Cantinflas

Mario Moreno - Cantinflas (1911-1993)

Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Fortino Mario Alfonso Moreno Reyes (born August 12, 1911 in Mexico City , † April 20, 1993 ibid), better known as Cantinflas , was a Mexican actor , singer , comedian and film producer .

In Mexico he was also known as the "mimic" or the "comedian in the raincoat". Charlie Chaplin once called Cantinflas "the funniest man in the world". His trademarks were his mustache, his funny hat, the tie knotted around his neck and his drooping trousers that were much too large. Accordingly, the comedian Manuel Medel should have inspired him to this. One of his trademarks was his way of tangling up, twisting the word in his counterpart in this way and creating puns; this way of speaking is called “cantinflear” in Mexico to this day.

He started out as a mimic and dancer in the circus and later appeared in variety shows. In 1936 he had his first supporting role in "No te engañes corazón". In 1939 he founded the company "Posa Films" with Jacques Gelman and Santiago Riachi and appeared in his first own film in 1940 (" Ahí está el detalle "). In total, he acted in more than 55 films. He became world famous as a passe-partout in the American monumental film " Around the World in 80 Days " (1956) based on Jules Verne's novel . He was known and loved for his portrayal of the "Cantinflas", a poor, naughty farmer who used humor to portray the typical Mexicans from the poor areas of Mexico. He was an optimist, criticized the politicians and the rich, and made fun of everyday life. His personal style as a comedian was so special that he was called "Cantinflismo". Although some of his films have been translated into English and French, the style of his Spanish puns was difficult to convey, which is why he gained much fame, especially in Latin American countries. He was awarded a star on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood honored. In 1987 he received the Mexican Ariel de Oro Film Award for Lifetime Achievement.

In his later years he was a member of the Asociación Nacional de Actores. During his presidency of the association he founded the "House of the Actor" (Casa del Actor), a home for actors with little money. He had always been known for his generosity.

He was married to the actress Valentina Ivanova Zubareff.

Filmography

• 1936: No te engañes corazón
• 1937: Así es mi tierra
• 1938: Águila o sol
• 1939: Cantinflas jengibre contra dinamita
• 1939: El signo de la muerte
• 1939: Siempre listo en las tinieblas
• 1940: Ahí está el detalle
• 1940: Cantinflas boxeador
• 1940: Cantinflas ruletero
• 1940: Cantinflas torero
• 1940: Cantinflas y los censos
• 1940: Cantinflas y su prima
• 1941: El gendarme desconocido
• 1941: Ni sangre ni arena
• 1941: Carnavál en el trópico
• 1942: Los tres mosqueteros
• 1943: El circo
• 1943: Romeo y Julieta
• 1944: Gran Hotel
• 1945: Un día con el diablo
• 1946: Soy un prófugo
• 1947: ¡A volar joven!
• 1948: El supersabio
• 1949: El mago
• 1950: El portero
• 1951: El siete machos
• 1952: El bombero atómico
• 1952: Si yo fuera diputado
• 1953: El señor fotógrafo
• 1954: Caballero a la medida
• 1955: Abajo el telón
• 1956: In 80 days around the world (Around the World in Eighty Days)
• 1957: El bolero de Raquel
• 1958: Ama a tu prójimo
• 1959: Sube y baja
• 1960: Pepe - What can the world cost (Pepe)
• 1961: El analfabeto
• 1962: El extra
• 1963: Entrega inmediata
• 1964: El padrecito
• 1965: El señor doctor
• 1967: Su Excelencia
• 1968: Por mis pistolas
• 1969: The Great Sex War
• 1969: Un quixote sin mancha
• 1971: El profe
• 1973: Don Quixote cabalga de nuevo
• 1974: Conserje en condominio
• 1976: El ministro y yo
• 1978: El patrullero 777
• 1982: El Barrendero

Web links

• Cantinflas in the Internet Movie Database (English)
• Literature by and about Cantinflas in the catalog of the Ibero-American Institute of Prussian Cultural Heritage, Berlin
• Filmography