“LATINOS IN HOLLYWOOD”
in the 1940’s

Leo Carillo and former matinee idol Antonio Moreno talk about the good old days on the set at Universal Studios circa 1941.

Rita Hayworth  and Fred Astaire in “You Were Never Lovelier” (1942). Rita born Marguerita Carmen Casino, was one of Astaire’s co-stars who actually was a trained dancer. Her splendid dancing with Astaire made her a legendary. Her explosive charisma in “Gilda” (1946) made her a superstar.

Warner Brother’s “They Died with Their Boots On” (1940) starring Anthony Quinn (as an Indian), Errol Flynn, and Olivia DeHavilland.

Perez Prado nicknamed the “Mambo King”, and his orchestra, perform a musical interlude in the Cuban treasure hunt adventure filmed in 3D, of RKO Radio Studios in 1942.

Latinos were recruited as extras in Warner Brothers’ “Casablanca” (1942) with Humphrey Bogart.

Mexican actor Arturo De Cordova was put under contract at Paramount during the 1940’s and starred as a French Pirate in the big budget Technicolor film “Frenchmen’s Creek” (1944) opposite Joan Fontaine.

Lina Romay was the exotic singer for Xavier Cugat’s Orchestra as well as a film actress. Romay appeared as a band singer in “You Were Never Lovelier” (1942). She made her dramatic debut in Victor Fleming’s “Adventure” (1945) playing Maria alongside Clark Gabel as Harry Patterson.