Two Cuban brothers bring a new music to the 1950s USA. They are as different as the problems that await them.
Director:
Writers:
Stars:
Awards:
- Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 5 nominations.
- See more »
Photos and Videos
Cast verified as complete
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Pablo Calogero | ... |
Ramon - The Mambo Kings Band
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| Scott Cohen | ... |
Bernardito - The Mambo Kings Band
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Mario Grillo | ... |
Mario - The Mambo Kings Band
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Ralph Irizarry | ... |
Pito - The Mambo Kings Band
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| Pete Macnamara | ... |
Johnny Bing - The Mambo Kings Band
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James Medina | ... |
Manny - The Mambo Kings Band
(as Jimmy Medina)
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Marcos Quintanilla | ... |
Willie - The Mambo Kings Band
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| James 'JT' Taylor | ... |
Frankie Suarez - The Mambo Kings Band
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William Thomas Jr. | ... |
Xavier - The Mambo Kings Band
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| Yul Vazquez | ... |
Flaco - The Mambo Kings Band
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| Armand Assante | ... |
Cesar Castillo
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| Antonio Banderas | ... |
Nestor Castillo
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| Cathy Moriarty | ... |
Lanna Lake
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| Maruschka Detmers | ... |
Delores Fuentes
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| Desi Arnaz Jr. | ... |
Desi Arnaz Sr.
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| Celia Cruz | ... |
Evalina Montoya
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| Roscoe Lee Browne | ... |
Fernando Perez
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| Vondie Curtis-Hall | ... |
Miguel Montoya
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| Tito Puente | ... |
Tito Puente
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| Talisa Soto | ... |
Maria Rivera
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| Joe Petruzzi | ... |
Carlo Ricci
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| Anh Duong | ... |
Ismelda Perez
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Cordelia González | ... |
Anna Maria
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Theodora Castellanos | ... |
Blanca
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Lázaro Pérez | ... |
Pablo
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Helena Carroll | ... |
Mrs. Shannon
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John Herrera | ... |
Luis Fajardo
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Colleen Fitzpatrick | ... |
Redhead on Bus
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Jose Duvall | ... |
Nando
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Joe Conzo | ... |
Killer
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Millie P. | ... |
Killer's Girlfriend
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| Doug Barron | ... |
Mike Wells
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Jose Alberto | ... |
Johnny Casanova
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| Machito | ... |
Machito
(as Frank Grillo)
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Ron Townson | ... |
Empire M.C.
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| June Brown | ... |
Portly Woman
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| Valerie McIntosh | ... |
Tracy Blair
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| Jonathan Del Arco | ... |
Young Cesar
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Salvador Miranda | ... |
Young Nestor
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| Carlos Gómez | ... |
Creep
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Adrian Martinez | ... |
Pablito
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Rene Monteaqudo | ... |
Robertico
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Cecelia Neal Ortiz | ... |
Leticia
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Jessica Neal Ortiz | ... |
Leticia
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| Thomas F. Duffy | ... |
Mulligan
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Martin Charles Warner | ... |
Mac
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Joycelyn O'Brien | ... |
Gina
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Diane Manzo | ... |
Amanda
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Jessica Z. Diamond | ... |
Secretary
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Stephanie Blake | ... |
Stripper
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Anita Banderas | ... |
Anita
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Ryan Howell | ... |
Kid with Basketball
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Dawn McKinster | ... |
Poolside Patron
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Karen Assante | ... |
Karen
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| Julie Pinson | ... |
Girlfriend #2
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| Cynthia DeCure | ... |
Mario's Girlfriend
(as Cynthia Santos)
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Susie Stillwell | ... |
Club Patron
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Maiquel Saurez | ... |
Cleaning Woman
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Natalie Zimmerman | ... |
Girlfriend #3
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Debra Scott | ... |
Enchantment
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Sonny Bravo | ... |
Piano Player
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| Rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
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Tina Cote | ... |
Extra (uncredited)
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| Michael Dierks | ... |
Dancer (uncredited)
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| Colton Green | ... |
Dancer (uncredited)
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Jillian Jourdan | ... |
Dancer (uncredited)
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Candace Mead | ... |
Child (uncredited)
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Lauren Mead | ... |
Child (uncredited)
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Josephine Powell | ... |
Blonde Patron at Ballroom and Nightclub (uncredited)
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Jim Rhine | ... |
Drunk Party Guest (uncredited)
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| Stan Rodarte | ... |
Dancer (uncredited)
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| Alif Sankey | ... |
Dancer (uncredited)
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| Vincent Tumeo | ... |
Featured Dancer (uncredited)
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Tony Álvarez | ... |
Dancer (uncredited)
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Directed by
| Arne Glimcher | ||
Written by
| Oscar Hijuelos | ... | (novel) |
| Cynthia Cidre | ... | (screenplay) |
Produced by
| Jack B. Bernstein | ... | co-producer |
| Arne Glimcher | ... | producer |
| Arnon Milchan | ... | producer |
| Anna Reinhardt | ... | associate producer |
| Steven Reuther | ... | executive producer |
Music by
| Carlos Franzetti | ||
| Robert Kraft | ||
Cinematography by
| Michael Ballhaus | ... | director of photography |
Editing by
| Claire Simpson | ||
| Glenn Lazzaro | ... | (uncredited) |
Editorial Department
| Gary Burritt | ... | negative cutter |
| Nancy Frazen | ... | first assistant editor: Los Angeles |
| Clare Larson | ... | first assistant editor |
| Anne McCabe | ... | apprentice editor |
| David Orr | ... | color timer |
| John Reul | ... | assistant editor: Los Angeles |
| Judy Silberstein | ... | associate editor |
Casting By
| Suzanne Crowley | ||
| Billy Hopkins | ||
Production Design by
| Stuart Wurtzel | ||
Art Direction by
| Steve Saklad | ||
Set Decoration by
| Kara Lindstrom | ||
Costume Design by
| Gary Jones | ||
| Bridget Kelly | ||
| Ann Roth | ||
Makeup Department
| Teresa M. Austin | ... | key makeup artist |
| Dennis Glas | ... | key makeup artist (as Dennis Glass) |
| Medusah | ... | hair department head |
| Josée Normand | ... | key hair stylist |
| Valli O'Reilly | ... | makeup department head |
Production Management
| Mark Allan | ... | unit production manager |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
| Jan Sebastian Ballhaus | ... | second second assistant director (as Jan S. Ballhaus) |
| Simone Farber | ... | dga trainee |
| Benjamin Rosenberg | ... | first assistant director |
| Michael Samson | ... | second assistant director |
Art Department
| Daniel W. Blaha | ... | propmaker |
| John P. Bruce | ... | set designer |
| Patrick Cassidy | ... | leadman |
| Andrea Mae Fenton | ... | set decorating buyer |
| Emily Ferry | ... | property master |
| Ted Haigh | ... | graphic designer |
| Debe Hale | ... | assistant art director |
| Ted Hardwick | ... | swing gang |
| Kalina Ivanov | ... | storyboard artist |
| Wayne Kerner | ... | sign writer supervisor |
| Roger Meryett | ... | construction foreman (as Roger D. Meryett) |
| José Luis Moya | ... | construction assistant |
| Ramón Moya | ... | construction manager |
| Chuck Roseberry | ... | swing gang |
| Gabrielle Rosenberg | ... | 2nd Unit |
| Patti Safian | ... | art department coordinator |
| John H. Samson | ... | construction coordinator |
| Ernest M. Sanchez | ... | on-set dresser |
| Monti Santilli Rainbolt | ... | swing gang (as Monti Rainbolt) |
| Jesse Siono Jr. | ... | stand-by painter (as Jesse Siono) |
| Joy Taylor | ... | assistant property master |
| Philip Toolin | ... | set designer |
| Greg Wilkinson | ... | assistant props |
| Helen Wilson | ... | set dresser |
| Timothy O'Brien | ... | carpenter (uncredited) |
| Michael Ogle | ... | carpenter (uncredited) |
| Eric Yount | ... | carpenter (uncredited) |
Sound Department
| Albert Aquino | ... | boom operator |
| Elisha Birnbaum | ... | foley artist |
| David Boulton | ... | adr engineer |
| Kristine Bulakowski | ... | assistant adr editor |
| Vince Caro | ... | additional recording engineer |
| Anthony J. Ciccolini III | ... | sound editor (as Anthony Ciccolini III) |
| Elliot Deitch | ... | sound editor |
| Lee Dichter | ... | re-recording mixer |
| Eugene Gearty | ... | sound effects editor |
| Harry Higgins | ... | machine room supervisor |
| Scott Jacobs | ... | boom operator |
| Neil L. Kaufman | ... | sound editor |
| Kerry Kelley | ... | machine room supervisor |
| Richard Q. King | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Michael Kirchberger | ... | supervising sound editor |
| George A. Lara | ... | foley mixer |
| Tony Martinez | ... | group adr editor |
| Antonio Martínez | ... | adr editor |
| Jane McCulley | ... | supervising adr editor |
| Eytan Mirsky | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Bitty O'Sullivan-Smith | ... | sound editor |
| Harry Peck Bolles | ... | adr editor |
| Josephine Powell | ... | sound track consultant |
| Michael Shore | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Joel Shryack | ... | cable person |
| Paul P. Soucek | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Dominick Tavella | ... | foley mixer |
| Susumu Tokunow | ... | sound mixer |
| Brian Vancho | ... | foley artist |
| Susan M. Wagner | ... | assistant sound editor |
| Kurt Peterson | ... | sound transfer (uncredited) |
Special Effects by
| Kam Cooney | ... | special effects coordinator (as M. Kam Cooney) |
| Edward Kennedy | ... | special effects assistant |
Stunts
| Mary Albee | ... | stunts |
| Paul Baxley | ... | stunt coordinator |
| Kurt D. Lott | ... | stunts |
| Jim Stephan | ... | stunts (as Jim Stephen) |
Camera and Electrical Department
| Ismael Araujo Jr. | ... | grip |
| Florian Ballhaus | ... | first assistant camera |
| Michael Berger | ... | rigging electrician |
| James F. Cornick | ... | rigger |
| J. Patrick Daily | ... | key grip |
| David M. Dunlap | ... | camera operator |
| Sam Emerson | ... | still photographer (as Sam Young Emerson) |
| Kent H. Jorgensen | ... | dolly grip |
| Gábor Kövér | ... | director of photography: second unit |
| Michael McGuire | ... | rigging key grip |
| Charlie McIntyre | ... | rigging gaffer (as Charles H. McIntyre III) |
| John 'Fest' Sandau | ... | assistant chief lighting technician |
| Michael J. Schwartz | ... | rigging electric |
| Cricket Sloat | ... | dimmer board operator |
| Jeffrey Thorin | ... | second assistant camera |
| James R. Tynes | ... | chief lighting technician |
| Tom West | ... | best boy grip (as Tom W. West) |
| Eric Whitehead | ... | grip |
| Mark Mele | ... | rigging electrician (uncredited) |
| Randy Nolen | ... | steadicam operator (uncredited) |
| Lowell Peterson | ... | camera operator: "b" camera (uncredited) |
Casting Department
| Ed Arenas | ... | location casting |
| Ann Goulder | ... | casting associate: New York |
| David H. Kramer | ... | adr voice casting |
| Rick Montgomery | ... | additional casting |
| Dan Parada | ... | additional casting |
| Dixie Webster | ... | additional casting |
Costume and Wardrobe Department
| Cheryl Beasley Blackwell | ... | costumer |
| Bruce Ericksen | ... | costume supervisor |
| Donna Maloney | ... | costumer |
| David Mayreis | ... | costumer |
Location Management
| Robert Chambers | ... | assistant location manager |
| Karen White | ... | location manager |
Music Department
| Lori Andrews | ... | musician |
| David Carbonara | ... | music editor |
| Thomas S. Drescher | ... | music editor (as Thomas Drescher) |
| Michael Farrow | ... | music recording engineer |
| Michael Golub | ... | music recording engineer |
| Christopher Kennedy | ... | music editor |
| Dan Korintus | ... | additional music editor |
| Robert Kraft | ... | Composer/Executive Music Producer |
| Pete Macnamara | ... | musician: trumpet coach |
| Shawn Murphy | ... | song recordist |
| Johnny Pacheco | ... | music consultant |
| Ray Santos | ... | music consultant |
| Robin Urdang | ... | music coordinator |
| Frank Wolf | ... | music recording engineer |
| Birch Johnson | ... | musician: trombone (uncredited) |
Script and Continuity Department
| Judith Saunders | ... | script supervisor |
Transportation Department
| Bo Falck | ... | transportation captain |
| Michael Forte | ... | driver: Antonio Banderos |
| Bruce Hauer | ... | transportation captain |
| Dusty Saunders | ... | transportation coordinator |
Additional Crew
| Lester Ayala | ... | production assistant |
| Edward Bates | ... | production assistant |
| Shauna Beal | ... | assistant: Mr. Milchan |
| Kim Blank | ... | choreographer: assistant / dancer |
| Bryan Constans | ... | production assistant |
| Patrick Ewald | ... | assistant: Ms. Reinhardt |
| Ellen Glimcher | ... | production assistant |
| Barbara A. Hall | ... | production coordinator |
| Adam Ivers | ... | assistant: Mr. Bernstein |
| Eric Jacobson | ... | production assistant (as Eric R. Jacobson) |
| Ken Kaufman | ... | technical director |
| Christopher Landry | ... | extras coordinator |
| Lynn Mackey | ... | production secretary |
| Bill McLaren | ... | production assistant |
| Brian McMillan | ... | head animal trainer |
| Leigh A. Miller | ... | production coordinator |
| Carlos Montaner | ... | production assistant |
| Nancy Beth Orr | ... | choreographer |
| Sharon Perl-Collins | ... | production controller (as Sharon Perl) |
| Michael Peters | ... | choreographer |
| Josephine Powell | ... | consultant to producer |
| Luke Reichle | ... | production assistant |
| Seth Riggs | ... | voice coach |
| Lolita Ritmanis | ... | additional arrangement |
| Eric Roberts | ... | craft service |
| Debra Scott | ... | assistant: Mr. Reuther |
| Diane Seniw | ... | assistant production accountant (as Diane M. Seniw) |
| James D. Solomon | ... | associate: Arne Glimcher |
| Shawn Stevens | ... | crafts service/catering |
| Nancy Willen | ... | unit publicist |
| Dominic Marcus | ... | adr supporting artist (uncredited) |
Thanks
| Dan Stein | ... | special thanks |
Production Companies
Distributors
- Warner Bros. (1992) (United States) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1992) (United Kingdom) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. Film (1992) (Sweden) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1992) (Norway) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1992) (Spain) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1992) (France) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. (1992) (Japan) (theatrical)
- Warner Bros. Pictures (1992) (Argentina) (theatrical)
- Argentina Video Home (1992) (Argentina) (VHS)
- Roadshow Films (1992) (Australia) (theatrical)
- Argentina Video Home (2000) (Argentina) (DVD)
- HanseSound (2012) (Germany) (DVD)
- HanseSound (2012) (Germany) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
- United Paramount Network (UPN) (United States) (tv)
- WWOR (United States) (tv)
- Warner Bros. Home Video (Mexico) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (1992) (Australia) (VHS)
- Warner Home Video (2006) (Germany) (DVD)
- Warner Home Vídeo (Brazil) (video)
Special Effects
Other Companies
- DeLuxe Laboratories (color)
- Direct Tools & Fasteners (expendables)
- Dolby Stereo (in selected theatres)
- Elektra Records (soundtrack)
- Henry Medina Archives (film and photographic library)
- Hollywood Rental Company (grip and electric equipment)
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) (this picture made under the jurisdiction of)
- Motion Picture Association (MPA)
- Pacific Studios II (chromatrans background)
- Pacific Title (titles)
- Technicolor (prints)
- The Casting Group (extras casting)
- The Effects House (additional opticals)
- Visual Icon (exclusive clip and still licensing)
Storyline
| Plot Summary |
Musician brothers Cesar and Nestor leave Cuba for America in the 1950s, hoping to hit the top of the Latin music scene. Cesar is the older brother, the business manager, and the ladies' man. Nestor is the brooding songwriter, who cannot forget the woman in Cuba who broke his heart. Written by Dehlia |
| Plot Keywords | |
| Taglines | With a suitcase full of song and hearts filled with passion, two brothers come to America in search of a dream. See more » |
| Genres | |
| Parents Guide | View content advisory » |
| Certification |
Additional Details
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Box Office
| Budget | $15,500,000 (estimated) |
Did You Know?
| Trivia | Antonio Banderas couldn't speak English when this movie was filmed, and thus performed all his lines phonetically. Armand Assante couldn't speak Spanish and also performed all his lines phonetically. See more » |
| Goofs | When the Castillo brothers first approach New York City in the early 1950s, the World Trade Center towers are visible in the skyline; they weren't built until the early 1970s. See more » |
| Movie Connections | Featured in Memoirs of an Invisible Man/Under Suspicion/The Mambo Kings/This Is My Life (1992). See more » |
| Soundtracks | Mambo Caliente See more » |
| Quotes |
Cesar Castillo:
In the name of the Mambo, the Rumba, and the Cha cha cha. See more » |