Films

Latin Lovers (MGM 1953)

Lana and Ricardo Montalban in 1953's "Latin Lovers". Lou Valentino Collection.

Production Dates: December 2, 1952-Mid January, 1953

Release Date: August 12, 1953.

Credited Cast and Crew:

Lana Turner, Ricardo Montalban, John Lund, Louis Calhern.

Directed by: Mervyn LeRoy

Writing Credits: Isobel Lennart

Produced by: Joe Pasternak

Original Music by: Nicholas Brodszky

Cinematography by: Joseph Ruttenburg

Synopsis: Nora Taylor's dilemma: What good is having all of the money in the world if there is no one you can truly trust?

My Review: Pure escapist fluff as only MGM could do it. Having heard very little about this film, I found it to be a pleasant surprise. Ricardo Montalban, as Roberto Santos, is a great romantic foil for Lana and they work beautifully together. There is a scene at the beginning of the film, with Nora telling her psychiatrist about how, as a little girl, she was very poor and all she had was some marbles, which everyone envied, that tugged at my heartstrings. It made me  think that perhaps Lana was drawing on some of her own childhood memories. Mervyn Leroy, who discovered Lana, directed this film, and always had a knack for getting a great performance out of her (see Homecoming).

Your Review: What are YOUR thoughts on this film? Contact me at Liza@lanaturneronline.com

Highlights and Trivia

*Actor Fernando Lamas was originally cast as Lana's "Latin Lover" Roberto Santos but when he and Lana had a falling out (at a party at Marion Davies' beach house she accepted a dance from actor Lex Barker. When she asked Lamas if it would be ok, he said sure, however when she returned to the table, Lamas began making a scene, so much that Lana asked him to take her home. Once they got there a physical altercation began, with Lamas physically injuring Lana) he was replaced by actor Ricardo Motalban.

Purchase Latin Lovers:

VHS

 

Photo Gallery

Lana checking out publicity stills for "Latin Lovers" in the MGM dark room, 1953. Lou Valentino Collection.    Lana sports a beret in 1953's "Latin Lovers". Lou Valentino Collection.    Lana sports lace and an attitude to match in 1953's "Latin Lovers".    Ricardo Montalban embraces Lana in this publicity still from 1953's "Latin Lovers".    Ricardo Montalban reasoning with Lana in 1953's "Latin Lovers".    Ricardo Montalban is so happy to see Lana in 1953's "Latin Lovers".    A lobby card for 1953's "Latin Lovers".    A lobby card for 1953's "Latin Lovers".    A lobby card for 1953's "Latin Lovers".

A lobby card for 1953's "Latin Lovers".    A lobby card for 1953's "Latin Lovers".    A lobby card for 1953's "Latin Lovers".    Lana holds a board meeting in 1953's "Latin Lovers".    Lana and Ricardo Montalban make like they are in "From Here to Eternity" but they are actually in 1953's "Latin Lovers".    Lana and actor John Lund in a publicity still for 1953's "Latin Lovers".    Ricardo Montalban and John Lund admire Lana in this publicity still for 1953's "Latin Lovers".

 

 

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