This Gavaldón classic suggests that what the boxing world is to the American film noir, the high-speed game of pelota (jai alai to American tourists) is to its Mexican cousin. Pedro Armendáriz, Mexico’s great romantic lead, plays against type as an arrogant pelotari who seduces and discards women at will, until he becomes the target of a cunning revenge plot. He meets his fate in a final image that is quintessentially noir yet inconceivable in an American film of that time.

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 Doris Muñoz.

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: Pedro Armendáriz, Anita Blanch, Rebeca Iturbide. 1952. 85 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.