Search - Tango Bar on DVD

Gardel sings better every day! A performance by The King of

Penumbra | Atlanta, GA USA | 03/16/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's a sad day in 1935. The passenger ship Gneisenau is about to sail from the port of Buenos Aires, and Ricardo Fuentes is reluctantly leaving his homeland. As he looks out over the ship's rail he spots his friend, Puccini. Puccini has come to see him off and bring him the few pesos that remain from the sale of Fuentes' home after his debts have been paid. Fuentes explains in song ("Por Una Cabeza") how he came to lose his fortune by taking chances on women and horses. Now Fuentes has to leave his beloved Buenos Aires and seek his fortune in Barcelona.

Although he says he has learned his lesson, Fuentes is soon victimized by The Thunderbolt when he sees the lovely, young Laura Montalván board the ship with her entourage. Mrs Montalván has no known lovers or protectors, only her three dogs that accompany her everywhere. It's love at first sight for Fuentes, and he wastes no time finding an opportunity to meet her and let her know his feelings. Laura has no interest in Fuentes and makes short work of him. But as their paths continue to cross Fuentes learns that Laura Montalván has a dark past and a shameful secret.

The story has crime, mystery, accusations, tears, recrimination, close calls, entrepreneurship, singing, dancing and, since this is a 1930's move, in the end there is redemption. It's a fine little morality tale of the sort that was rare when this was filmed almost 75 years ago and, regrettably, is unknown today.

Ultimately though this is a vehicle for Gardel to sing, dance and look elegantly cool in a variety of settings. He goes from suit to morning coat to tuxedo to tangero making each change with graceful ease. Always there is The Voice, a rich baritone that caresses each lyric. Gardel was an amazing performer and "Tango Bar" is a nice showcase for his many talents. The script was written by Alfredo Le Pera, the lyricist who collaborated with Gardel on some of the greatest tango standards every written. Both La Pera and Gardel were killed in a plane crash a few months after the film was finished.

The film on this DVD is 59 minutes long - NOT the 1:27 advertised in the editorial information. Oh, and while we're on the subject of the editorial info... Gardel was about 45 years old when he filmed "Tango Bar" and he looked young for his age. In my book, 45 isn't "well past middle age" - unless the writer is in junior high. Gardel is perfect for the role.

The DVD comes with subtitles in Spanish, English or Portuguese. The special features package includes four colorized clips of Gardel singing in various films. Those clips are cleaned up pretty well. "Tango Bar" itself was cleaned up somewhat, but it certainly hasn't been remastered from original stock. Plenty of dust and artifacts appear and disappear on the black and white print; sections of the film range from overexposed to overly dark; and sadly there are sections where the print skips over a line or a lyric. Nevertheless, I think that having a print of "Tango Bar" is like owning a treasure. Highly recommended for fans of old movies, foreign films, tango, Gardel or any combination thereof. This is a real treat at a bargain price!"

Singing Tangos from Buenos Aires to Barcelona & Back.

Maximiliano F Yofre | Buenos Aires, Argentina | 01/21/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Tango Bar" (1935) was filmed at USA in 1935. Later that year Carlos Gardel will die in an airplane accident, truncating the planned movie star career within the Paramount, a follow-up of his brilliant tango singer lifework.
This was the first of the two Gardel's movies directed by John Reinhardt & co-starred with Rosita Moreno.

The story starts when Ricardo Fuentes a disheartened tango singer flies from Buenos Aires after paying his gambling debts and possibly with some love injures too.
The same cruise ship is boarded by another fugitive, the mysterious and lovely Laura Montalvan escaping from her dark past.
Their paths will cross and continue crossing after arriving to Barcelona.

The film is a typical product of the 30's quite naïve & elemental nevertheless giving room to Gardel's extraordinary voice & charm singing some unforgettable Tangos: the classical "Por una Cabeza" ((Loosing a Horserace) by a Head) where the singer lament his bad luck at the races & love affairs and "Arrabal Amargo" (Bitter Suburb) staged at the Tango Bar of the title. Gardel sings two more songs: "Lejana Tierra Mia" (My Faraway Country) alluding the Spaniards immigrants homesickness very similar to that of the Irish people who came to America; "Los Ojos de mi Moza" (The Eyes of my Girl) is a standard love song.
This features more than justify buying this DVD.


Gardel's fans and Tango lovers: do not let this musical time capsule go unnoticed!
Reviewed by Max Yofre
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