Latin Lovers (1953) User Reviews (17)

Colorful but bland

[vincentlynch-moonoi · 6/10 · 5 March 2011]

When I was young I thought the two most beautiful women in the world were Sophia Loren and Lana Turner. Then I saw Lana Turner in an extensive interview, and discovered that she was close to being the clichéd dumb blond. There is something more stupid however -- this movie. Another one of those feel sorry for the rich because they have such difficult lives...even more pathetic since this is a romantic comedy.

Speaking of beauty, Lana is not at her most beautiful here...a little full in the face. And it's difficult to judge her acting here since the story is so dumb. Ricardo Montalban actually does quite well here, as does John Lund. Louis Calhern is absolutely delightful in the illogical role of the Latin Lover's grandfather. And, it's nice to see Beulah Bondi in an atypical role for her -- psychiatrist (too bad it was such a small -- though pivotal -- role). Jean Hagen is pretty good in her supporting role here, but Eduard Franz has a disappointing role for such a fine character actor.

But, the film is beautiful in its color, and there's some very nice Latin music here.

Mervyn Leroy is one of the great directors, but, as the old saying goes, you can't win them all.

It should have made a strong case for Ricardo Montalban as a matinée idol: he smolders and smolders!

[moonspinner55 · 4/10 · 6 November 2005]

Shallow time-filler, directed by the estimable Mervyn LeRoy (who must have been a bit embarrassed), this picture-postcard travelogue-cum-romance should have put Ricardo Montalban on the map as a huge matinée idol. Montalban never quite broke the ethnic barrier to become a Valentino-type player in Hollywood, and filmdom certainly missed a prime opportunity. Montalban swaggers and struts and exudes mucho charisma as a horse rancher in Brazil who falls for vacationing heiress Lana Turner. Semi-musical piece of Hollywood factory gloss entertains in its fashion, but you'll be ashamed of yourself in the morning. Turner is so aloof that even Ricardo fails to melt her icy exterior, but the South American flavor is amusingly captured and the picture looks good enough to eat. ** from ****

A Postcard to Lana Turner from MGM

[wes-connors · 5/10 · 13 June 2013]

Beautiful blonde Lana Turner (as Nora Taylor) worries men may want her because she is worth $37 million dollars. She is engaged to handsome blond John Lund (as Paul Chevron), who is worth $48 million dollars. It sounds like a good match, but Ms. Turner is still worried. When she was poor, a greedy boy stole all her marbles, she tells her analyst. Both Turner and Mr. Lund go to picturesque Brazil, where he plays polo. Turner wears expensive clothes and meets muscle-glistening Ricardo Montalban (as Roberto Santos). They are mutually attracted. Turner decides to hide her $37 million estate from Mr. Montalban, because she (now) thinks men are not interested in marrying beautiful and wealthy women. Honest. This story is as silly as it sounds. However, it is worth watching to see how the crew at MGM could pull out the big guns; in this case, for Turner and Montalban. The production always looks great.

***** Latin Lovers (8/12/53) Mervyn LeRoy ~ Lana Turner, Ricardo Montalban, John Lund, Louis Calhern

Lana in Technicolor AND glorious black-and-white!

[gregcouture · 4 June 2003]

This one is much more fun than its inevitable detractors might lead you to believe. The cast, including Jean Hagen (who almost stole the show with her unforgettable Lina Lamont in "Singin' in the Rain"), Louis Calhern strutting his elegant stuff as a superannuated Brazilian, a very young Rita Moreno, the handsome John Lund once again playing a stuffy moneybags (as he did a little later in "High Society"), and Dorothy Neumann who gets some of the best of Isobel Lennart's cleverly scripted lines (with digs at psychoanalysts and their patented brand of voodoo.)

The story is pure Hollywood dream manufacture but it's so handsomely mounted and lushly photographed by that master of the color cameras, Joseph Ruttenberg, that objecting to it prompts the inevitable question, "Why in the heck did you watch it if you weren't in the mood for something with no relationship whatsoever to the real world?" Lana looks gorgeous and Helen Rose had the inspiration to dress her only in black and white and combinations thereof, contrasting her more than strikingly against the ultra-lush Technicolor trappings. She gets to do an ultra-smooth samba with her co-star Ricardo Montalban, who had the good fortune to step in as a replacement for the originally cast Fernando Lamas, whose real-life romance with Luscious Lana had very publicly come to a rocky impasse. Mervyn LeRoy, who had the distinction of mentoring Lana in the earliest days of her Hollywood ascendancy, directs with that machine-tooled efficiency that a vehicle of this kind must have if it is going to come anywhere near to a suspension of disbelief. With all of the first-class elements that Miss Turner was traditionally surrounded during her days as M-G-M's reigning boxoffice beauty, this is the kind of escapism that is, perhaps lamentably, a thing of a very distant past. When you're feeling benign, this one is fine!

Oh, how life is horrible when you have $37,000,000!

[planktonrules · 4/10 · 21 December 2017]

"Latin Lovers" is a tough movie to love. After all, the main character, Nora (Lana Turner), is very rich AND very arrogant. Through much of the film she seems to think she is entitled due to her money...yet she also is worried a man might want her for her money. Oddly, despite this, she is uninterested in marrying her long-time boyfriend (John Lund)...who is even richer than her.

When the boyfriend goes to Brazil to play polo, she follows and soon is smitten with Roberto (Ricardo Montalban). She worries he, too, wants her money. And, when she tells him she's loaded, he's thrilled...futher convincing her that all men want is her cash, not her circa 1953 hot bod.

In addition to Nora acting dumb and annoying through much of the film, the two men in her life aren't exactly prizes either--though you still often wonder WHAT they see in her! This is because Nora OFTEN gets angry and huffy and is as pleasant as a lion with a toothache. So, with some unlikable characters all you have left is the nice MGM gloss...which this one has in spades.

Lana Turner on holiday in Brazil looking for a man who will love her for herself alone...

[Nazi_Fighter_David · 7/10 · 21 May 2005]

This gorgeously-directed film presented Lana Turner as Nora Taylor, a lady who has everything in the world—including $37 million which she inherited from her father…

Her one big problem: not even her psychoanalyst can tell her whether men love her for herself or her money… She isn't even sure of Paul Chevron (John Lund), her stuffy fiancé, who is worth $48 million in his own right… His reaction to her ardor is unenthusiastic, so when he goes off to Brazil with his polo team, she follows him in the hope that the change in climate will warm him up… Unfortunately for Nora, the land of romance does nothing for Paul, who is just as businesslike as ever…

But she does meet Roberto Santos(Ricardo Montalban), a young and handsome plantation owner, who sweeps her off her feet… At first, Nora is afraid that he'll refuse to marry her when he learns about her fortune, but she's even more upset when he expresses great delight in the discovery…

What follows is a game of wits, and the picture can be likened to a multicolored parfait… It's entertaining of its kind and not nearly as slight as it would have been in less capable hands…

"Latin Lovers" was more a romantic comedy with music than one of MGM's traditional super-musicals of the period… It did feature five original Nicholas Brodsky—Leo Robin tunes, two of which were "sung" by Ricardo Montalban…Other music included the rippling strains of several red-hot sambas, staged by Frank Veloz…

The film was still another great showcase for Turner the clotheshorse… Helen Rose, who was Oscar-nominated for her work in both "The Merry Widow" and "The Bad and the Beautiful" came up with an unusual idea in designing the star's wardrobe… All of Lana's more than twenty costumes were created in black and white—or a combination of both—and pitted against the rich1y Technicolored backgrounds, it resulted in a striking and unusual effect

Pretty Actors, Unpleasant Characters

[jk-332 · 2/10 · 2 September 2020]

I can't believe I watched the whole thing. As attractive as Ricardo Montalban was at that age (very), as pretty as Lana Turner was (very), as fun as Louis Calhern and Jean Hagen were (very), it's still hard to watch when Lana Turner's character comes off as a spoiled baby, Ricardo plays an arrogant jerk who keeps pushing her around, and John Lund's character is just as arrogant and pushy, as well as smug. None of the three is anyone you want to watch or root for in a romantic relationship, and none of the three has motivations that make a lick of sense.

worth a look

[s.knowles · 7/10 · 29 April 2003]

This is highly entertaining fluff. Lana Turner looks lovely, so it is probably carping to comment on her limited acting ability. Ricardo Montalban is suitably macho. The film is saved for me by the other actors with John Lund showing a deft comic touch and making his character more than one dimensional, which it surely would have been had the earlier choice, Michael Wilding played the role. Louis Calhern steals most of his scenes as Montalban's grandfather - the fact that he was only 25 years older apparently bothered no one. There are some nice touches in the writing and the costumes and cinematography are beautiful. All in all there is plenty to enjoy.

Lousy unlikeable people.

[mdc-07431 · 1/10 · 8 February 2021]

I caught the last half of this movie which is probably more than it deserved. They call it Latin Lovers but its more like whiny driveling spoiled annoying people. The premise of money and people who have it whining about whether or not someone will love them since they are rich. It is mostly boring unlikeable people who are pushy and insecure. Lana Turner is a rich pushy unlikeable woman who juggles 2 even more unlikeable men. Ricardo Montalban who in my opinion doesnt exude any sex appeal here , he is arrogant and rude and quite frankly borders on abusive, he replaced Fernando Lamas as the Latin lead actor in this movie. And whats ironic is that his character is not much unlike Fernando Lamas real life persona who beat Lana Turner when they were going together hence him being replaced. I guess she still liked being pushed around since Montalbans Roberto character does just that in this movie. Totally unwatchable and a waste of film.

Turner & Montalban Gorgeous but Big Bonus is Rita Moreno

[LeonardKniffel · 7/10 · 27 April 2020]

There is enough music in this film-minus the big name singers and dancers of the era-to make it a must-see musical. Although at times her hair looks like actual platinum, Lana Turner appears in so many mind-bogglingly gorgeous outfits that her wardrobe alone makes the movie worth watching. Then there is Ricardo Montalban in perhaps the sexiest (especially for those who remember him as Khan in Star Trek) film role of his career as a leading man, his singing voice dubbed by one Carlos Julio Ramírez in "A Little More of Your Amour." My favorite lines from that song: "Your samba is a stand-out, but I wish that you would hand out a little more of your amore." Turner is gorgeous throughout, and Montalban equals her sexiness on every level. Next-to-the-best treat: the great Rita Morena as the jealous Brazilian who stands in contrast to the excesses of wealth on display in the film. Bonus: Jean Hagen (of "Singin' in the Rain") as Turner's sidekick.

rich people problem

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 13 March 2023]

Nora Taylor (Lana Turner) is a tough businesswoman as the head of her late pioneering father's company. The wealthy tycoon fears that every suitor wants her for her money. Despite his greater wealth, she still has concerns about her boyfriend Paul Chevron (John Lund). She follows him to Brazil where she meets Latin lover Roberto Santos (Ricardo Montalban).

This is rather stale for the first third. Lana Turner is being cold and John Lund is playing a dud. I really don't like them stating their net worth. Ricardo Montalban does bring a Latino energy to the triangle and he does some singing. It's not that spicy although there is some good hot-cold chemistry going on. At the end of the day, I don't care about her enough and Roberto is limited. On top of that, I hate listing all the dollars.

Lana and Ricardo at Their Sizzling Best!

[JLRMovieReviews · 9/10 · 28 May 2009]

Lana Turner has 37 million dollars. John Lund has 48 million. She feels he's about to pop the question and thought she wanted to marry him -- until now, that is. He has to go to Brazil to look at some ponies he's interested in buying and to play a little polo. During a night on the town, she is intrigued when she is asked to dance by a Brazilian (who just happens to be in town), and he tells her not to go to Brazil.

"It would be dangerous for you. There's something about the air in Brazil. Men in Brazil see what they want and just take it." She hops on a plane, going after Lund, who she thinks will just take her (up in his arms.) But this air only puts John Lund to sleep.

Enter Ricardo Montalban. While he is showing his horses to John Lund, she takes an instant liking to Ricardo….and he notices her. The looks he gives her are too much and she acts more passionate here than I've ever seen her. But will he be bothered by her money?

Jean Hagen is good in a supporting role as her secretary, and John Lund is good as a stuffed shirt. Louis Calhern is great as Ricardo's grandfather, providing a touch of class. (A side note that many may not know: Not only was Louis Calhern also in Lana's "A Life of Her Own" and "The Prodigal" but, in "The Bad and the Beautiful," he provides the voice of her father's on the record that Kirk Douglas smashes.)

This was supposed to be a reunion movie with Fernando Lamas. (They made "The Merry Widow" prior to this.) But since they were no longer together as a couple, she wanted someone else to play opposite her. This was a break for Ricardo, who looks like he is having the time of his life. (Even though that wasn't him really singing.) Rita Moreno dances the samba with him, teaching Lana how to do it right. But, Rita gets jealous of her real quick, when she discovers he likes Lana. With their attraction to each other and the way they move together, it almost seems like we shouldn't be watching.

But, if you've never seen Lana and Ricardo, looking their best and complementing each other, then you're missing something. Granted the movie may get silly, like with her Portguese teacher who'll practically live or die for her. But who cares? "Latin Lovers" may be colorful fluff, but it's one of the best and most provocative colorful fluffs you're likely to see. Just sit back and enjoy!

Fernando Lamas left his singing voice

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 15 August 2017]

Ricardo Montalban stepped in as last minute substitute for Fernando Lamas for this film Latin Lovers. Originally meant as a follow up for the Fernando Lamas/Lana Turner version of The Merry Widow, the breakup between Lamas and Turner was not amicable. Lana just did not want to emote for the big screen with Lamas any more.

One thing Lamas did leave behind was possibly his singing voice. Ricardo had a couple of numbers to sing and he did not sing. If you've seen The Merry Widow or Rose Marie you know that Fernando Lamas did have a strong singing voice. What comes out of Montalban's mouth sounds an awful lot like Fernando Lamas.

Lana is a wealthy woman who worries all the time that men are interested in her for her money only. To be rich and have worries like that. She's going out with John Lund who's a bit richer, but he is such a titanic bore.

Things do pick up when on a trip to Brazil she meets Montalban who also has a few shekels though the family fortune is really in the hands of his grandfather Louis Calhern. What follows are the usual romantic games people play and is the outcome ever in doubt?

Also note in the cast are Jean Hagen as Turner's girl Friday and Archer MacDonald as the nerdy American embassy employee who is giving Turner lessons in Portugese. Sadly MacDonald would be dead in two years and by his own hand.

Latin Lovers is a pleasant if not taxing piece of romantic fluff.

Ever Heard of a Prenup?

[dsmith-25000 · 5/10 · 2 June 2021]

The ending makes no sense. Lana Turner's character may have had passion for Ricardo Montalban, but it didn't look like real love.

If Lana Turner character's was afraid of men chasing her for her money (See "The Richest Girl in the World" or "Marriage by Mistake"), then she could have made out a marriage contract. The idea of her giving him all her money before marriage is nuts. He is not an American and the tax problems would be enormous.

The Merry Widow Goes To Brazil! Where's Fernanado?

[joseph952001 · 27 September 2006]

This movie came right on the heels of The Merry Widow and was suppose to reunite Lana and Fernando for one more film, but - uh - complications arose! So, Lana Turner tells it in her autobiography, they were at a party and Lex Barker asked Lana to dance with him, and she didn't know how jealous Fernando could be and she accepted, and after the dance, he thanked her and Fernando said something like "Why don't you take her in the bushes and f--- her!" Then they went home and an argument took place and Fernando beat her up and caused bruises all over body. So, she reported this to the studio with the claim that she would not make the movie with Fernanado, and so they replaced him with Ricardo Montalban a very devout Catholic and would not, in any way, have an affair with Lana. So, later on Fernando never knew why he was taken off the picture. Well, according to Esther Williams, who would later marry Fernando; in her autobiography she stated that Lana would yell out in her doorway of her dressing room, "Fernando, you get your f----ing Argentine ass in here!" And, also, according to Esther Williams, she placed a glass on the wall of her dressing room and heard Lana moaning "Ohhhhhh! Fernado!!!!!!" And that Lana at times would take a leather belt to her body and put the bruises on her legs and body herself and claim it was someone else! And to prove that Fernando didn't ever lay a hand on Lana, he successfully stayed married to Esther Williams until the day he died! Oh!!!! For those old days when we had these colorful genius that made those great movies! Where are these colorful genius' today? Don't have any! Anyway, true, this movie is very entertaining, but it's really just a rehash of The Merry Widow in many ways, and if you notice, when Lana hears Ricardo singing, the same lighting, the same look on her face before they do the Samba together. One thing that not too many people never knew about Lana Turner is that she was an excellent dancer, and only showed signs of it in The Merry Widow and Latin Lovers, but the ending is kinda unrealistic. If she "did" give the money to Ricardo, I'm sure she was smart enough to keep most of it for herself with him knowing about it! After all, he didn't know how money she had! By the way, that was not Ricardo singing. He can sing, but that wasn't his voice and you almost expect them to repeat "Baby It's Cold Outside" and of course, I'm surprised that in many of the scenes Lana never once said those famous lines, "Oh! Ricardo! No!" Oops! That was the line used by Esther Williams! And speaking of Esther Williams, since movies like this usually have guest movie stars in them, I'm surprised that Esther didn't do some kind of Brazilian Samba Water Ballet in it! Not Lana's best, but a nice diversion on a boring weekend afternoon with nothing to do!

Latin Loser

[ArtVandelayImporterExporter · 3/10 · 4 December 2023]

Rich people moping around doing rich people things while feeling dismayed whether they'll ever find true love. They must have filmed this plot approximately 250 times during the 30s. Which was fine for the dirt farmers who wanted to find escapism at the movies.

But in 1953?? Did they figure a Technicolor remake would draw people who were already bored with the B&W idyot box?

This movie is quite an achievement by Mervyn LeRoy and the writers. They turned a leading man with as much effortless charm as Ricardo Montalban and turned him into an arrogant j3rk. Lana Turner has about as much feminine appeal here as Deborah Kerr; which is to say, none whatsoever. She comes across as a spoiled ball-b2ster.

Louis Calhern and John Lund bring their pencil moustaches in support. Jean Hagen can't act. Archer Macdonald is marginally amusing in his attempts to teach Turner how to speak Portuguese.

And lastly, for a so-called musical, the singing and dancing is insipid. With almost no romantic chemistry between the leads to salvage it.

Cute story, but Lana looks too old

[sksolomonb · 9/10 · 9 February 2021]

The plot of "Latin Lovers" is cute and a bit contrived, but what really spoils it is how old Lana Turner's character looks. The clothes are more suitable for a woman in the senior citizen bracket, and the stiff up-do hairstyle makes Lana look old and hardened by life. Her cynical attitudes about money and men In are those of a disenchanted, older woman who has had too many disappointments in life. In contrast, youthful and lithe Rita Moreno as Christina (ten years younger than Lana) looks like a much more suitable love interest for Roberto (Ricardo Montalban) whose boyish smile and feigned naivete make him charming and younger in appearance than Nora (Lana Turner).

It is a shame a younger and more carefree actress was not chosen for the role of Nora.