Villa!! (20th Century Fox) (1958)

“Villa” More Than A Part, A Patriotic Responsibility For Rodolfo Hoyos, co-starring in Twentieth CenturyFox’s CinemaScope, De Luxe Color production of “Villa,” currently at the... . Theatre, the title role of the Mexican bandit-patriot was more than a mere acting job. For, in Mexico, Pancho Villa is one of the most | brilliant national heroes of the revolution period. Indeed, Hoyos, son of a famous operatic singer, received several telephone calls after accepting the part from Producer Plato A. Skouras, warning him to “do right” by the late train robber | and peon who became a Major General in the _ revolutionary army and helped free Mexico | from the despotism of Diaz in LO iete Hoyos, a veteran stage and TV star, immediately sought out Hipolito Villa, eldest of Pancho’s | sons, and two of his old lieuten| ants. By intensive research he | was able to turn in a portrayal | which truly re-creates the fabu| lous personality of the famed | chieftain. In “Villa,” which was filmed entirely in Mexico in and around the very places where Villa made history, Hoyos shows the man in all his aspects — fighter, lover, bandit, patriot, the political philosopher and the blunt man of action. In addition to Hoyos, the film stars Brian Keith, Cesar Romero and lovely Margia Dean. Director James B. Clark, who also directed Skouras’ “Sierra Baron,” used an all-Mexican cast, including the Third Cavalry Regiment of the Mexican Army. Banditos No Mas If there is one thing that Twentieth Century-Fox’s CinemaScope, De Luxe Color production of “Villa,” currently at thevs . i. Theatre;-hasitas au= thenticity to the utmost degree. For instance, fourteen members of Pancho Villa’s original bandit group, long since pardoned by the Mexican government, appear in the Plato A. Skouras film. Brian Keith, Cesar Romero, Margia Dean and Rodolfo Hoyos star in the production directed by James B. Clark. “@ Brian Keith stars in Plato A. Skouras’ production of “Villa,” Twentieth Century-Fox film now | at the. ... Theatre. Cesar Romero, Margia Dean and Rodolfo Hoyos are also starred. Mat 1A Z e It's All Relative | Over 200 alleged “relatives” | of the late bandit-patriot, Pan cho Villa, besieged Producer | Plato A. Skouras for roles in his film biography of the Mexican | hero while on location in and around Mexico City. It finally became so bad, that the youthful producer, and Director James Clark, assigned Villa’s actual son, Hipolito Villa, to screen the applicants for parts in the film which has a cast of several hundreds. Starring Brian Keith, Margia Dean, Cesar Romero and Rodolfo Hoyos, the story tells of Villa’s transition from bandit to patriot. “Villa,” in CinemaScope and De Luxe Color, opens.... at the .... Theatre. Margia Dean Versatile in Arts Margia Dean, lovely star of “Villa,” which opens ....atthe.... Theatre, reveals herself as a versatile triple-threat personality in the Mexican-made film biography of the early life of Pancho Villa. Playing the part of an American singer in whom Villa becomes interested, Margia not only did an enormous amount of basic re search into the background and times of the bandit-patriot, but collaborated on the words and music of some of the songs in the film. Margia, whose Greek heritage is evident in her dark good looks, became interested in Mexican folk music which, she feels, has many of the same lyric elements of Greek folk music. Out of this interest came one of the major songs in the film, “A Lonely Kind of Love,” based upon an old Mexican folk song. Another song, “Men, Men, Men” which she sings in an exciting cabaret scene with Brian Keith, grew out of her study of the character and direction of female singers during the early part of the century, the period of the film. Another song, “Just Between Friends,” was written by Tom Walton and Walter Kent and is sung by Margia in a key scene where Pancho Villa sees her in a Chihuahua cabaret for the first time. Margia’s talents both as actress and singer, not to mention her devoted interest in history and folk culture, comes naturally from her artistic upbringing. Born here, she comes from a family which has been identified with the arts in Greece for many generations. Rodolfo Hoyos, as “Villa,” and Cesar Romero, as his chief aide, examine a revolutionary decree in this scene from Twentieth Century-Fox’s CinemaScope, De Luxe Color production of the famous bandit-patriot’s career. Also starred in the film now at the.... Theatre are Brian Keith and Margia Dean. Mat 2A Mexican Expert Brian Keith, star of Twentieth Century-Fox’s “Villa,” which opens....atthe.... Theatre, is rapidly becoming an expert on Mexico. The film biography of the bandit-patriot is one of a string of films, including Producer Plato A. Skouras’ “Sierra Baron,” which has kept the popular young actor in Mexico for some time. Now, Brian keeps a permanent apartment in Mexico City where he lives when not on location. Situated well away from the “tourist section” of the city, Brian lives among quaint restaurants and native cafes where his mastery of Spanish serves him in good stead. Of course, he still considers himself very much an American and delights in trips back to his native California. In “Villa,” the first fully authentic film ever made about the Chihuahua Mountain bandit who became a leader of his people, Brian stars with Cesar Romero, Margia Dean and Rodolfo Hoyos, well-known Mexican actor who plays the title role. As an American who helps “Villa” on his way to fame, Keith plays one of the most exciting roles of his career, which has included many top film productions, as well as stage and TV engagements. His most famous stage appearance was in the Broadway production of “Mr. Roberts.” Change of Pace Cesar Romero, Hollywood’s perennial romantic star, accepts a radical change of pace in “Villa,” a Twentieth CenturyFox film which opens... . at the « « ¢« Lheatre, Im the Plato: As Skouras production he not only appears as a penny-pinching, dour anti-feminist, but as a sadistic executioner as well. Yet, unlike many of the current movie badmen, Cesar’s winning charm cannot be repressed and although he commits several brutal killings, he is still the same object of romance he was in the 1930’s when he appeared opposite many of Hollywood’s most brilliant beauties. He stars in the Mexican-made CinemaScope, De Luxe Color production with Brian Keith, Margia Dean and Rodolfo Hoyos, who plays the title role. Specifically, he plays Villa’s chief lieutenant and treasurer who frowns on the bandit-patriot’s numerous and expensive affairs with women, Romero fans, many of whom have been fanatically faithful to the dark, handsome star since his first hit film, “The Thin Man,” may be disconcerted by this new type of characterization. Does this type of portrayal in “Villa” herald a “New Cesar Romero”? No one can really say, but it’s a sure bet that hiding the personality which has kept Cesar on top for over 20 years will be more of a job than any one director or film role can accomplish. “Villa,” the first truly authenticated film biography of Pancho Villa ever made, was filmed in Mexico by Producer Skouras and was directed by James B. Clark. Baseball vs Battle On the eve of his famous attack against the northern Mexican city of Juarez, Pancho Villa, subject of the Twentieth Century-Fox production “Villa,” opening ....atthe.... Theatre, was told by American newsmen that his attack would be crowded off the front pages by the opening of the U.S. baseball season. “Villa,” who was unable to read or write, had such a high regard for the press and for publicity in general, that he ordered the attack delayed until the season was under way. “We wait until the Americanos finish their opening games,” he is reported to have said, “I don’t want a bunch of Yankee ball players to crowd me off the front pages.” Produced by Plato A. Skouras in CinemaScope and De Luxe Color in Mexico, “Villa” stars Brian Keith, Cesar Romero, Margia Dean and Rodolfo Hoyos, in the title role. "Villa, “Saga of Legendary Bandit Filmed Against Mexican Locales (Advance) “Villa,’ Twentieth Century-Fox’s CinemaScope, De Luxe Color film biography of Pancho Villa, is an exciting re-creation phases in the career of the Mexican bandit-patriot. Starring Brian Keith, Cesar Romero and Margia Dean, with Rodolfo Hoyos as “Villa,” the Plato A. Skouras production opens... abathe 7s ee neatres of one of the m ost dramatic and important Filmed on location in the very areas that ficured prominently in Pancho Villa’s rise to power, “Villa” is the first picture ever to be made about the Mexican national hero which has _ the oe) Brian Keith, seated with Margia Dean, finds himself in a tight situation with Rodolfo Hoyos in Twentieth Century-Fox’s production of “Milla, Zkopenmeo. ...,-at. the”. . Theatre. Cesar Romero is also starred in the Plato A. Skouras production in CinemaScope and De Luxe Color. Mat 2B Real Skirmish When Pancho Villa, subject of Twentieth Century-Fox’s unique film biography in CinemaScope and De Luxe Color, “Villa,” was known as the scourge of the north of Mexico, he frequently tangled with the crack Third Federal Cavalry Regiment. Ironically, in the Plato A. Skouras film, opening .... atthe. Theatre, members of this same mounted unit provide many of the thrilling chase and battle scenes that highlight the action. Deployed to the film company’s headquarters at Cuernavaca, the regiment’s 300 men rode over 400 miles from their regular station across rugged countryside. Because of the many wild areas in Mexico, mounted cavalrymen are an important factor in the country’s internal defense command. Costumed as Villistas, and as Ruales, as Federal troops of the period around 1911 were called, the troopers entered upon their unusual assignments with enthusiastic spirit. In fact, fortyone of the tough cavalrymen were hospitalized in the three days it took to film their portion of the picture. “Villa” stars Brian Keith, Cesar Romero, Margia Dean and Rodolfo Hoyos and was directed by James B. Clark. Film Memorial Mexico’s_ bloodiest conqueror since Cortez, Pancho Villa, died by assassin’s bullets almost 35 years to the day that Producer Plato A. Skouras completed one of the most authentic and detailed film stories ever made about the bandit-patriot. In a sense, Twentieth CenturyFox’s CinemaScope, De Luxe Color film, “Villa,” is a memorial to the thirty-fifth anniversary of the death of the Mexican strong man. The picture, currently at the .... Theatre, has in its cast and crew not only several of Villa’s lieutenants, but his eldest son, Hipolito Villa. Starring Brian Keith, Cesar Romero, Margia Dean and Rodolfo Hoyos as “Villa,” the James B. Clark directed production authentically captures the brutality and the earthy emotions of the unschooled military genius who rose from a Chihuahua Mountain bandit to the leader of an emerging nation. He was killed by assassins after he had retired from the political strife of the Mexican Republic to the peace and calm of his ranch, in the north of the country. Ironically, the man who was responsible for the death of thousands never got to fire even one shot at his assassins. Villa” Striking Film Portrait Twentieth Century-Fox’s CinemaScope, De Luxe Color production of “Villa,” produced by Plato A. Skouras and starring Brian Keith, Cesar Ro¢ mero, Margia Dean and with Rodolfo Hoyos in the title role, is the first film to be made about the famed bandit-patriot which delves into the genuine background of the legendary figure who started life as a peon, became a bandit chieftain and went on to the liberation of his country. The film, which opens.... at the .... Theatre, deals with the transition period from bandit to patriot, the period when the revolutionary army which was to sweep Porfiro Diaz from office was being formed. = As shown by Producer Skouras and Director James B. Clark, Villa is torn between a desire for a break from the old ways of his people, and the conviction that as a bandit he cannot change those old ways. Only when he meets Francisco Madero, played by the well-known character actor, Ben Wright, does he find a way to liberty for his people and greatness for himself. In “Villa,” written for the screen by Louis Vittes, the filmmakers have tried, with success, to draw a portrait of the man from the stuff of the legend. And, they have managed to emerge with an entertaining picture as well as one which is factually accurate. As “Villa,” Rodolfo Hoyos, known in this country for his TV work, is at once hard and unrelenting, yet visionary and sympathetic. Brian Keith plays an American who helps him fulfill his mission, thus symbolizing the helping hand the U.S. did actually later extend to the emerging republic. stamp of absolute accuracy and authenticity. So impressed by the script and the approach to the biographical events were Mexican government officials, that they arranged for the release of a regiment of cavalry to be used in the many exciting battle scenes featured throughout the picture. “Villa” picks up the career of the “Lion of the North” when he was still a mountain bandit .operating from the Chihuahua Mountains in the northern part of the country. It follows him through a series of raids in which he meets an American adventurer, played by Brian Keith. Also figuring prominently in the story is an American singer, Margia Dean, who becomes an object of friction between the bandit chief and the “Gringo” whom he has come to admire. Cesar Romero, in a role which heralds a great change in pace from the gay, romantic parts he is usually associated with, plays a sadistic aide to “Villa.” In the title role Rodolfo Hoyos, well-known Mexican actor who has appeared on TV in this country, enacts a_ well-researched characterization of the man who later became the liberator of his country. The film climaxes with “Villa’s” capture of an important railway center and the first steps in the march toward greatness. Producer Skouras and Director James B. Clark handle the story with great care, sensitive to the enormous prestige “Villa” still occasions in Mexico. In fact, Skouras employed several members of the original “Villa” raiders in the cast, along with Hipolito Villa, eldest son of the strong man. In De Luxe Color, the estates and adobe villages of Mexico are an impressive background against which the fast-paced action is carried on. “Villa,” from any angle, is topdrawer movie entertainment. Producer Strikes Success Formula In these times of rising production costs and lessening profits, Producer Plato A. Skouras is rapidly earning a name for himself as a man who seems to have unlocked the success formula in movie-making. For, his first two full-scale features for Twentieth Century-Fox, “Sierra Baron” and “Villa,” are leading box office attractions. The basic cost of these top grade action features, however, was extremely low. This has been accomplished without cutting down on picture quality, as may be seen locally at the. . Theatre where “Villa” is currently showing. Starring Brian Keith, Cesar Romero, Margia Dean and Rodolfo Hoyos, ‘‘Villa” was filmed by Skouras in Mexico, utilizing the majestic La Marquesia Mountain Range as a backdrop for the fast-paced tale of Mexico’s famous bandit-patriot. These CinemaScope releases are the young producer’s first big picture assignments, following the making of a brace of lower cost black and white features for Regal Films. Plans are already under way for more “Plato Skouras plan” features at Twentieth. That is, pictures low on cost, high on audience appeal and entertainment. She Sings and Sews Margia Dean, lovely feminine star of Twentieth Century-Fox’s CinemaScope, De Luxe Color production of “Villa,” opening fie cueeeee Ne Ate: cd Neatre,-de= signed all of her own costumes and wrote three important song's for the lusty film biography of Pancho Villa. Margia shares honors with stars Brian Keith, Cesar Romero and Rodolfo Hoyos in the Plato A. Skouras production. Page Three