Blondie Goes Latin, also known as Conga Swing, is a 1941 American comedy film directed by Frank R. Strayer and Robert Sparks and starring Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake, and Larry Simms. It is the eighth of the Blondie films.[1] The film showcases musical numbers of Kirby Grant, Ruth Terry, Tito Guizar, with Arthur Lake displaying his drum skills, Penny Singleton her singing and dancing prowess.[2][3]

Blondie Goes Latin
Directed byFrank R. Strayer
Robert Sparks
Written byRichard Flournoy
Karen DeWolf
Based oncomic strip Blondie
by Chic Young
Produced byRobert Sparks
StarringPenny Singleton
Arthur Lake
Tito Guízar
CinematographyHenry Freulich
Edited byGene Havlick
Music byLeo Arnaud
Production
company
Distributed byColumbia Pictures
Release date
  • February 27, 1941 (1941-02-27)
Running time
68 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

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Mr. Dithers generously invites the three Bumsteads to go with him on an ocean cruise to Latin America and "not think about business." As they are on the ship ready to leave, a telegram arrives from a buyer anxious to meet very soon to purchase a property the Dithers company has had on sale for a long time. Because Dithers badly needs to relax from stress, it is decided that just Dagwood alone should return home to meet with the client. However, before Dagwood can debark, the drummer of the ship's dance band is taken ill, so Dagwood, despite his protests, is recruited to take his place. He dresses as a woman while drumming, so his family and Dithers won't recognize him. Meanwhile, a handsome Latin gentleman on board shows Blondie attention and dines with her. In the end, Dagwood's remaining on the ship turns out to be fortuitous, as the client buying the property is revealed as a con man.

Cast

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Soundtrack

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  • You Don't Play a Drum, You Beat It
    • Music and Lyrics by Chet Forrest and Bob Wright
    • Played by Kirby Grant and Orchestra with Arthur Lake on drums
    • Sung by Ruth Terry an orchestra quartet
    • Reprised at the end by the orchestra and Penny Singleton
  • I Hate Music Lessons
    • Music and Lyrics by Chet Forrest and Bob Wright
    • Played on piano by Janet Burston
    • Sung by Janet Burston and Larry Simms
  • Solteiro e melhor
    • Music and Lyrics by Ruben Sores and Felisberto Silva
    • English Lyrics by William Morgan
    • Played by Kirby Grant and Orchestra with Tito Guízar on guitar
    • Sung in Spanish by Tito Guízar
  • Querida
    • Music and Lyrics by Chet Forrest and Bob Wright
    • Played by Kirby Grant and Orchestra with Tito Guízar on guitar
    • Sung in Spanish by Tito Guízar
    • Reprised by Tito Guízar and Penny Singleton singing in English
    • Reprised again by Penny Singleton at the end
  • You Can Cry On My Shoulder
    • Music and Lyrics by Chet Forrest and Bob Wright
    • Played by Kirby Grant and Orchestra with Arthur Lake on drums
    • Sung by Ruth Terry an orchestra quartet
  • Brazilian Cotillion
    • Music and Lyrics by Chet Forrest and Bob Wright
    • Played by Kirby Grant and Orchestra
    • Sung by Tito Guízar, Penny Singleton and the orchestra quartet
    • Danced to by Tito Guízar and Penny Singleton
    • Reprised at the end with Penny Singleton dancing with Arthur Lake and Larry Simms dancing with Janet Burston[4]

References

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  1. ^ Young & Young p.201
  2. ^ "Watch Blondie Goes Latin | Prime Video". Amazon.
  3. ^ "At the New York". The New York Times. 26 February 1941.
  4. ^ "Blondie Goes Latin (1941) - IMDb". IMDb.

Bibliography

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  • Young, Nancy K. & Young, William H. World War II and the Postwar Years in America: A Historical and Cultural Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO, 2010.
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