A cabaret hostess, a dead Chinese spy, and José Luis López Vázquez in drag. Spain in the 60s was WILD.
Your job as a hostess in Malaga allows Hippolyta meet many men. One of them is a Chinese traveler, just in time to take her to her room, is killed. So, the blame falls on another Hippolyta customers.
Acting
Gracita Morales' frantic physical comedy anchors the nonsense.
Costume
López Vázquez in floral dresses is unhinged committed clowning.
Director
Mariano Ozores Puchol
Gracita Morales
Hipólita 'Lita'
José Luis López Vázquez
Daniel Antúnez
Mara Cruz
Violeta/Angelita
Marisol Ayuso
Sonia
Tomás Blanco
Alejandro
Elisabetta Wu
Espía china
Mario Morales
Florencio
Enrique Ávila
Basilio
Luchy Soto
Nati
Goyo Lebrero
Don Ginés
Félix Dafauce
Gálvez
José Riesgo
Marinero de guardia 1
Antonio Molino Rojo
Marinero de guardia 2
Paloma Cela
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This is peak 'españolada'—Franco-era comedy that mixed working-class archetypes with exotic spy nonsense to sell tickets abroad. The 'Chinese' spy played by Elisabetta Wu? Italian actress, yellowface makeup, zero shame.
Mariano Ozores directed 90+ films and this was considered one of his 'prestige' comedies. Let that sink in.
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