Armida was a vivacious Mexican dancer who came to Hollywood in the initial sound period. Even though 1930 was her most productive year with 4 films (she even co-starred with John Barrymore in "General Crack") she proved no threat to resident "hot cha" Lupe Velez and didn't make another movie until 1934. She came into her own in the late 30s with Hollywood's "Good Neighbour" policy and was sometimes the only reason to watch some pretty dreary movies. Looking at her personality in "The Girl From Monterrey" and "Fiesta" it is difficult to understand why her career didn't take off in those early years. She was just as peppy and talented as Lupe!!!
I don't know what movie the "official" reviewer was watching but this is definitely not a thriller - it is more of a boxing/comedy/ drama with musical highlights and Armida shares top billing with Edgar Kennedy. Lita Valdez's brother, "Baby" (Anthony Caruso), visits her backstage to repay the money she has sent him, to keep him at law school - he is now earning money as a boxer. While there, encouraged by Lita's cries of "Make him fall down"!! he knocks down a couple of men who have insulted her and is instantly noticed by a fight promoter (Edgar Kennedy). "Baby" is a great success in the ring, all due to Lita's encouragement and zany training methods which include boxing/dancing and riding on a motor scooter.
When Lita (Armida) finds a singing job, femme fatale Flo (Veda Ann Borg) moves in on "Baby" - she has been hired by Al Johnson (Jack LaRue of course) to romance the boxer so when he is scheduled to fight Jerry (Lita's sweetheart) he will lose due to "living it up". Meanwhile Lita is heartbroken when she realises that the two men she loves are due to meet in the ring. She also smells a rat - namely Flo, and after going to Flo's apartment and threatening to "Make her fall down", Flo confesses her part in the plot. Flo then repents and starts to give "Baby" the confidence he needs to win but Lita, who thinks Jerry is in on the plot, refuses to speak to him.
Armida sings a couple of songs - "Jive, Brother, Jive" and "The Girl From Monterrey" but apart from "B" stalwarts Jack LaRue and Veda Ann Borg, she is the only reason to watch this very poverty row film.
I don't know what movie the "official" reviewer was watching but this is definitely not a thriller - it is more of a boxing/comedy/ drama with musical highlights and Armida shares top billing with Edgar Kennedy. Lita Valdez's brother, "Baby" (Anthony Caruso), visits her backstage to repay the money she has sent him, to keep him at law school - he is now earning money as a boxer. While there, encouraged by Lita's cries of "Make him fall down"!! he knocks down a couple of men who have insulted her and is instantly noticed by a fight promoter (Edgar Kennedy). "Baby" is a great success in the ring, all due to Lita's encouragement and zany training methods which include boxing/dancing and riding on a motor scooter.
When Lita (Armida) finds a singing job, femme fatale Flo (Veda Ann Borg) moves in on "Baby" - she has been hired by Al Johnson (Jack LaRue of course) to romance the boxer so when he is scheduled to fight Jerry (Lita's sweetheart) he will lose due to "living it up". Meanwhile Lita is heartbroken when she realises that the two men she loves are due to meet in the ring. She also smells a rat - namely Flo, and after going to Flo's apartment and threatening to "Make her fall down", Flo confesses her part in the plot. Flo then repents and starts to give "Baby" the confidence he needs to win but Lita, who thinks Jerry is in on the plot, refuses to speak to him.
Armida sings a couple of songs - "Jive, Brother, Jive" and "The Girl From Monterrey" but apart from "B" stalwarts Jack LaRue and Veda Ann Borg, she is the only reason to watch this very poverty row film.