With the slightly frayed good looks of an aging matinee idol, Arturo de Córdova became Mexican noir’s perfect patsy, helplessly in thrall to his erotic obsessions. The film’s title cuts two ways: as the fraudulent fortune teller Professor Karin, Córdova uses the secrets of his female clientele to blackmail them, while at the same time he is a pawn in the higher game being played by a treacherous widow (Leticia Palma). The memorable score is by Gavaldón’s regular collaborator Raúl Lavista.

Prior to the screening, enjoy a music playlist of boleros and rancheras ranging from the Golden Age of Mexican Cinema to contemporary sounds, curated by Cesar Saez.

This screening is part of the first of three film series that celebrate Mexican cinema and is presented with the generous support of Televisa Foundation-Univision.

Director: Roberto Gavaldón. Cast: Arturo de Córdova, Leticia Palma, Ramón Gay. 1951. 113 min. Mexico. B&W. Spanish. DCP. Cineteca Nacional México, Laboratorio de Restauración Digital Elena Sánchez Valenzuela. Screening courtesy of Fundación Televisa.

All film screenings of Roberto Gavaldón are available here.