GurlyIamBeach Instant Favorite.

FuzzyTagz If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.

Ogosmith Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

Zlatica One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

mark.waltz Certainly, Eve Arden gets some great lines here, teasing Phillip Terry every step of the way, basically playing a "Lady in the Dark" type character (minus the necessary psycho analysis that Liza Elliott got in that Broadway musical) who takes a fashion photo tour around every Latin American country in existence to pick out the most beautiful women to headline their big Latino revue and beauty contest. She gets him there by promising him a vacation but all he does is work and try to get time alone with Arden's beautiful assistant (Audrey Long) while trying to avoid spitfire Isabelita who had him arrested on his last trip to Mexico to keep him from leaving the country (and her). It turns out that Isabelita isn't actually Mexican and keeps popping up in every single country to get a chance at the title, and obviously get Terry to her own alter. But for playboy Terry, it's Long's slap across the face after he makes advances to her that gets his blood boiling, and for nearly 90 minutes, you have to wait for the obvious conclusion even though she's engaged to an American in Brazil whom you don't meet until the film's last 20 minutes.All this is turns out to be a cavalcade of Latin music from around the world with major stops in Mexico, Cuba and Brazil. The bongos bong, the castanets click, and the maracas shake, and all this does is show audiences the feathery, fluttery outfits, the wild hats and the twirling fiery dances pretty much exist in all of these countries, whether or not that it is true in real Latin American culture. So in Mexico, there's a chance to hear "Guadalajara", and somebody other than Desi Arnaz/Ricky Ricardo does "Babalu" in Cuba. The film is elegant and pleasant to watch, but more stereotypical well meaning good will that came out of Hollywood (and in smaller cases Broadway) in the 1940's. Robert Benchley is droll as one of Arden's assistants who is the deadpan announcer for the big beauty contest (much like Benchley was in real life for any situation) and Ernest Truex is the Leon Errol like uncle to Long's fiancée (Marc Cramer). For wartime entertainment, it was pure distraction, but other than Arden and a few nice musical numbers, remains pretty innocuous.

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.

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.

timothymcclenaghan Perhaps this film was an attempt to hitch onto the Pan-American goodwill efforts of the 1940s. The contrived plot is a boy-meets-girl story, interrupted by musical performances of Latin American artists, some of which were Carmen Miranda wannabees, and none of which were memorable or even particularly good.Leading man, Phillip Terry, just doesn't seem to have much screen charisma. Supporting cast members, Robert Benchley and Eve Arden, play the same characters that they did in countless other movies, so even their presence doesn't help this film. But don't blame the actors for what amounts to a bad script.If there had been a notable musical performance, or some clever comedy in this movie, there might be a reason to watch it—but there isn't. What's worse is that the print recently broadcast by Turner Classic Movies wasn't in very good condition.