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Cantinflas and the Chaos of Mexican Modernity is a revealing probe into the life and times of Mario Moreno, Latin America's most famous film star from the 1940s to the 1970s. This book helps to illuminate the social and cultural history of twentieth-century Mexico. Cantinflas (Moreno's film persona) was the most popular movie star in Mexican history. A fast-talking, nonsensical character, he helped Mexicans embrace their rich mestizo identity and cope with the difficulties of modernization. For thirty years he served as a 'weapon of the weak,' satirizing corrupt officials and pompous elites who victimized Mexico's urban poor.
This is a valuable text for courses on Mexican history and Latin American film.
List of contents
Chapter 1 List of illustrations Chapter 2 Acknowledgments Chapter 3 Chronology Chapter 4 Introduction Chapter 5 From Vale Coyote to the Carpa Valentina Chapter 6 Ambiguous Profiles Chapter 7 The Details of Fame Chapter 8 Syndicalism and Stardom Chapter 9 The Magician Chapter 10 Around the World or Just the Studio Chapter 11 A Modern Quixote Chapter 12 Conclusion Chapter 13 Notes Chapter 14 Bibliographical Essay Chapter 15 Index
About the author
author of Planet Taco: A Global History of Mexican Food
