Cantinflas is the apprentice of a renowned scientist, Prof. Arquimides Monteagudo (Carlos Martinez Baena). But Cantinflas has the soul of a poet rather than a serious researcher, and he wants to find the formula that achieves the immortality of the roses. Nevertheless, after the death of Prof. Monteagudo, Cantinflas will be chased by a ferocious corporative group, who wants to steal the secret formula of a cheaper fuel named "carburex", because they think that our friend is the only person who knows the composition
Acting
Cantinflas' linguistic tornado — untranslatable genius.
Direction
Delgado balances slapstick and noir tension masterfully.
Costume
Cantinflas' iconic baggy pants = instant underdog sympathy.
Director
Miguel M. Delgado
Cantinflas
Cantinflas
Perla Aguiar
Marisa Miranda
Carlos Martínez Baena
Profesor Archimedes Monteagudo
Alejandro Cobo
Octavio
Aurora Walker
Angélica Montes
Alfredo Varela
Pepe Montes
José Pidal
Doctor Inocencio Violante
Eduardo Casado
Presidente de directorio petroleo
Francisco Jambrina
Fiscal
Rafael Icardo
Agustín Montes
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Cantinflas' 'peladito' character became Mexico's national identity — the poor man who outsmarts the powerful through wordplay alone. This film crystallizes that archetype against post-war industrialization fears.
The 'carburex' plot mirrors real 1940s Mexican oil nationalism anxieties — PEMEX had been nationalized just ten years earlier, making corporate fuel theft a sly political joke for contemporary audiences.
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1939
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7.51982
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