Lupe Velez and Dolores Del Rio were the two manifestations of Hollywood's confusion about Latina women -- exiled from leading roles, they could either only be mysterious and elegant (Del Rio) or a hot-tempered object of fun (Velez). Del Rio's exoticism made it difficult for her to find work during ultra-patriotic World War II but Velez's lack of shame about allowing her "spicy senorita" screen persona to be the butt of the joke ensured plenty of sequels to her hit The Girl From Mexico (1939). In this, the third adventure of newlyweds Dennis (Donald Woods) and Carmelita (Velez), Carmelita has finally had it with her advertising executive husband's inattention and storms off to Reno, divorce capital of the world. When he follows her out there, wackiness ensues. Velez's intentionally broad malapropisms and pratfalls might be a contrivance, but the light, spirit and vim Velez exudes on screen is the real, unfakeable deal.

By Violet LeVoit