Maria Felix was recently the subject of a Google Doodle to celebrate what would have been her 104th birthday. She was one of the leading stars of Mexican cinema when it was in it’s Golden Age. She also went on to star in several European films. Here are the top 5 Maria Felix films that really show what a talented actress she was.
Doña Bárbara (1943)
The leading role in this film was one of her first roles and in it she certainly caught the attention of the whole industry. She was known by the nickname of La Dona for the rest of her career because of her role in this film. The storyline was based on a novel and was centered around the actions that her character took to get back at the men who had raped her. Her character did not just act rashly in order to get this revenge but ensured that her plan was well thought through and benefited her business interests as well as giving her personal satisfaction.
La Diosa Arrodillada (1947)
This was the first film that she worked on with director Roberto Gavaldón. She went on to star in a number of other films directed by him and this bought her to the attention of directors in Europe where Gavaldon was well known. The film was a crime drama and this was one of the first times that she had acted in a film of this genre. The issue of infidelity and how it pushes to people to act in ways that they would not normally is also explored in this film.
Maclovia (1948)
This was the third and final film that she made with director Emilio Fernández. It is a romance where her character falls in love with someone in a lower class then her. The situation is further complicated by the fact that her father is a powerful community leader and she is expected to marry someone of the same social standing. The film did very well commercially and was featured at the 1949 Venice Film Festival.
Doña Diabla (1950)
This was another film in which she played the title role of a scorned woman who wanted to get back at those who had done her wrong. The title of the film translates as The Devil Is A Woman and highlights just how good she was in the role of a strong female lead. This was the last role that she had in a film which was made in Mexico before she moved to Europe. It was one of the most popular films that she ever made and was entered into the Cannes Film Festival in 1951.
French Cancan (1955)
This was one of the most successful European films that Maria Felix ever made. The film is set in the Moulin Rouge and she plays the character of Lola, a bellydancer who becomes a cancan girl at the famous theater. The film was praised for its portrayal of French Impressionism, as many Impressionist painters have painted the girls of the Moulin Rouge.
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