Panama Sal
| Panama Sal | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | William Witney |
| Screenplay by | Arnold Belgard |
| Produced by | Edward J. White |
| Starring | Elena Verdugo Ed Kemmer Carlos Rivas Harry Jackson Joe Flynn Christine White |
| Cinematography | Jack A. Marta |
| Edited by | Joseph Harrison |
| Music by | Joseph Hooven Marilyn Hooven |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Republic Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 70 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Panama Salis a 1957 Americanmusical comedyfilm directed byWilliam Witneyand written by Arnold Belgard. The film starsElena Verdugo,Ed Kemmer,Carlos Rivas,Harry Jackson,Joe FlynnandChristine White.The film was released on October 18, 1957 byRepublic Pictures.[1][2][3]
Plot
[edit]Three wealthy American playboys and pals fly toSouth Americafor a final fling before one of them, Dennis, is to be married. His fiancee Patricia uses the time to fly toFranceto have a wedding dress designed by Henri Moray.
The plane runs out of fuel, making a forced landing in the wilds ofPanama.There the three men have a chance encounter with a singer, beautiful Sal Regan, who immediately catches Dennis's rapt attention. Claiming to be a music producer, Dennis invites her to return toLos Angeleswith him. Although this upsets Manuel Ortego, a jealous man who loves her, Sal decides to settle the matter on the flip of a coin. Dennis wins.
Ensconced in aBeverly Hillsapartment, Sal enjoys the trip until Dennis tries to remake her entire image, including wardrobe and makeup, toning it down. A nightclub singing date is arranged and the news makes it abroad to Patricia, who angrily begins a romantic fling with Moray.
Ortego travels to California to demand Sal return to Panama and to confront Dennis, who proposes another wager, that he be given two weeks to make her a star. Patricia also turns up and announces herself to be about to marry Dennis, just to annoy Sal. In the end, though, Sal's debut musical performance is a sensation, and she and Dennis end up in love.
Cast
[edit]- Elena Verdugoas Sal Regan
- Ed Kemmeras Dennis P. Dennis
- Carlos Rivasas Manuel Ortego
- Harry Jackson as Peter Van Fleet II
- Joe Flynnas Barrington C. Ashbrook
- Christine Whiteas Patricia Sheldon
- Albert Carrieras Moray
- Jose Gonzales-Gonzales as Peon
- Billie Birdas Woman Manager
Critical reception
[edit]In his review of the film onAllMovie,criticHal Ericksonwrote that the film is "not meant to be taken seriously," and that it "is an enjoyable diversion from the waning days of Republic Pictures."[4]A review of the film inTV Guidenoted that "Verdugo sings vigorously, but otherwise her performance is lacklustre," that the "script develops slowly and contains insipid dialog," that "the direction is little more than a camera pointed at the action, never adding anything to the proceedings," and that the film "was filmed in black and white with a Naturama processing that falls off around the edges, causing further distraction to an already troubled film."[5]
References
[edit]- ^"Panama Sal (1957) - Overview".TCM.com.Retrieved2015-12-05.
- ^Hal Erickson(2015)."Panama-Sal - Trailer - Cast - Showtimes".Movies & TV Dept.The New York Times.Archived fromthe originalon 2015-12-09.Retrieved2015-12-05.
- ^"Panama Sal".Afi.com.Retrieved2015-12-05.
- ^Erickson, Hal."Panama Sal (1957)".AllMovie.Netaktion, LLC.Retrieved2023-12-13.
- ^"Panama Sal Reviews".TV Guide.TV Guide.Retrieved2023-12-13.
External links
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