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Down Argentine Way | 
 enlarge | Director: Irving Cummings
Actors: Don Ameche, Betty Grable, Carmen Miranda, Charlotte Greenwood, J. Carrol Naish
Studio: Fox Video
Category: Video
List Price: CDN$ 24.99
Buy Used: CDN$ 21.45
You Save: CDN$ 3.54 (14%)
Rating:  8 reviews
Sales Rank: 1506
Format: Ntsc
Languages: English (Unknown), English (Original Language)
Media: VHS Tape
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 4.2 x 1.1
ISBN: 6301303016
UPC: 086162171833
EAN: 9786301303019
ASIN: 6301303016
Theatrical Release Date: October 11, 1940
Release Date: May 25, 1989
Availability: Usually ships within 1 - 2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Betty Grable in DOWN ARGENTINE WAY: VHS & Original Coverbox in Excellent Condition (gift quality) (not an ex-rental) Very Rare/Out of Print (with the same really cool packaging as shown above) In Stock, Ships Fast
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| Customer Reviews: Read 3 more reviews...
 They don't make them like this anymore! November 16, 2008
Robert Badgley (London,Ontario,Canada)
Watching "Down Argentine Way" is to watch a genre of film that sadly is no more;and we are all the lesser for it.
These musicals/comedies/romancers have all but vanished from the Hollywood landscape.Moreover it serves to also remind us of what talents once roamed the studio landscapes and were at the beck and call of the producers.
His career was revived later in his life by Ron Howard who put him in his successful "Cocoon" pictures,but many later generations don't know that in the late 30s and 40s Don Ameche was one of the biggest stars in Hollywood.As serious and good an actor as any his acting AND musical talents were amply showcased in pictures like this and others,like "One Night in Rio"or "Moon over Miami".And Ameche makes the most of every moment he has on screen.
Along with Ameche we have up and coming pin up queen Betty Grable.Already an established actress but with her star very much in ascendance here,Grable excelled in such musical diversions as this and her dancing and her pleasing vocals are all in their best form and shown off to great effect.
Along with the two main stars is a new South American talent from Brazil making her Hollywood screen debut,the vivacious Portugal born Carmen Miranda.Appearing in the smash Broadway production of "The Streets of Paris"(also her first appearance in the U.S. courtesy of theatre empressario Lee Schubert) and a local club simultaneously,she allotted what precious little time she had between performances,to appear in this film.Three of the songs she sang in "Streets","South American Way"(pronounced 'Souse' by Carmen) and "Mamae eu Quero"(I want my Mama),and "Bambo du Bambu" were re-performed in the film for a broader and larger film going public.Carmens' powerful screen presence with those undulating hips,the alluring eyes and arm movements and her beautiful baiana(Bahian inspired costume),captivated the movie going public.Carmen performs two numbers almost back to back but what has always seemed strange to me is at the end of the film when all the main players come out for a small encore but Carmen is conspicuously absent.This would thanfully be corrected in the future.
50 years young stage and screen veteran Charlotte Greenwood also makes a grand appearance here.She was a real trooper,with much talent and known for her lithe long legs and eccentric high kicking,the latter seen briefly here towards the end of the picture.She does have a nice little musical spot though and she showed she could sing with the best of them.
Finally no 20th Century picture could ever be complete without an appearance by the incredible Nicholas Brothers dance team.The two terpsichorian terrors were just parachuted in whenever the producers of a picture felt that things needed spicing up;and what spicing! These two men perform the most jaw dropping dance routines,or should I say acrobatic turns,I have ever seen.Their standing flips and perilous looking splits never cease to amaze one when watching them.They gave new meaning to the words "show stoppers"!
With this new DVD release Fox has provided us with a wonderful print and transfer.The colours here are all crisp and very clean,with the contrast just right.Included is a photo gallery,audio commentary,the /95 A&E program "Betty Grable:Behind the Pin Up" and last but not least some 4 1/2"x6" Lobby cards from the movie.
All in all I recommend this fast paced,wonderfully acted and performed comedy/musical/romance to everyone.The plot involves race horses with Betty Grable falling in love with Don Ameche;a loosely based Romeo and Juliet story but with a much happier ending.But the plot is immaterial.What counts is the steller talents its' stars and supporting cast bring to the table;and what talent their is for ones eyes and ears to feast on.There is no better 88 minutes to spend than to spend it with this wonderful musical treat!
 The correct Carmem Miranda's song name is "MAMAE EU QUERO" (Portuguese) January 9, 2007
Eduardo Silva (Brazil)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
Carmem Miranda only sung in Brazilian Portuguese: "Mamae Eu Quero" (this is the real name, not the Spanish "Mama Yo Queiro", which never existed) and "South American Way". Please, Brazilians never spoke Spanish, only Portuguese.
 Betty Grable...the queen of Technicolor...absent from DVD! February 12, 2004
Why doesn't Fox release any of Betty Grable's classics on DVD? This Technicolor blonde is suspiciously absent from the DVD market, and all her movies need to be released NOW. This title, her first starring role, is one of her best. This fun little Technicolor trip down to South America co-starring with Carmen Miranda and Don Ameche is a knockout, and few movies today can come close to that!
Colorful, breezy, nonstop fun! September 27, 2003
I thought this movie would have a few fun Carmen Miranda numbers and not much else. It actually has very little of Carmen (but what's there is good), LOTS of goregous scenery, and even more gorgeous horses. Betty Grable is fine, Don Ameche does a Spanish accent surprisingly well, and Charlotte Greenwood adds class, energy, and pizazz as she always does. The plot is predictable but fun, and not entirely typical. Unlike some musicals, where you sit through most of it just waiting for the big production number at the end, this movie is packed with one interesting sight and sound after another, making it fly by in no time. Also watch for the amazing tap dancing by the Nicholas brothers.
Good, but Not One of Grable's Best July 6, 2003
James A. White (Cookeville, TN United States)
This film was originally designed for Alice Faye, but she got appendicitis as the last minute, and Grable was substituted to avoid financial losses. While the film is very good and everything, it is obvious that it was more designed for Faye, the singer, than Grable, the dancer. While Betty has some good dance scenes, they seem to be rather thrown in haphazardly.
The plot centers around super-rich Grable, who is buying horses, and falling in love with Don Ameche, the owner of said horses. There are the usual romantic entaglements and problems, but eventually they wind up together. Charlotte Greenwood is excellent as Grable's aunt and provides most of the comic effect in the movie. Watch for her phrases with double meanings (no, not sexual ones) They're wonderful!
Also, watch for Carmen Miranda's film debut. Fox was a little uncertain about their new south-of-the-border commodity, and they didn't give her the LAVISH screen treatment and dance numbers they did in later films, but she does well as a nightclub singer. She also doesn't have any speaking parts, and her song is in Portuguese, but it features the debut of "Mama Yo Queiro" and "South American Way."
Basically, this film is enjoyable if you are a Grable or Miranda fan, but otherwise, there is little to hold it together. I rather think it would have been better with Faye, even if it did jump-start Grable's remarkable career.
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