''Medio millón por una mujer'' (''Half a Million for a Woman'') is a

1940 A calendar from 1940 according to the Gregorian calendar, factoring in the dates of Easter and related holidays, cannot be used again until the year 5280. Events Below, events related to World War II have the "WWII" prefix. January *Janu ...

Argentine film 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- ...

, 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 ...

Production

The 91-minute black and white film was directed for

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 ...

. The script was written by Arturo Cerretani. The comedy was based on a play by

Louis Verneuil Louis Jacques Marie Collin du Bocage (14 May 1893 – 3 November 1952), better known by the pen name Louis Verneuil, was a French playwright, screenwriter, and actor. Biography Born in Paris, Verneuil wrote approximately sixty plays and was b ...

, and retained its theatrical structure despite being filmed with a moving camera. The film starred Eva Franco, Elías Isaac Alippi and

Enrique Serrano Enrique Serrano (1891–1965) was an Argentine actor and comedian notable for his work during the Golden Age of Argentine cinema. He appeared in many films of the 1940s and 1950s including '' Muchachas que estudian'', '' Asi es la vida'' (1939 ...

Synopsis

The film is a sophisticated comedy where Elías Alippi plays a playboy who plans the kidnapping of Eva Franco, unhappy wife of millionaire miser. He poses as a doctor. The consequences are unexpected.

Reception

In the 1940s established film producers were looking to capture foreign markets, while others felt that films should be authentic to local traditions. The critic Raimundo Calcagno ("Calki") saw no conflict. In his view ''Medio millón por una mujer'' was an example of a film with a local theme that could be shown in foreign markets and that would give prestige to the Argentine film industry. It could compete with any frivolous comedy made in Hollywood.

Cast

The cast included: * Eva Franco * Elías Alippi *

* Teresa Serrador * Juan Mangiante * José Ruzzo * Cirilo Etulain * Alfredo Fornaresio * Carlos Rodríguez

References

Citations Sources * * * * *

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Medio millon por una mujer 1940 films 1940s Spanish-language films Argentine black-and-white films Films based on works by Louis Verneuil Films directed by Francisco Múgica Remakes of British films