Brazil
Brasil
1944 · United States · 91 min
- Director
- Joseph Santley
- Screenplay
- Richard English
- Producer
- Robert North
- Music
- Walter Scharf
- Cinematography
- Jack A. Marta
- Editing
- Fred Allen
- Production company
- Republic Pictures
Awards: · 2 nominations
Cast
What it is about
In Brazil, a composer decides to pose as twins in an effort to win the affection of a novelist who scorns everything Latin. Amid identity mix-ups, music and the rhythm of the period take up much of the story, in a light romantic comedy built around the talents of its performers.
How it was made
Brazil was directed by Joseph Santley, with a screenplay by Richard English and production by Robert North for Republic Pictures. Tito Guízar and Virginia Bruce lead the cast, joined by Edward Everett Horton and Brazilian singer Aurora Miranda. Jack A. Marta handled the cinematography and Walter Scharf composed the music. Roy Rogers makes a cameo appearance with his horse Trigger, and the duo Veloz and Yolanda appear as themselves.
Reception and legacy
The film received three Academy Award nominations: for best original music score, for best original song for "Rio de Janeiro" by Ary Barroso, and for best sound recording, credited to Daniel J. Bloomberg. Its legacy is mainly associated with the wave of Hollywood musicals with Latin American themes in the 1940s and with Aurora Miranda's presence in American cinema. The sources consulted offer little detail about its critical reception.
Stills
Trivia
A singing cowboy cameo
Roy Rogers appears as himself in the film, accompanied by his horse Trigger, who is also listed in the cast.
Aurora Miranda in Hollywood
Brazilian singer Aurora Miranda plays a specialty dancer in the cast, one of the most notable Latin presences in the film.
More films by Joseph Santley
The Cocoanuts
Music in My Heart
Behind the NewsOriginal Cinematopedia text based on Wikipedia (en) and Wikidata.