When the renowned Mexican comedian Cantinflas performed in Tucson on March 3, 1984, it was not his first trip to the area. Cantinflas, whose real name was Mario Moreno, had been here several times, in the 1950s and ’60s, to fight the “bulls” in the Nogales, Sonora bullring.
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Cantinflas as Passepartout in “Around the World in 80 Days.
Already famous in Mexico, Cantinflas became widely known in America after his appearance in the popular 1956 movie “Around the World in 80 Days.” He played the comical valet, Passepartout, to David Niven’s character of Phileas Fogg.
In 1957, Cantinflas was in Nogales, Sonora, to perform his famous bull fight satire. Although, the routine was usually performed with “ferocious” calves playing the part of the bull and generally their lives were spared, experts said that with his skill in the ring, he could have been a great matador.
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Cantinflas dances with his partner in 1963
Another of his several bull fighting visits took place in 1963. He took on the bulls with wooden swords and a cape. His footwork often included a fancy hop, skip and a jump, concluding with a dance duet with the animal. Fans, both young and old, were delighted.
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Cantinflas in 1968.
A recognized philanthropist, Cantinflas had been involved in several social programs in Mexico City and New York. In 1968, he came to Tucson for a performance sponsored by the League of United Latin-American Citizens.
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Cantinflas in 1984.
In 1984, Cantinflas gave a benefit for the Simon Peter Easter Pageant. That event raised $10,000 for the group. He was a friend of the pageant’s founder Katherine Genders.
Cantinflas died in 1993 at the age of 81.
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