Modern Mexico City (1942)
This Traveltalk series short brings us to the capital of Mexico, where we learn a little about the three million people living there. Their living quarters are viewed, as are various monuments found throughout the city, including a monument to George Washington. We also see the Museum of Fine Arts and the Washington Apartments. From here, we visit the bullfights.
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Intense, gripping, stylish and poignant
Good story, Not enough for a whole film
At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.
.Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.
I saw producer/director/narrator James FitzPatrick's travelogue short Modern Mexico City on the TCM site about a year ago but the title wasn't up yet so I originally submitted this comment under Night in Mexico City. Ironic, since there were no night scenes, just daytime ones of the wonderful city that resides south of the border of our country. Among the sites there is a statue of George Washington that we gave to them on the honor of Mexico's 100th year of independence. There's also a mariachi band and some bullfighting (nothing violent, however) and some views of various buildings and apartments. And this short's studio, M-G-M, plugs itself there since they have space in the city. All done to beautiful music and wondrous Technicolor. Modern Mexico City is just one of several shorts that Mr. FitzPatrick made during much of his lifetime that showcased the splendor of the various places he traveled. It is highly recommended.
Modern Mexico City (1942)** 1/2 (out of 4) Entry in MGM's TravelTalk series has James FitzPatrick visiting Mexico. This time out we go to Mexico where we get to see some rather interesting things including a bullfight as well as the Mexican branch of MGM Studios. The bullfighting sequences are rather neat but the most interesting aspect is that we're told the sport is losing fans in favor of baseball, tennis and polo. I'm really not sure how true that is since today the bullfights are still rather popular. I was hoping more time would have gone to the Mexican branch of MGM but we only get to see the outside. There are certainly more up to date documentaries on Mexico but this one here is a nice way to kill nine minutes.