The Black Angel (1942 film)
| The Black Angel | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Juan Bustillo Oro |
| Written by | Juan Bustillo Oro Humberto Gómez Landero |
| Produced by | Juan Bustillo Oro Jesús Grovas |
| Starring | Emilio Tuero Marina Tamayo Isabela Corona Joaquín Pardavé Manolo Fábregas |
| Cinematography | Jack Draper |
| Edited by | Mario González |
| Music by | Mario Ruiz Armengol |
Release date |
|
Running time | 126 minutes |
| Country | Mexico |
| Language | Spanish |
The Black Angel (Spanish: El ángel negro) is a 1942 Mexican drama film directed by Juan Bustillo Oro,[1] who co-wrote the screenplay with Humberto Gómez Landero and co-produced the film with Jesús Grovas.
Plot
Set in a Gothic, atmospheric 19th-century estate, Elisa (Marina Tamayo) decides to marry a wealthy, enigmatic man named Jorge Llorente (Emilio Tuero) despite heavy public gossip and warnings that his previous wives all died under highly mysterious circumstances.[2][3] Following their wedding, the newlyweds relocate to Jorge's ancestral mansion, which is tightly managed by Cristina (Isabela Corona), an envious housekeeper who harbors a profound, obsessive fixation on her master.[2][3][4] Unknown to Elisa, Cristina is actually Jorge's sister, the daughter of the former estate butler, who keeps her familial connection hidden from society.[2]
Driven by intense jealousy, Cristina orchestrates a calculated, psychological campaign to make Elisa's life a living hell and separate the couple.[2][3] The domestic tension escalates dramatically when Elisa gives birth to a baby boy, Jorgito (Carlos L. Cabello).[3] Intent on keeping the little boy for herself, Cristina raises the baby as her own, erasing all memory of his real mother while systematically alienating Elisa from the household.[2][3] Manipulating Jorge's paranoia, Cristina falsifies an elaborate web of deceptions and tricks her brother into believing that his wife has been unfaithful, causing a massive rift in the marriage.[2][4]
With the support of Don Luciano (Joaquín Pardavé), a close family confidant, the household's structural fractures are gradually investigated.[3] Ultimately, Cristina's malicious campaign is unmasked to Jorge, revealing her responsibility for the systematic psychological torment and deceptions inside the mansion.[2][4] With her destructive schemes exposed, the truth allows the heavily strained Jorge and Elisa to reconcile, permanently reclaiming their child and restoring peace to their lives.[2]
Cast
- Emilio Tuero as Jorge Llorente
- Marina Tamayo as Elisa
- Isabela Corona as Cristina
- Joaquín Pardavé as Don Luciano
- Manolo Fábregas as Jorge - adult (as Manolo Sánchez Navarro)
- Dolores Camarillo as Nana
- Roberto Meyer as Santiago
- Paz Villegas as Servanda
- Conchita Gentil Arcos as Doña Meche
- Rafael Icardo as Doctor Bustamante
- Tony Díaz as Miguel Conde (as Antonio Díaz)
- Max Langler as Jerónimo
- Carlos L. Cabello as Jorgito (as Carlitos Cabello)
- Salvador Quiroz as Andrés
- Humberto Rodríguez as Servant
- Amanda del Llano as Daughter of Doña Meche (uncredited)
- Rita Macedo as Daughter of Doña Meche (uncredited)
References
Bibliography
- Mouesca, Jacqueline (2001). Erase una vez el cine. Lom Ediciones.