Mexican Spitfire Out Westis a 1940 Americancomedy filmdirected byLeslie Goodwinsand written byCharles E. Robertsand Jack Townley. It is the sequel to the 1940 filmMexican Spitfire.The film starsLupe Vélez,Leon Errol,Donald Woods,Elisabeth Risdon,andCecil Kellaway.The film was released on November 29, 1940, byRKO Radio Pictures.[1][2][3]
| Mexican Spitfire Out West | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Leslie Goodwins |
| Screenplay by | Charles E. Roberts Jack Townley |
| Story by | Charles E. Roberts |
| Produced by | Lee S. Marcus Cliff Reid |
| Starring | Lupe Vélez Leon Errol Donald Woods Elisabeth Risdon Cecil Kellaway |
| Cinematography | Jack MacKenzie |
| Edited by | Desmond Marquette |
| Music by | Roy Webb |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | RKO Radio Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 76 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Plot
editThe story and characters continue where the previous filmMexican Spitfireleft off. Newlyweds Carmelita and Dennis Lindsay are settling into their Manhattan apartment, much to the approval of Dennis's uncle Matt and much to the disgust of Matt's wife Della. Della thinks it isn't too late to send Carmelita away and marry Dennis off to his former flame Elizabeth Price. On the business front, advertising man Dennis is anxious to land a new client, British distiller Lord Basil Epping.
Carmelita, furious with Dennis for his preoccupation with business, goes to Reno for a divorce. Uncle Matt follows her and tries to keep Dennis's competitor off-balance by masquerading as Lord Epping, so the real Lord Epping can sign with Dennis. This backfires in short order, as Uncle Matt is constantly mistaken for Lord Epping at the hotel, and the genuine Lord Epping can't account for the frequent mistaken identities. Things come to a head when Lady Epping arrives, and Aunt Della descends upon the hotel, further confusing matters.
Cast
edit
- Lupe Vélezas Carmelita Lindsay
- Leon Errolas Uncle Matt Lindsay / Lord Basil Epping
- Donald Woodsas Dennis Lindsay
- Elisabeth Risdonas Aunt Della Lindsay
- Cecil Kellawayas Mr. Chumley, Epping's assistant
- Linda Hayesas Elizabeth Price
- Lydia Bilbrookas Lady Ada Epping
- Charles Colemanas Ponsby, the butler
- Charles Quigleyas Mr. Roberts
- Lester Dorras Harry
- Eddie Dunnas Mr. Skinner, competitor
- Grant Withersas the hotel detective
- Tom Kennedyas taxi driver
Production
editWhile making the film in August 1940, it was announced Velez was signed to do four more "Spitfire" movies.[4]
Reception
editTrade reviewers greeted the film as one of the funniest of the year.Boxoffice:"It assays high in hilarity, due not only to Errol's drollery in a dual role but also because of [an] ingeniously concocted farce script. It should set laugh records among fans of the slapstick school."[5]The Exhibitor:"This is the funniest of the Spitfire series, and had the preview audience howling with laughter, drowning out much of the dialogue."[6]Film Daily:"Surefire for laughs netted by comedy that moves along at a fine tempo... Direction by Leslie Goodwins is outstanding."[7]Motion Picture Herald:"Mexican Spitfire Out Westwas greeted with hilarity bordering on hysterics by the preview audience in Los Angeles... the seats prevented the audience from rolling in the aisles. "[8]
Varietysaid Errol delivers a "smash characterisation" but disliked the film.[9]
References
edit- ^"Mexican Spitfire Out West (1940) - Overview - TCM".Turner Classic Movies.Retrieved14 September2014.
- ^"Mexican Spitfire Out West Trailer, Reviews and Schedule for Mexican Spitfire Out West - TVGuide".TV Guide.Retrieved14 September2014.
- ^"Movie Review - The Dreyfus Case - THE SCREEN; 'Mayerling to Sarajevo' at the Little Carnegie--Light Farce at the Rialto--'The Dreyfus Case' at the Thalia - NYTimes".Retrieved14 September2014.
- ^"Some more 'Spitfire'".Variety.7 August 1940. p. 9.
- ^Boxoffice,Oct. 5, 1940, p. 32-C.
- ^The Exhibitor,Oct. 16, 1940, p. 620.
- ^Film Daily,Oct. 9, 1940, p. 13.
- ^Vance King,Motion Picture Herald,Oct. 12, 1940, p. 49.
- ^"Mexican Spitfire Out West".Variety.30 October 1940. p. 14.