In last Friday's La Estrella de Tucsón, there was a short story about Cantinflas, the comic genius from México. The country plans to celebrate his prolific work on the anniversary of his 100th birthday, Aug. 12.
Cantinflas, who was 82 when he died of lung cancer in 1993, was Mexico's unparalleled screen star in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. He made about 50 films, many of which screened at the old downtown Cine Plaza before it was demolished as part of the 1960s urban renewal. In this country he was known for his role in the 1956 comedy classic "Around the World in Eighty Days."
As a kid struggling to learn Spanish, I was taken by my parents to see Cantinflas' films. I hardly understood his freestyling manner of speaking, known as "cantinfleando" - which is recognized by the Royal Spanish Academy, the guardians of the Spanish language.
In 1984, Mario "Cantinflas" Moreno attended a benefit at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church on North Campbell Avenue. Mario Celis, then a radio personality on KXEW-AM, Radio Fiesta, interviewed his namesake at the Arizona Inn.
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That was probably Cantinflas' only documented visit to Tucson.
But in 1968, the comic crossed the border on his way north to claim a mine left to him. Known for his drooping pants - this was years before young boys began wearing sagging pants - and his little mustache, Cantinflas crossed into Arizona on horseback with a pack mule in tow.
His fictional entry was part of his 1968 film "Por Mis Pistolas" ("By My Pistols).
If you're not familiar with Cantinflas style, let's say it's special. He talks fast, creates words with no meaning and can talk in circles.
In other words his is a perfect way to cross the border.
In the brief scene, Cantinflas approaches the border port of entry in the middle of the desert. It is nothing but a locked gate sandwiched by two posts and a small guard house. No walls, no highly armed agents, no barriers and cameras.
He gets off his horse and, seeing no one, rings the bell (the old fashioned kind) and wakes up the single border guard.
"Hey meester," Cantinflas says. The startled guard wakes from his slumber and shouts at Cantinflas.
"Don't yell at me," says Cantinflas. "I'm not even in your country."
Crossing the border into the United States these days is no fun. The lines are long and slow. Cantinflas' humorous take presaged today's border-crossing experiences.
The border guard, in heavily accented Spanish, asks a series of questions beginning with, "Where are you going?"
To Tucson, responds the comic.
After more inquiries, an exasperated Cantinflas asks, "Why all the questions?" Cantinflas says he's a tourist, coming to spend dollars.
"Do you think we are all braceros?" he asks, making reference to Mexicans who were legally recruited to work in the U.S. during World War II until 1964.
The guard continues asking questions.
"Do you intend to overthrow the United States?"
That question was all in good humor in 1968, of course, but today that's a question that preoccupies many Americans.
But the comic had a good answer.
"Don't be a clown," he says. "You have all the weapons." He assures the official he is crossing the border with good intentions.
After a couple of questions, the border guard is satisfied Cantinflas is not a terrorist or thief. He agrees to allow Cantinflas and his two animals to cross. But there's a problem.
The guard can't open the locked gate. He can't find the key.
Not to worry, says Cantinflas, as he pulls a key from his pocket. He proclaims it's a Mexican-made key that can open all the locks in the United States.
"You see, it's so easy," says the amused Cantinflas.
Ernesto Portillo Jr. is editor of La Estrella de Tucsón. He can be reached at netopjr@azstarnet.com or at 520-573-4187.
