The Broken Wing (1932)

7/10

jjturley4 April 2005

This story takes place in a small dusty town which has the perfect look of the Old West. Filmed long ago in 1932, it well might have looked like that in real life! It is very much off the beaten path and near the Mexican border. There are colorful Mexican cowboys with guitars and friendly though meek townsfolk. Captain Innocencio (Leo Carrillo) practices "frontier justice", just one of several responsibilities he has in running the town. Whatever he says goes! But there is something more important to Captain Innocencio than the town's affairs: He is trying to win the heart of Lolita (Lupe Velez), the daughter of a wealthy rancher. Lolita is a spunky young woman who shows Captain Innocencio that she won't give in to him like the other townsfolk do. Therefore, the poor captain must instead rely solely on his charms which are somewhat awkward. Showing up for dinner one evening, the captain accidentally steps on Lolita's flowers, and she gives him a telling off! You can't help but feel sorry for him...

Lolita gets her fortune read and learns that her "true love" will appear later in the evening after a dramatic lightening storm. As Captain Innocencio smirks, there are flashes outside. A sudden storm has appeared! Shortly after, a dashing young pilot caught in the storm arrives in need of shelter.

Where does this handsome stranger come from? Is he Lolita's "true love"? And do we expect Captain Innocencio to sit by quietly during this unexpected turn of events? Stay tuned and find out!

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5/10

One for those of us who like to see lots of real bad acting!

JohnHowardReid6 December 2017

Warning: Spoilers

Melvyn Douglas may not seem like your typical noir hero. Indeed, in "The Broken Wing" (1932), in the glare of the studio's kleig lights and minus his trademark mustache, he doesn't even look like Melvyn Douglas.

Not that all this matters in the least, as the action is hogged by Leo Carrillo at his most carelessly hammy (although he's supposed to be playing a Mexican, he speaks Spanish with a decidedly gringo accent).

Poorly photographed Lupe Velez runs Carrillo a close second in the amateur theatrics department.

Lloyd Corrigan's lackluster direction doesn't help, but the movie has curiosity value as it has obviously been little changed from the amazingly successful (248 performances) Broadway play of 1920, a play that in the words of one critic was long on noirishly convoluted plotting but rather short on sense.

As stated above, the movie is even longer on hammy acting, with even reliable performers like George Barbier sinning atrociously.

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4/10

Mexican Melodrama.

mark.waltz11 November 2023

Warning: Spoilers

The diminutive spitfire Lupe Velez certainly always grabbed the spotlight, but the attention she demanded wasn't necessarily giving the reaction she hoped for. Her early sound films has her over-the-top and more brash than mesmerizing. As a young Mexican girl in a border town, she's tired of being exploited by the powerful Leo Carrillo (equally hammy) and longs for something more serious. A prediction of how she will find her true love leads her into the arms of amnesiac American pilot Melvyn Douglas, and with Carrillo interfering, his past will certainly be exposed.

Velez wears a lot of traditional Mexican style outfits, is stunning to look at, but the script is corny and the performances by Velez and Carrlo laughable at times. Douglas plays the role completely straight, doesn't bellow his lines (even when the situation calls for heavy emoting), and walks off with acting honors. George Barbier also scores as an obviously American man whom Velez refers to as "father". Priest or surrogate is never explained. It's glamorously filmed but just silly and mostly unbelievable. Not even memorable for subtle pre-code elements. Velez would score better work later on, especially when cast opposite Leon Errol in the "Mexican Spitfire" series.

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8/10

Lupe Velez

januszlvii16 January 2023

Warning: Spoilers

The Broken Wing is an interesting movie. Despite its title ( which you would think is a heavy drama), is a funny comedy. That said in order to enjoy the movie you must like Lupe Velez ( Lolita) and not be woke and bothered by how Mexicans are shown ( especially Captain Innocencio ( Leo Carrillo)). I read this movie was actually banned in Mexico City for this reason. I however enjoy the Mexican Spitfire act of Lupe's, and think she does a great job here. The story is about Lolita who lives with her American Father ( she was adopted), in a small Mexican town along the US Border. Captain Innocencio wants to marry her, but as she says about him "If he was one of only two men in the World, I would try the other one first." He is corrupt and runs the town like a King and only Lolita stands up to him. She believes her true love will come to her from the sky, and sure enough pilot Phil Marvin ( a very unrecognizable Melvin Douglas without his mustache) crash lands in her town. He ends up with amnesia, but there are a lot worse places to end up with then with Lupe Velez. Spoilers ahead: They do end up together but the ending is 100% Pre-Code and very unexpected. I will not give it away.except to say it is not bad for Lolita and Phil. You can find this rare movie ( one I have been looking for) on OK. RU. I give it 8/10 stars.

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