René Cardona (October 8, 1905 in

Havana Havana (; Spanish: ''La Habana'' ) is the capital and largest city of Cuba. The heart of the La Habana Province, Havana is the country's main port and commercial center.

Cuba Cuba ( , ), officially the Republic of Cuba ( es, República de Cuba, links=no ), is an island country comprising the island of Cuba, as well as Isla de la Juventud and several minor archipelagos. Cuba is located where the northern Caribbea ...

– April 25, 1988, in

Mexico City Mexico City ( es, link=no, Ciudad de México, ; abbr.: CDMX; Nahuatl: ''Altepetl Mexico'') is the capital and largest city of Mexico, and the most populous city in North America. One of the world's alpha cities, it is located in the Valley o ...

) was a director, actor, producer, screenwriter, and film editor in the

Golden Age of Mexican cinema The Golden Age of Mexican cinema ( es, Época de Oro del Cine Mexicano) is a period in the history of the Cinema of Mexico between 1930 and 1969 when the Mexican film industry reached high levels of production, quality and economic success of its ...

Biography

René Cardona was born in Havana, Cuba, on October 8, 1905, and began medical school in Cuba, but due to the political problems of the island, he and his family moved to

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...

in 1926, where he continued his studies. Economic circumstances experienced by his family caused him to leave his studies. He befriended famous actor

Rodolfo Valentino Rodolfo Pietro Filiberto Raffaello Guglielmi di Valentina d'Antonguolla (May 6, 1895 – August 23, 1926), known professionally as Rudolph Valentino and nicknamed The Latin Lover, was an Italian actor based in the United States who starred ...

and obtained work as an extra in several films, until 1929 when he produced, wrote, directed and starred in the first Spanish-language film made in Hollywood, ''Sombras habaneras'' (''Havana Shadows''). He also had the opportunity to work in various positions in the film industry such as second assistant, technical advisor and first assistant director, and learned film and lighting technique. In 1932, he moved to

Mexico Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatema ...

, where he debuted as an actor and met Julieta Zacarías, sister of the director

Miguel Zacarías Miguel Zacarías Nogaim (19 March 1905 – 20 April 2006) was a Mexican film director, producer, and writer. Career Zacarías began directing for film in 1933. Even from his early career he developed a reputation for recognizing new acting ...

, and soon after married her. His wife's support would be central to his career in Mexican cinema, in films ''Mano a mano'' (1932) directed by Ramón Peón and '' Sobre las olas'' (1932) directed by Zacarías. At this early stage as an actor, Cardona participated in three key Mexican films ''Marihuana'' (1936), ''El baúl macabro'' (1936) and ''

Allá en el Rancho Grande ''Allá en el Rancho Grande'' ( en, Out on the Great Ranch) is a 1936 Mexican romantic drama film directed by Fernando de Fuentes and starring Tito Guízar and Esther Fernández. The film is considered to be the one that started the Golden Age ...

'' (1936), which officially inaugurate the golden age of Mexican cinema and made stars of its protagonists:

Esther Fernández María Esther Fernández González (23 August 1915 – 21 October 1999) was a Mexican actress. Life and career Esther Fernández began her career as an extra in the film '' La Mujer del Puerto'' (1934). Her first starring role was in the early ho ...

Tito Guízar Federico Arturo Guízar Tolentino (; April 8, 1908 – December 24, 1999), known professionally as Tito Guízar, was a Mexican singer and actor. Along with Dolores del Río, Ramón Novarro and Lupe Vélez, as well as José Mojica, Guízar was ...

, and Cardona.

Film directing

After the success of ''Allá en el Rancho Grande'' (1936), the following year Cardona decided to direct his first film in Mexico, ''

Don Juan Tenorio ''Don Juan Tenorio: Drama religioso-fantástico en dos partes'' (Don Juan Tenorio: Religious-Fantasy Drama in Two Parts) is a play written in 1844 by José Zorrilla. It is the more romantic of the two principal Spanish-language literary interpr ...

'', in which he also starred. Although it was not a success, it did not stop Cardona. He directed ''Allá en el Rancho Chico'' (1938) and ''La reina del río'' (1939), debuting two future stars:

Blanca Estela Pavón María Blanca Estela Pavón Vasconcelos (February 21, 1926 – September 26, 1949) was a Mexican film actress and singer of the Golden Age of Mexican cinema. She appeared in many classic films of the 1940s as a young woman. Her career peaked ...

in the first and

Susana Guízar Susana Guízar (1922–1997) was a Mexican film actress.Arredondo p.90 Selected filmography * '' Neither Blood Nor Sand'' (1941) * '' Jesusita in Chihuahua'' (1942) * '' The Two Orphans'' (1944) * ''Lady Windermere's Fan'' (1944) * ''The House of ...

in the second. His 1939 ''El Cobardo'' starred

Julián Soler Julián Soler (born Julián Díaz Pavia; 17 February 1907 – 5 May 1977) was a Mexican film director, actor, and screenwriter of the Golden Age of Mexican cinema. In his career spanning half a century, Soler received two Ariel Award nominations ...

. Shortly after, he directed the stellar performances of

Pedro Infante Pedro Infante Cruz (; 18 November 1917 – 15 April 1957) was a Mexican ranchera music singer and actor, whose career spanned the golden age of Mexican cinema. His popularity spread across Latin America. Infante was born in Mazatlán, Sinaloa ...

in ''Jesusita en Chihuahua'' (1942), and Germán Valdés "Tin Tan" in ''

Hotel de verano ''Summer Hotel'' (Spanish: ''Hotel de verano'') is a 1944 Mexican comedy film directed by René Cardona.Herrera-Sobek, p. 1080 The film's sets were designed by Manuel Fontanals. Cast * Carlos Amador * Blanquita Amaro * Ramón Armengod * Eva B ...

'' (1944). In gratitude, both actors agreed to appear together only once in a Cardona film: ''

También de dolor se canta ''También de dolor se canta'' (''You also sing because of sadness'') is a Mexican film of the Golden Age of Mexican cinema. It stars Pedro Infante, Irma Dorantes and Guillermina Grin. It also features a number of cameo roles from Mexican actors f ...

'' (1952). His career became so prolific that during 1937–1986, he directed more than one hundred films, in which he directed several of the biggest stars in Mexico. In the late fifties he made two films aimed at children, ''Pulgarcito'' (''Tom Thumb'') (1957) and ''

Santa Claus Santa Claus, also known as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Nick, Kris Kringle, or simply Santa, is a Legend, legendary figure originating in Western Christianity, Western Christian culture who is said to Christmas gift-bringer, bring ...

'' (1959), which earned him several international awards. He directed many films in the 1960s which became cult classics, including ''Wrestling Women vs. the Aztec Mummy'' (1964), ''The Batwoman'' (aka ''La mujer murciélago'') (1968) and the horror film '' Night of the Bloody Apes'' (1969). In the seventies, he produced and directed three films that achieved international success: ''La isla de los hombres solos'' (1974), considered Cardona's best film and based on the novel by

José León Sánchez José León Sánchez Alvarado (19 April 1929 – 15 November 2022)Supervivientes de los Andes'' (1976). Cardona directed his last film in 1982.

Acting

As an actor René also achieved prestige, was a founding member of the

ANDA Anda or ANDA may refer to: Places China *Anda, Heilongjiang, a city in Heilongjiang, China *Anda railway station, a railway station in Anda, China Iran *Anda, Iran, a village in Fars Province, Iran Norway *Anda, Norway, an island in Øksnes mun ...

and twice nominated for an

Ariel Award The Ariel Award ( es, Premio Ariel) is an award that recognizes the best of Mexican cinema. Given annually, since 1946, by the Mexican Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences (AMACC), the award recognizes artistical and technical excel ...

and acted in over 100 films, the most memorable are '' El secreto del sacerdote'' (1941), ''Caballería del imperio'' (1942), '' El peñón de las ánimas'' (1943), which marked the debut of

María Félix María de los Ángeles Félix Güereña (; 8 April 1914 – 8 April 2002) was a Mexican actress and singer. Along with Pedro Armendáriz and Dolores del Río, she was one of the most successful figures of Latin American cinema in the 1940s an ...

, '' El abanico de Lady Windermere'' (1944), ''La barca de oro'' (1947), ''Soledad'' (1947) with

Libertad Lamarque Libertad Lamarque Bouza (; 24 November 1908 – 12 December 2000) was a Mexican-Argentine actress and singer, one of the icons of the Golden Age of Argentine and Mexican cinema. She achieved fame throughout Latin America, and became known as " ...

, ''Cartas marcadas'' (1948), with

and

Marga López Catalina Margarita López Ramos (; June 21, 1924 – July 4, 2005), known professionally as Marga López, was an Argentine-born Mexican actress. Biography Born Catalina Margarita López Ramos in June 21st, 1924 in San Miguel de Tucumán, Argen ...

, ''La vorágine'' (1949) with

Armando Calvo Armando Calvo (25 December 1919 – 6 July 1996) was a Puerto Rican-born Spanish actor. His father was Juan Calvo Domenech, a Spanish actor and his mother was Minerva Lespier, a Puerto Rican. Calvo worked in Spain, Italy, and Mexico appearin ...

and Alicia Caro, ''

Las tres perfectas casadas ''Las tres perfectas casadas'' ("The Three Perfect Wives") is a 1953 Mexican comedy film directed by Roberto Gavaldón, based on the eponymous play by Alejandro Casona. It was entered into the 1953 Cannes Film Festival. Synopsis The tranquili ...

'' (1953) with

Arturo de Córdova Arturo García Rodríguez (8 May 1908 – 3 November 1973), known professionally as Arturo de Córdova, was a Mexican actor who appeared in over a hundred films. Biography Career Arturo García Rodríguez was born in Mérida, Yucatán on 8 May 1 ...

and

Miroslava Stern Miroslava Šternová Beková (26 February – 9 March 1955), known professionally as Miroslava Stern, was a Czechoslovak-Mexican actress. Biography Born Miroslava Šternová Beková in Prague, Czechoslovakia, Miroslava moved to Mexico as a c ...

among others, his career continued until shortly before his death and he even acted in a few films directed by his son, René Cardona Jr. such as ''La casa que arde de noche'' (1985).

Last years and death

His last screen appearances were in the television series '' Rosa salvaje'' and the film ''El fiscal de hierro'' (1989). He was bestowed a life honor by the national film library of Mexico on 15 December 1986 and received from

El Heraldo de México ''El Heraldo de México'' is a Mexican national daily newspaper published in Mexico City. Initially founded in 1965, after a 14-year absence of the name, the newspaper was relaunched on May 2, 2017. History Original ''El Heraldo de México'' ...

in recognition of his 52 years of film work in the same year. He died in

on April 25, 1988.

Awards

Selected filmography

* ''

Carne de Cabaret ''Ten Cents a Dance'' is a 1931 American pre-Code romance-drama film directed by Lionel Barrymore and starring Barbara Stanwyck as a married taxi dancer who falls in love with one of her customers. The film was inspired by the popular song of ...

'' (1931) * '' The Coward'' (1939) * ''

The Priest's Secret ''The Priest's Secret'' (Spanish: ''El secreto del sacerdote'') is a 1941 Mexican drama film directed by Joselito Rodríguez and starring Arturo de Córdova, Alicia de Phillips and Pedro Armendáriz.Biltereyst & Gennari, p.76 A Catholic priest is ...

'' (1941) * ''

The Rock of Souls ''The Rock of Souls'' (Spanish: ''El Peñón de las Ánimas'') is a Mexican movie produced in 1943, directed by Miguel Zacarías and starring Jorge Negrete and María Félix.Baugh, p. 80 It is the first movie to star María Félix, one of the lege ...

'' (1942) * '' Jesusita in Chihuahua'' (1942) * ''

The Count of Monte Cristo ''The Count of Monte Cristo'' (french: Le Comte de Monte-Cristo) is an adventure novel written by French author Alexandre Dumas (''père'') completed in 1844. It is one of the author's more popular works, along with ''The Three Musketeers''. Li ...

'' (1942) * '' Summer Hotel'' (1944) * ''

The Museum of Crime ''The Museum of Crime'' (Spanish: ''El museo del crimen'') is a 1945 Mexican mystery film directed by René Cardona and starring David T. Bamberg, Pituka de Foronda and Ricardo Mondragón. It was one of a six-film series featuring Bamberg as Fu ...

'' (1945) * '' ¡Ay qué rechula es Puebla!'' (1946) * '' The Associate'' (1946) * '' Pompeyo el conquistador'' (1953) * ''

To the Four Winds ''To the Four Winds'' (Spanish:''A los cuatro vientos'') is a 1955 Mexican musical film directed by Adolfo Fernández Bustamante and starring Rosita Quintana, Miguel Aceves Mejía and Joaquín Pardavé.Amador p.191 The film's art direction was ...

'' (1955) * ''

The New World The term ''New World'' is often used to mean the majority of Earth's Western Hemisphere, specifically the Americas."America." ''The Oxford Companion to the English Language'' (). McArthur, Tom, ed., 1992. New York: Oxford University Press, p. 3 ...

'' (1957) * ''

'' (1959) * ''

Juan Polainas ''Juan Polainas'' is a 1960 Mexican comedy film directed by René Cardona.García Riera, p. 182 Cast * Irma Dorantes * Antonio Espino * Daniel 'Chino' Herrera * Omar Jasso * Paco Michel * Francisco Reiguera * Andrés Soler * José Torvay Jos ...

'' (1960) *''Wrestling Women vs. the Aztec Mummy'' (1964) * ''Neutron Traps the Invisible Killers'' (1965) *''The Batwoman'' (1968) *'' Night of the Bloody Apes'' (1969) * '' The Incredible Professor Zovek'' (1972) *'' The Divine Caste'' (1973) *''La isla de los hombres solos'' (1974) *''El pequeño Robin Hood'' (1975) *'' Survive!'' (1976)

References

* Varios (2000). Época de oro del cine mexicano de la A a la Z. En SOMOS. México: Editorial Televisa, S. A. de C.V. * Luis Cortés Bargalló́, La lengua española y los medios de comunicación, Volumen 2, Siglo XXI, 1998, , 9789682321092 * Cátedra Extraordinaria "José Martí", Cátedra "Benito Juárez", Relaciones México-Cuba, 1950-2006: historias y perspectivas, Volumen 4 de Serie Memorias, UNAM, 2007, , 9789703242481 * Enciclopedia de México, E B P Latin America Group, Incorporated, 2005, , 9781564090744

External links

*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cardona, Rene 1905 births 1988 deaths Mexican male film actors Mexican film directors Cuban emigrants to Mexico People from Havana Golden Age of Mexican cinema 20th-century Mexican male actors 20th-century Mexican screenwriters 20th-century Mexican male writers