Director Fred Sears did it all under the tutelage of producer Sam Katzman: science fiction, crime dramas, westerns, and musicals, including this rarely seen attempt to cash in on the popularity of band leader Prez Prado. Set on a back-lot pre-revolutionary Cuba, the film stars Stephen Dunne as A&R man Bill Haven, on a trip from New York to sign some hot local talent. He hasn't reckoned on having competition, though especially when it comes in the form of his own girlfriend (Alix Talton), who's scouting the same talent on behalf of a business rival. The two soon learn that love and business don't mix well but can the music re-unite them? One of many films that tried to anticipate the next, post-rock 'n' roll musical trend, Cha-Cha-Cha-Boom! failed to rhumba its way into the hearts of moviegoers and remained buried in the vaults for decades before its recent disinterment on TCM.
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JohnSeal11 May 2008
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alonzoiii-117 April 2008This distressingly dull attempt to cash in on the cha-cha-cha craze has a smidgen of good music, a large number of so-so mambos, and only one true cha cha cha. The musical performances -- unlike with the rock n roll movies -- do not have much visual panache, so that one is left staring at a band just sitting there and playing. Oddly enough, the standout number is the non-Latin Mary Kaye trio doing a swinging version of Lonesome Road. (Too bad their other two numbers are dreadful.) The numbers by Manny Lopez -- full of flutes and a string section -- have a very authentic Cuban sound, but perhaps a bit twee sounding when compared with the mambos and cha-cha-chas that became popular in the US.
There is a plot -- something about an A&R man going out on his own to start a record company based on finding a new sound somewhere in Cuba. (Somehow the dolt missed Benny More, but did dig up his old boss Perez Prado.) It, if possible, is even a little more disposable than the usual Sam Katzman hack job. There is the usual hot blooded Latina stereotyping, a typically offensive jungle rhythm kind of number, and average for the day 50s sexual stereotyping.
If you like Cuban music, go find yourself an old LP instead, or put on a Buena Vista Social Club CD. This one is just not worth the time.