''El mejor papá del mundo'' (''The Best Dad in the World'') is a 1941 black and white Argentine drama of the

Golden Age of Argentine cinema The Golden Age of Argentine cinema (Spanish language, Spanish: ''Época de Oro del cine argentino'' or other equivalent names), sometimes known interchangeably as the broader classical or classical-industrial period (Spanish: ''período clásico- ...

. It explores a son's gradual realization that his father is far from perfect, and also conveys a message hostile to global capitalism.

Production

''El mejor papá del mundo'' was a black and white

Lumiton Lumiton is a former film production company and current museum located in Munro, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Lumiton Studios was founded in 1932 at the start of the Golden Age of Argentine cinema. Its lowbrow, populist films appealed to local audienc ...

film directed by

Francisco Múgica Francisco Múgica (10 April 1907 – 1985) was an Argentine film director, film editor and cinematographer notable for his work during the Golden Age of Argentine cinema, classical era of Argentine cinema. He was born and died in Buenos Aire ...

and written by

Sixto Pondal Ríos Sixto Pondal Ríos (April 8, 1907 - September 29, 1968) was an Argentine screenwriter, poet and dramatist. Rios was born in San Miguel de Tucumán, Argentina. Although most of his film work took place in Argentina, the 1948 film ''Romance on t ...

. It starred Elías Isaac Alippi,

Ángel Magaña Ángel Magaña (August 24, 1915 – November 13, 1982) was an Argentine film actor of the Golden Age of Argentine cinema during the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. He was married to the Spanish-Argentine film actress Nuri Montsé. Filmography #Hot ...

and Nuri Montsé. The film was released on 14 March 1941.

Synopsis

The film depicts the changing relationship between a prestigious lawyer (Elías Isaac Alippi) and his young son (Ángel Magaña). The son, recently graduated from college and planning to follow in his father's footsteps, gradually discovers the large gap between his idealized image of his father and the reality. The father, who represents an international firm, is involved in a complex web of interests that places his professional ethics in doubt. The film conveys the view that the interests of international monopolies and the Argentine oligarchy are counter to the national interest. The film is interesting in giving a view of life in high society in Argentina of that time.

Reception

Manrupe and Portela described the film as simple and sobering, with an early anti-imperialist message, and noted that it drew on

Mario Soffici Mario Soffici (14 May 1900 – 10 May 1977) was an Italian-born Argentina, Argentine film director, actor and screenwriter notable for his work during the Golden Age of Argentine cinema. Biography Mario Soffici was born in Florence, Florence, ...

's earlier film

Kilómetro 111 ''Kilómetro 111'' is a 1938 Argentine musical film drama directed by Mario Soffici. The film premiered in Buenos Aires during the Golden Age of Argentine cinema. This is one of several films directed by Soffici which address the social evils of ...

for a boardroom scene. ''La Mañana de Montevideo'' described it as fast-paced and interesting, always nuanced, with fine comic and emotional notes.

Complete cast

The complete cast was: * Elías Isaac Alippi *

* Nuri Montsé * Hugo Pimentel *

Domingo Márquez Domingo Márquez was an Argentine actor. He starred in films like '' The Best Father in the World '' (1941), '' Los martes, orquídeas'' (1941), ''Filomena Marturano'' (1950), and '' The Fire Girl'' (1952). He had a minor role in the acclaimed Sil ...

* Carlos Bertoldi * Ricardo Passano *

María Esther Buschiazzo María Esther Buschiazzo (1889–1971) was an Argentine actress.Seibel, Beatriz (2002). ''Historia del Teatro Argentino: Desde Los Rituales Hasta 1930''. Volume 1. Corregidor, p. 379. Since the beginning of the century he began making works by g ...

* Salvador Sinaí *

Alberto Terrones Alberto Terrones (; 1894–1957) was an Argentine film and theater actor, with an extensive filmography. Filmography * ''Mercado de abasto'' (1955) * ''Misión extravagante'' (1954) * '' Barrio gris'' (1954) * ''Una ventana a la vida'' (1953) * ' ...

* Carlos Rodríguez * Hugo Ugarte * Mario C. Lugones * Percival Murray * Adolfo Meyer

References

Citations Sources * * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Mejor Papa Del Mundo, El 1941 films 1940s Spanish-language films Argentine black-and-white films 1941 comedy-drama films Argentine comedy-drama films Films directed by Francisco Múgica Spanish-language comedy-drama films