Viva Villa! facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Viva Villa! |
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Film poster
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| Directed by | Jack Conway Uncredited: Howard Hawks William Wellman |
| Produced by | David O. Selznick |
| Written by | Ben Hecht Uncredited: Howard Hawks James Kevin McGuinness Howard Emmett Rogers |
| Starring | Wallace Beery Fay Wray Leo Carrillo |
| Music by | Herbert Stothart |
| Cinematography | Charles G. Clarke James Wong Howe |
| Editing by | Robert J. Kern |
| Distributed by | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer |
| Release date(s) | April 10, 1934 |
| Running time | 115 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1,022,000 |
| Money made | $1,969,000 (worldwide rentals) |
Viva Villa! is an American movie from 1934. It was directed by Jack Conway and stars Wallace Beery as the famous Mexican revolutionary, Pancho Villa. The story for the movie was written by Ben Hecht. It was based on a book called Viva Villa! by Edgecumb Pinchon and O. B. Stade.
The film was made in Mexico and produced by David O. Selznick. Other people like Howard Hawks and William A. Wellman also helped with the script and directing, but they were not officially named in the credits. The movie tells a made-up story about Pancho Villa's life. It also features Fay Wray, who was famous for her role in King Kong the year before.
Contents
Story of the Film
The movie begins in the 1880s in Chihuahua, Mexico. A young boy named Pancho Villa sees his poor father lose his land. His father is then badly hurt for speaking out. Young Pancho Villa takes revenge on one of the people responsible and runs away to the hills.
As an adult, Villa leads a group of rebels. They fight against rich landowners and become heroes to the poor people, called "peons." Villa's trusted friend, Sierra, is part of his group.
Meeting Madero
A rich man named Don Felipe helps Villa meet Francisco Madero. Madero is a respected leader who is unhappy with how Mexico is being ruled by President Porfirio Díaz. Madero convinces Villa to fight for freedom for everyone, not just for himself. Villa, who is not educated, respects Madero and agrees to join his cause. Villa also likes Teresa, Don Felipe's sister. Even though Villa has many women in his life, including his wife Rosita, he is drawn to Teresa.
Villa's Fame
An American newspaper reporter named Johnny Sykes becomes friends with Villa. Sykes writes exciting stories about Villa, making him famous. Sykes mistakenly reports that Villa has already taken over a village called Santa Rosalia. To help his reporter friend, Villa decides to attack Santa Rosalia and also Juarez, even though it goes against orders from Madero and General Pascal.
Changes in Power
Madero eventually becomes president in Mexico City. He asks Villa to send his army home. Villa agrees, but then his friend Sierra causes trouble by hurting a bank teller. Because of this, Villa is sentenced to death. General Pascal, who dislikes Villa, enjoys seeing Villa beg for his life. However, Madero sends a message saying Villa should be sent out of the country instead of being killed.
Villa Returns
Villa feels alone and forgotten in El Paso, Texas. Sykes visits him and tells him that Madero has been killed by Pascal and his men. Villa returns to Mexico and gathers a huge army. They attack the capital city. Pascal is captured and faces a harsh end. Villa takes what he wants, but when Teresa resists him, she uses a gun her brother gave her for protection. Sierra steps in and harms her.
Villa's Legacy
Villa makes himself president, but he struggles to bring back Madero's dream of giving land to Mexico's poor. He eventually agrees to step down and go back to his old life, including being with his wife. However, before he can, Don Felipe attacks Villa to get revenge for his sister. Sykes is with Villa and promises to keep his memory alive. He tells Villa that he is no longer just news, but a part of history.
Main Actors
- Wallace Beery as Pancho Villa
- Leo Carrillo as Sierra
- Fay Wray as Teresa
- Donald Cook as Don Felipe de Castillo
- Stuart Erwin as Jonny Sykes
- Henry B. Walthall as Francisco Madero
- Joseph Schildkraut as Gen. Pascal
- Katherine DeMille as Rosita Morales
- George E. Stone as Emilio Chavito
- Phillip Cooper as Pancho Villa as a boy
- David Durand as Bugle boy
- Frank Puglia as Pancho Villa's father
- Ralph Bushman as Wallace Calloway, reporter
- Adrian Rosley as Alphonso Mendoza
- Henry Armetta as Alfredo Mendosa
Making and Releasing the Film
Filming for Viva Villa! started in 1932 in Mexico, led by David O. Selznick. It took a long time for the movie to be finished and released in April 1934.
Changes During Production
Originally, Lee Tracy was supposed to play Jonny Sykes, but he was replaced by Stuart Erwin. Also, Pancho Villa's real son, Pancho Augustin Villa Jr., was chosen to play young Pancho Villa in the movie. The film also had problems with its script, needing three different writers and two uncredited directors (William Wellman and Howard Hawks) to help finish it.
Premiere and Reception
Viva Villa! first showed at the Paramount Theatre in Los Angeles on May 17, 1934. When the movie premiered in Mexico on September 7, 1934, the showing was interrupted by firecrackers.
Awards
Viva Villa! was nominated for several important awards:
- Academy Award for Best Picture (Best Movie)
- Assistant Director (John S. Waters) - Winner
- Writing (Adaptation) (Ben Hecht)
- Sound Recording (Douglas Shearer)
See also
In Spanish: Viva Villa! para niños
- Let's Go with Pancho Villa - a 1936 Mexican film about Villa
- And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself, starring Antonio Banderas
