This week’s mystery movie was the 1934 RKO short La Cucaracha, with Steffi Duna, Don Alvarado and Paul Porcasi.
Directed by Lloyd Corrigan.
Designed in color by Robert Edmond Jones.
Produced by Kenneth MacGowan.
Associate producer Carly Wharton.
Screenplay by John Twist and Jack Wagner.
From a story by Lloyd Corrigan and Carly Wharton.
Technicolor art director Natalie M. Kalmus.
Photographed by Ray Rennahan.
Dance director Russell Lewis.
Musical director Roy Webb.
Eduardo Durant and his orchestra.
Recorded by John L. Cass.
Edited by Archie F. Marshek.
La Cucaracha is available via Amazon and can be found on the Internet.
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I usually skip themed mystery movies, but opted to dig into the Daily Mirror vaults in search of an Academy Award winner for Oscars week and came up with La Cucaracha (1934), which won for best comedy short. It may seem labored, with obvious humor (Mexican food is too spicy!) but the film was a sensation in its day, probably because it’s one of the earliest uses of three-strip Technicolor in a live-action short. (It is often termed the first live-action three-strip Technicolor short, but there are competing claims as well).
The New York Times had little to say about La Cucaracha, aside from noting its existence.
For Monday, we have a mysterious fellow.
Update: This is Sam Appel.
For Tuesday, we have another mysterious fellow.
Update: This is Julian Rivero.
Brain Trust roll call: Mike Hawks (mystery movie and mystery guest) and Bob Hansen (mystery movie).
Note to Sylvia: You’re on the right track.
For “Hm Wednesday,” we have a mysterious fellow.
Update: This is Paul Porcasi.
Brain Trust roll call: Anne Papineau (mystery movie and both mystery guests), Mary Mallory (mystery movie and both mystery guests), Mike Hawks (Tuesday’s mystery guest) and Rick Scott (mystery movie).
For “Aha Thursday,” we have a mysterious fellow.
Update: This is Don Alvarado.
Brain Trust roll call: Mary Mallory (Wednesday’s mysterious fellow), Anne Papineau (Wednesday’s mystery diner), Howard Mandelbaum (mystery movie and Wednesday’s mystery fellow), Mike Hawks (Wednesday’s mystery guest), Sylvia E. (mystery movie and all mystery guests) and Megan and Thom (Wednesday’s mystery guest).
For Friday, we have our mysterious leading lady.
Update: This is Steffi Duna.
Brain Trust roll call: Anne Papineau (Thursday’s mystery guest), Mary Mallory (Thursday’s mystery fellow), Incredible Inman (mystery movie and Wednesday’s mystery guest), Mike Hawks (Thursday’s mystery fellow), Sylvia E. (Thursday’s mysterious guest and enigmatic director) and Howard Mandelbaum (Thursday’s mystery guest).
ladailymirror.com 
Looks like Jackie Gleason maybe?
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Alas, our mystery short predates Jackie Gleason somewhat…
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Go ahead and laugh but I think the gentleman resembles Enrico Caruso.
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An interesting guess! Alas, I’m afraid not. But all will become clear as the week unfolds.
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Sam Appel in LaCucaracha
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This might be from La Cucaracha, from 1934. Don’t know the actor though.
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John Goodman, noooo! PS Sorry
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Other than it seems to be a Cuban band (guy holding what looks like a gigantic guiro in the background), I have no guess.
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Eduardo Durant and his Rhumba Band, and on Tuesday, Julian Rivero in “La Cucaracha.”
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I thought it was this title this morning, but have been busy working on some things. LA CUCARACHA, the first Technicolor short. Eduardo Durant Monday and Julian Rivero today and I assume Rita Cansino will arrive at the end of the week.
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Julian Rivero.
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Looks like “Blood and Sand” of 1941 with Tyrone Power. That’s th closest I can figure.
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Alas, not quite, but all will become clear soon!
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The film
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The film is La Cucaracha. Monday’s guest is Paul Porcasi: Tuesday is Sam Appel.
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The Dancing Pirate.
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Very close!
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Paul Porcasi.
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Paul Porcasi, salad dressing boss
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Paul Porcasi in La Cucharacha.
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Bobby Barber on Wednesday?
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An interesting guess! But alas….
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Paul Porcasi.
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This is a shot in the dark, based totally on your response to Howard’s guess “The Dancing Pirate” and looking up that film and it’s crew.
Is it “La Cucaracha” 1934?
If yes, is Monday’s image – the band leader/band Eduardo Durant and his Rhumba Band
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And I think Paul Porcasi for today.
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Today’s guest is Paul Porcasi.
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On Thursday, Don Alvarado
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Don Alvarado.
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Paul Porcasi for Wednesday, and I think this is “La Cucaracha.”
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Don Alvarado.
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Thursday – I think that’s Don Alvarado
a guess for Tuesday’s guy, Julian Rivero
A hoot to learn that Lloyd Corrigan directed this. His is one of those faces that showed up in a number of movies and TV shows from my childhood. Had no idea he directed, too.
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Don Alvarado
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Steffi Duna. Can”t believe Lloyd Corrigan was my director. I thought this was the film that Rita Cansino and her father danced in.
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Our leading lady, Steffi Duna
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Friday – Steffi Duna
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Steffi Duna.
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Steffi Duna.
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