Movie Song of the Week: "Mexican Americans"

In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, it's Cheech and Chong with the one song I can't help thinking about this time of year -- perhaps because I actually have two white friends named Debbie.

Movie Song of the Week: “Put the Blame on Mame”

In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, it's everyone's favorite entertainer Margarita Carmen Cansino (aka Rita Hayworth) in a number from 1946's Gilda. Ironically, Ms. Cansino is probably best known today for being the original inspiration for Jessica Rabbit, an animated redhead in the 1988 flick Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, which was inspired by the character Ms. Cansino played in this movie.

(Edited to add: Please ignore what I said about Jessica Rabbit here. I used to think that Ms. Lake's character in that movie was a good candidate for potential inspiring the creation of Ms. Rabbit but apparently the official title goes to Ms. Hayworth.)

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the number. Personally, I preferred Ms. Cansino as a brunette but then they didn't make this movie for me.

Movie Song of the Week: “There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This”

In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, it's the great Chita Rivera and her friends Shirley MacLaine and Paula Kelly in a number from 1969's Sweet Charity.

I'm not sure whether the West Side Story references in this song were intentional but given the fact that Ms. Rivera played Anita in the original Broadway version of WSS, it wouldn't surprise me if they were.

I hope you all enjoy it. Even if its lyrics seem even more poignant in these times than usual.

Canción de la Semana: “Amor Prohibido”

Just in time for the week of Mexican Independence Day and the first week of National Hispanic Heritage Month, it's one of the most famous singers of Mexican descent: Selena. Granted, the video is not much to speak of but her voice is nice. And “Amor Prohibido” always was one of my favorite tunes.

Besides, I just can't get enough Selena so I might as well post something about her.

Please enjoy:

Dates of Importance

Monday the 15th was the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month. Though I suppose one can ignore it if one considers oneself Latina/o. Being a person who has always considered the two terms to be interchangeable, I don't really care either way.

Tuesday the 16th was Mexican Independence Day.

Most important of all, Tuesday was also the birthday of my sister's oldest son. Feliz Cumpleaños to mi sobrino.