Santa (1932) is the first Mexican narrative sound film. It was directed by Antonio Moreno and starred Lupita Tovar, based on the novel of the same name by Federico Gamboa. It had its world premiere in San Antonio. In 1994, the Mexican magazine Somos published their list of "The 100 best movies of the cinema of Mexico" in its 100th edition and named Santa its 67th choice.

Plot

A Mexican girl named Santa (Tovar) is seduced and abandoned by a soldier, Marcelino. Rejected by her family and friends, she finds shelter in a brothel in Mexico City. After meeting Santa, the blind piano player Hipólito (Orellana) falls in love with her but is ridiculed by those around him. After she is rejected by her romantic partner Jarameno (due to the meddling of a suddenly returned Marcelino), Hipólito invites Santa to live with him and they attend church together. Later Santa becomes ill and Hipólito goes to the hospital to be with her but she passes away.

Santa (1932 film)

Cast

Lupita Tovar as Santa

Carlos Orellana as Hipólito

Juan José Martínez Casado as Jarameño

Donald Reed as Marcelino

Antonio R. Frausto as Fabián

Mimí Derba as Doña Elvira

Rosita Arriaga as Santa's Mother

Joaquín Busquets as Esteban

Feliciano Rueda as Drunk at brothel

Jorge Peón as Genarillo

Alberto Martí as Jarameño's friend

Ricardo Carti as Doctor

Sofía Álvarez as Prostitute 1

Rosa Castro as Prostitute 2

Nena Betancourt as Singer

References

External links

1932 films

Mexican black-and-white films

1930s Spanish-language films

1932 drama films

Films based on Mexican novels

Mexican drama films

1930s Mexican films

Santa (1932 film)