito!”
Where to see? Clear Video
Pepe the Bull (Dir. Ismael Rodríguez, 1953)
The trilogy ends We poor and You rich people. It is the first film in which “La Chorreada” no longer appears except in photographs, since the actress who played it, Blanca Estela Pavón, died in 1949 at the age of 23 due to a plane accident. In fact, the film was dedicated in her memory.
With this closure, Ismael Rodríguez continued addressing issues about the less favored classes in the city and sculpting the perennial portrait of one of the most important characters in Pedro Infante’s career: Pepe “El Toro.” The pain does not leave him even now that he has become a boxer. In a fight in the ring, the protagonist accidentally ends the life of his best friend. The one who appears here is an Infant who embodies the frustration, pain and wear and tear of life.
Where to see? Clear Video.
Continue reading: Pedro Infante films, the best.
Two types of care (Dir. Ismael Rodríguez, 1953)
Is the ranchera comedy from the era of golden cinema (and one of Pedro Infante’s best films), as it not only features the presence of Mexico’s idol, but also the other big name of the big screen of the 50s, Jorge Negrete. Here he leaves aside the dramatic Pepe “El Toro” to play the dashing and romantic Pedro Malo.
Although the anecdote of the film is not very transcendent and even presents touches of machismo, it is the only production that has the talent of Infante and Negrete in history. It also presents the classic charro duel scene between the two figures when they both sing “Coplas”, also by Manuel Esperón and Pedro de Urdimalas. The film narrates the experiences of two friends, Jorge Bueno (Negrete) and Pedro Malo (Infante).
Although they like parties, games and women, they are in love with two different girls from the town. Jorge loves Rosario (Carmelita González) and Pedro loves María (Yolanda Varela). Jorge leaves town one year and when he returns he discovers that Pedro is married to the love of his life. From there rivalries and entanglements emerge.
Where to see? ViX.
hobo school (Dir. Rogelio A. González, 1955)
Pedro Infante co-starred in this, one of his best films, alongside the enigmatic Miroslava in one of the last films she bequeathed before her premature death at 29 years of age. Actor and actress play a fun love-hate relationship while they are surrounded by colorful characters, especially the mother of the family, Emilia, played by Blanca Castrejón.
The film follows the story of Alberto Medina, a famous composer who suffers an accident. While he is looking for help he arrives at the Valverde house and to his good fortune, his mother is used to receiving and caring for homeless people. Although the rest of the family opposes it, Alberto shows that he is not like the others, especially because he little by little falls in love with the family’s moody eldest daughter: Susana (Miroslava). The one who appears here is a more playful Pedro Infante and completely involved in the situation comedy with slight dramatic overtones.
Where to see? Tubi.
The three Garcias (Dir. Ismael Rodríguez, 1947)
Ironically set in the town of San Luis de la Paz, it focuses on a family named García. It is made up of the strict grandmother Luisa (Sara García), with her cane ready for attack, and her three grandchildren, the problematic cousins: Luis Antonio (Pedro Infante), a lover addicted to drink; José Luis (Abel Salazar), a proud and haughty man, and Luis Manuel (Víctor Manuel Mendoza), a wealthy lender and poet.
There is a marked rivalry between the three, which is enhanced by the arrival of another cousin, who was born and raised in the United States. The problem is that the three Garcías fall in love with the aforementioned Lupita (Marga López) and to win her over they do all kinds of crazy things. At the same time, the reappearance of the López brothers, responsible for the death of the cousins’ parents, rekindles the flames of a family war.
Romance, action, drama and entanglements make this a film in which Pedro Infante knows how to share the lead role and savor the “defeat.” The characters returned to the sequel The Garcías return that same year.
Where to see? Prime Video and Claro Video.
The three huastecos (Dir. Ismael Rodríguez, 1948)
Unlike The three Garcias In this film the trio of protagonists is played by Pedro Infante himself. It also features the legendary appearance of “La Tucita” and the immortal scenes of her next to the viper Chabela and the tarantula Epifania. It was in this film that little María Eugenia Llamas immortalized phrases like: “Why are you leaving me alone if you already know me” or “Wow, so big and so crybaby.”
The film focuses on the Andrade triates, who grew up in different parts of the Huasteca of Potosí. Lorenzo is Tamaulipas, moody and has a daughter, “La Tucita”. Juan de Dios is the priest from Potosí and Víctor was born in Veracruz and is a captain in the army. Lorenzo is also mistaken for a bandit called “El Coyote.” So while Víctor wants to catch his brother, the priest will try to smooth things over between them and be a bridge of unity rather than a bridge.
The three Huastecos It is important because it innovated in cinema by having the same actor in three leading roles that share scenes and even sing in three voices.
Where to see? Prime Video and Claro Video.
Continue reading: Pedro Infante films, the best.
ATM Full speed (Dir. Ismael Rodríguez, 1951)
Pedro Infante and another great of the golden era, Luis Aguilar, come together in one of their best films. In this comedy, the actors play two friends who are part of the Mexico City Transit Police Squad. More than being a romantic story, it is based on the relationship between Pedro Chávez (Infante), a homeless man who wants a second chance, and Luis Macías (Aguilar), who tries to enter the Academy.
When the second extends his hand to the first to enter Traffic School, this story of entanglements and competition for women and a better position also begins, which is sustained based on the chemistry of its two protagonists. Furthermore, the conflicts are maintained thanks to the fact that Pedro has a curse that endangers anyone he feels affection for, which adds a twist to the production.
The film by Ismael Rodríguez has action scenes by real motorcyclists and classic themes such as “I did not go!” and “It seems like it’s going to rain”, famous scenes of national cinematography. The film had a sequel in 1952 called What did that woman give you?
Where to see? Prime Video and Claro Video.
Tizoc: Indian love (Dir. Ismael Rodríguez, 1957)
Not only is it a great opportunity to see two of the biggest names in star-system Mexican together on the big screen, but it is the role that distances Pedro Infante from the stereotype of the womanizer, gambler, singer and sometimes drunk. Alongside María Félix as María Eugenia, he narrates the love between Tizoc, a simple young man who lives in the Sierra de Oaxaca, and a Creole girl, arrogant and proud, like the characters in La Doña used to be.
This project was filmed in color, it won the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film and Pedro Infante even won the award for Best Actor at the Berlin Film Festival for it, but his death prevented him from collecting the award. This is the most demanding role in Infante’s career. How can we not be moved by the interpretation of “I love you”?
Where to see? Clear Video.
Little black angels (Dir. Joselito Rodríguez, 1948)
This, another of Pedro Infante’s best films, is inspired by the poem Little black angels by the Venezuelan Andrés Eloy Blanco, is a film that, like the trilogy of We poor, addresses serious social issues within the drama genre. To do this, it focuses on a couple. José Carlos Ruiz (Infante) is a human and altruistic popular music singer who falls in love with a blonde woman named Ana Carla de la Riva Salazar (Emilia Guiú), who works at a school for girls.
Eventually he realizes that she disdains people of color despite having a nanny of that race and that he has always taken care of her (Rita Montaner). Things get complicated for the marriage when they have a daughter and she turns out to be mulatto, which results in an offended and humiliated mother. Little Belén (Titina Romay, daughter of the director) suffers from her mother’s detachment and constantly wonders why she doesn’t love her.
A tragedy uncovers a hidden truth that coins the message of the film. The inconsequentiality of skin color when there is love involved.
Where to see? Prime Video and Claro Video.
Mabel Salinas I am not the Mother of Dragons, but I am from @Enlabutaca; From there and at Cine PREMIERE I am in contact with good stories. Music lover, series fan, movie buff, university professor, and lover of fine arts. Someday I will write a science fiction novel. Unagi!