Andalousie (1951) - film review

Popular bullfighter Juanito returns to his village in Andalousie and promises his girlfriend Dolorès that he will give up his dangerous career after his next tour if she will give up dancing.  Whilst Juanito is in Madrid, he meets a beautiful cabaret singer, Fanny Miller, who instantly falls in love with him.  Fanny intercepts Dolorès’ letters to Juanito and, feeling rejected, the bullfighter transfers his attentions to Dolorès.  When he returns to Andalousie, Juanito realises that he still loves Dolorès, but she apparently no longer has any affection for him...

Andalousie is a film version of one of a number of popular operettas starring the Spanish popular music idol of the late 1940s, Luis Mariano.  Although the film now looks somewhat dated and unsophisticated, it was hugely successful in its day, and its blend of comedy, romantic drama and music is not unappealing.

Extensive location filming, including staged bullfight sequences, vividly evoke the film’s setting and époque.  However, it is the music and dance routines which provide the greatest satisfaction, and it is easy to see why Luis Mariano was one of the most adored singers of his generation.

© James Travers 2001

Write a review for this film...

What do you think of this film?