Solemplex To me, this movie is perfection.

LouHomey From my favorite movies..

Chirphymium It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

Humaira Grant It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

tleek-274-958095 The song Babalu was published in 1939 and the Broadway show was in 1940. Desi Arnez had a big name in the U.S. already and I don't think anyone else was up for the role. The movie was just a propaganda Latin American goodwill film one of many. RKO did not put any of there big stars because it was not a big film. The love stories in musicals was a normal type of story. The film is likable and I would watch it again. The stars don't seem to have the chemistry as love interest. It is interesting that all studios were making films that take place south of the American border but were filmed in there Hollywood studios except for a couple of examples.

samhill5215 There's few reasons to sit through this unfortunate example of Hollywood film-making. The first - and the only reason I began to watch it - was the uncredited debut of Jane Greer, one of my favorite actors of all time. She appears about 5 minutes into the film as Eve Arden's secretary, doesn't say much, swings her leg over the arm of a chair, is scolded by Eve Arden, finally speaks her insignificant lines in her unmistakable voice and departs never to be seen again. More the pity. Normally that would have been enough for me but for some reason I soldiered on, curious about the long list of Hispanic performers. Some were pretty good although the acts tended to be repetitious. After some research I found that this film launched the career of two others: Lita Baron (Lupita) would make 24 more, the last in 1979, and Alma Beltran, who appears briefly as Miss Guatemala. Her career spanned 87 films, the last in 2002. So there you have it. If one looks hard enough one can always find a reason to watch a lousy film. In retrospect I have to wonder why Hollywood would make this turkey. Released shortly after the allied victory over Germany it's difficult to imagine what possible propaganda value it could possibly have. Was it supposed to show some kind of solidarity with our neighbors to our south? I have no clue. In any case don't bother with this one other than as a somewhat ludicrous curiosity.

kidboots Audrey Long seemed to have everything - blonde elegance and style. She originally studied acting with the same woman that had coached Olivia DeHavilland and Joan Fontaine. She was also in two top film noirs - "Born to Kill" and "Desperate" where she proved she could act but because she played the "good girl" she was not remembered. "Pan Americana", was, I definitely suspect, a part of the South American good neighbour policy that Hollywood instigated in the 1940s, where everything south of the border was suddenly very "cool". Even though Phillip Terry and Audrey Long are the "unknown" leads - you can't go wrong with Eve Arden. Jane Greer also had a small part as Eve Arden's secretary. Even though she is in the background her beauty shines through and she also looks as though she is going to play a bigger part but unfortunately....Dan Jordan (Phillip Terry) is given a special assignment - filming the most beautiful girls in South America - also with him is Jo Anne Benson (Audrey Long) as his assistant. Dan thinks she is just another conquest but she is really just stringing him along so she can get to Rio and see her real fiancé.The story is just an excuse to string together some Latin acts ranging from Carmen Miranda "wannabees", guitarists (both male and female) and a pair of dancers performing a pasa doble. There is a rendition of "Baba Lu" (the song that became Desi Arnez's signature tune) - the singer here performs with great drama and an excellent "insect" dance is included (it would have been very dramatic in colour).Robert Benchley does a comic turn as he explains the mysteries of the Samba. My mother thought Robert Benchley was the funniest man ever but in my opinion he is definitely an acquired taste.

rapzz I would have to wholeheartedly agree with the previous writer. This movie is a refreshing musical from the 40's - even Robert Benchley, one of my least favorite actors, subdues his normal corny performance here. There is a nice cast of Latin American singers and dancers included. Eve Arden is excellent in her role. Phillip Terry brings in a creditable performance playing his part well, and Audrey Long is absolutely outstanding (and gorgeous) as usual.Again, a very well directed and acted 40's musical! Must be - I have it on DVD and play it a least once a month. In summary, if you get a chance to catch this movie on one of the movie channels do so, you won't regret it.