Argentine Nights
additional history, links, and references
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| starring = [[The Ritz Brothers]] [[The Andrews Sisters]] [[Constance Moore]] [[George Reeves]] |
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'''''Argentine Nights''''' is a 1940 [[musical |
'''''Argentine Nights''''' is a 1940 [[musical comedy]] film directed by [[Albert S. Rogell]] and starring [[The Ritz Brothers]] and [[The Andrews Sisters]]. It was the Andrews trio's first film.[https://books.google.com/books?id=9mE2-RxDyZsC&dq=argentine+nights+andrews+sisters&pg=PA109 ''The Andrews Sisters: A Biography and Career Record''] by H. Arlo Nimmo, McFarland, 2004, p. 109. |
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==Plot== |
==Plot== |
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The Ritz Brothers owe money to their investor creditors, and their biggest asset is an all-girl orchestra featuring the Andrews Sisters. To make good on their debts, the Ritzes book the band into a new luxury hotel in Argentina. Upon their arrival, they find a humble lodging whose owners have been swindled; the improvements to the hotel were never made. The Ritz Brothers and the band resolve to launch the hotel in style. Meanwhile, polo champion Eduardo Esteban poses as the notorious outlaw El Tigre, to romance bandleader Bonnie Brooks and to plan a surprise fiesta at the hotel. |
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Three conmen go to Argentina to escape their creditors. |
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==Cast== |
==Cast== |
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* [[Al Ritz]] |
* [[Al Ritz]] as himself |
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* [[Harry Ritz]] |
* [[Harry Ritz]] as himself |
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* [[Jimmy Ritz]] |
* [[Jimmy Ritz]] as himself |
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* [[Maxene Andrews]] |
* [[Maxene Andrews]] as herself |
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* [[Patty Andrews]] |
* [[Patty Andrews]] as herself |
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* [[LaVerne Andrews]] |
* [[LaVerne Andrews]] as herself |
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* [[Constance Moore]] |
* [[Constance Moore]] as Bonnie Brooks |
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* [[George Reeves]] |
* [[George Reeves]] as Eduardo Esteban, alias El Tigre |
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* [[Peggy Moran]] |
* [[Peggy Moran]] as Peggy |
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* [[Anne Nagel]] |
* [[Anne Nagel]] as Linda |
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* [[Kathryn Adams Doty|Kathryn Adams]] |
* [[Kathryn Adams Doty|Kathryn Adams]] as Carol |
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* [[Ferike Boros]] |
* [[Ferike Boros]] as Mama Viejos |
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* [[Paul Porcasi]] |
* [[Paul Porcasi]] as Papa Viejos |
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==Production== |
==Production== |
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The Ritz Brothers appeared in |
The Ritz Brothers appeared in ''Argentine Nights'' as part of a settlement with Universal after being dropped from [[Jules Levey]]'s production of ''[[The Boys from Syracuse (film)|The Boys from Syracuse]]'' (1940).Edwin Schallert, ''Los Angeles Times'', May 15, 1940, p. 13. The film was meant to start production in May 1940, but the casting of the brothers meant the script had to be rewritten and shooting pushed back until June 10.Douglas W. Churchill, ''New York Times'', May 15, 1940, p. 35. The original songs were written by two teams: [[Sammy Cahn]] and [[Saul Chaplin]], and [[Don Raye]] and [[Hughie Prince]]. [[George Reeves]] also sings in the film. |
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[[George Reeves]] also sings in the film, in the role of "El Tigre", a bandit chief. |
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==Reception== |
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''Film Daily'' gave the film a good sendoff: "Like two sets of football backfields, The Ritz Brothers and The Andrews Sisters alternate in lugging the entertainment leather in this one. The accent is almost wholly on rampant fun. Highlights of the avalanche of comedy are an imitation of The Andrews Sisters by The Ritz Brothers, and a hilarious bit wherein the boys [in a ship's galley] appropriate a gigantic loaf of sandwich bread, cut it horizontally, and feast from the ensuing gargantuan morsel. Pace generally is swift and amusing, fitted to a mood so light and dizzy that the troubles of the world seem as far distant as Mars."''Film Daily'', Oct. 15, 1940, p. 7. |
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"What do you expect from a movie?" asked ''Modern Screen''. "If it's sense -- stay home, don't see this one. If it's fun, well then, this is your dish. The story? That doesn't make any sense? Well, neither does the picture. But who cares? The Ritz Brothers are pretty funny and the Andrews Sisters are red hot. And Connie Moore is an eyeful. There are a half dozen good songs which you'll be hearing on your favorite jukebox this winter. Swing it, men!" |
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==Aftermath== |
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''Argentine Nights'' was intended as a harmless musical comedy, but the Argentine government was affronted by the frivolous depiction of the country and its officers of the law. A formal objection was filed in May 1941, almost a year after the film had been produced. Universal withdrew the film from Argentina immediately, with a studio spokesman explaining that "the unfavorable reception was obviously inspired by unfriendly interests in [[Buenos Aires]]."''Boxoffice'', "''Nights'' Withdrawn", May 21, 1941, p. 15. ''Film Daily'' traced the objection to the mayor of Buenos Aires.''Film Daily'', "Urges S. A. Ban on ''Argentine Nights''", May 8, 1941, p. 1. |
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==Revival== |
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[[Realart Pictures]], which had acquired the Universal backlog, re-released ''Argentine Nights'' in 1948 as part of a [[double feature]] with [[Olsen and Johnson]]'s ''[[Hellzapoppin' (film)|Hellzapoppin']]''.''Boxoffice'', June 5, 1948, p. 44. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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[[Category:1940 American films]] |
[[Category:1940 American films]] |
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[[Category:English-language musical films]] |
[[Category:English-language musical films]] |
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{{1940s-musical-film-stub}} |
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