Six Lessons from Madame La Zonga

Six Lessons from Madame La Zonga is a 1941 American comedy film directed by John Rawlins and starring Lupe Vélez, Leon Errol, William Frawley and Helen Parrish.[1][2] It was produced and distributed by Universal Pictures. The film was inspired by the same-name song interpreted by Helen O'Connell and Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra.

Six Lessons from Madame La Zonga
Promotional poster for the film.
Directed byJohn Rawlins
Written byBen Chapman
Larry Rhine
Produced byJoseph Gershenson
StarringLupe Vélez
Leon Errol
William Frawley
CinematographyJohn W. Boyle
Edited byEdward Curtiss
Music byEverett Carter
Milton Rosen
Production
company
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release date
  • January 17, 1941 (1941-01-17)
Running time
62 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

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Aboard a luxury liner sailing for Cuba are a band of struggling musicians led by Steve Morrison along with a number of swindlers, one named Beheegan and another a pair of con artists passing themselves off as Señor and Rosita Alvarez, phony names.

Another passenger is Madame La Zonga, whose nightclub in Havana has been closed. She is looking for money to put the club back in business, but must avoid being fleeced by her shipmates and also must avoid the police, who are waiting for the boat at the dock. She disguises herself as a steward to disembark safely.

Alvarez attempts to have "Rosita" sing at the club, but eventually are arrested for their nefarious schemes. Madame La Zonga has a successful grand reopening, with Steve and his band the featured performers.

Cast

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References

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  1. ^ "Six Lessons from Madame La Zonga". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. afi.com. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
  2. ^ Roberts p.107

Bibliography

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  • Golden, Eve. Strictly Dynamite: The Sensational Life of Lupe Velez. University Press of Kentucky, 2023.
  • Roberts, John Storm. The Latin Tinge: The Impact of Latin American Music on the United States. Oxford University Press, 1999.
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