Reviews

I grew up in Texas and in the early 1990's I was commuting monthly between Austin, Texas and Acapulco, Guerrero, where I now live. I had plenty of road time to listen to Selena, whose "Tex-Mex" music was exactly what I liked best. I looked forward eagerly to this movie, and to the chance to listen to her again.

I was very disappointed to hear so little of her music. Most of what is there is partially obscured by crowd noise and covered by costume changes. That, for a woman whose fame was based on her music, is a real shame. Nevertheless, it's a good show and a decent representation of the life of a very talented young woman whose tragic death came far too soon.

This is a somewhat theatrical but very moving story, based on a play by Lillian Hellman. The action takes place in Venezuela during the early 19th century wars of independence. Five innocent people are being held by the Spanish army which is in pursuit of Simón Bolivar and his revolutionary force. These five have been given just one hour to provide the Spanish with the information that army needs to capture Bolivar, or each of the six will be executed. The tension builds as we wait for their decision; to see whether they will be executed or reprieved. The way in which they deal with each other and come to grips with this situation is moving and realistic.

Light comedy starring Cary Grant and Tony Curtis, who does a stunning caricature of Grant in Some Like it Hot. The picture boasts a very interesting supporting cast, some of whom continued with maritime adventures: Gavin MacLeod (Ernest Hunkle) eventually became Captain of the Love Boat and Arthur O'Connell (Chief) was the chaplain on The Poseidon Adventure. Dick Sergeant (Stovall) became much more famous as Darin on Bewitched and Dina Merril (Lt. Barbara Duran), who with her present husband now owns RKO Pictures, is the daughter of E.F.Hutton and Marjorie Merriwether Post, whose first husband is actress Glenn Close's grandfather.