Cine Mexicano: Poster Art from the Golden Age/Carteles de la Epoca de Oro 1936-1956 [Paperback]

Rogelio Agrasanchez (Author), Charles Ramírez Berg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2001

Sultry bandidas, gut-busting comicos, and terrifying monstruos--they all make appearances in Cine Mexicano. Combining art deco style with pulp fiction sensationalism, the more than 150 movie posters in Cine Mexicano are culled from the Agrasnchez Film Archive--the largest print collection of its kind. With a bilingual introduction that surveys the history of Mexican cinema, Cine Mexicano is an unforgettable exploration of gorgeous graphic art and exotic cinema at its finest.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Rogelio Agrasanchez Jr. is the Director and Curator of the Agrasanchez Film Archive in Harlingen, Texas.

Charles Ramirez Berg is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Radio, Television, and Film at the University of Texas at Austin.

Product Details

• Paperback: 132 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (April 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811830586
• ISBN-13: 978-0811830584
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 7.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #352,793 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the art of "La Epoca de Oro", January 21, 2003

By 

Alejandra Vernon "artist & illustrator" (Long Beach, California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cine Mexicano: Poster Art from the Golden Age/Carteles de la Epoca de Oro 1936-1956 (Paperback)

This dual-language book celebrates the wonderful posters that were made during the Golden Age of Mexican film (1936-1956), with depictions of some of its greatest stars, like the gorgeous Maria Felix pictured on the cover.
In the introduction by Charles Ramirez Berg, he states that "The main rationale for the book is preservation; to maintain the memory of movie posters", which were such a unique part of Mexico's superb cinematic history, and also to "acknowledge the artists, who often worked in obscurity".
Tragically, many posters (as well as films) were destroyed in a massive fire at the national film archive, the Cineteca National, in 1982. The 150 posters included in this book came from the Agrasanchez Film Archive in Harlingen, Texas, which houses a vast private collection of approximately 2,000 posters, as well as 1,400 Mexican films, and much more.

Included in this book is an extensive history of this period of Mexican film, a bibliography, and short bios of some of the artists, although a few posters are not credited, and some of the artists that are credited have no biographical material.
The heart of the book is the artwork, which is colorful, humorous, and dramatic. The women are extremely curvaceous (some scantily clad, and on two occasions with nothing at all), and many of the men, like Jorge Negrete in "El Fanfarron", looking dashing and "muy macho".
It is divided into categories: 1: Comedy, 2: Cabaret Girls, 3: Cowboys and Folklore, 4: History and Religion, 5: Drama, and 6: Mystery and Adventure.

My favorite is "Vuelven Los Garcia", by Juanino Renan Berenguer, with horses and riders in silhouette, against a magnificent sky, and two others painted by Juanino's brother Josep, "Cartas Marcadas" with Pedro Infante and Marga Lopez, and Libertad Lamarque in "Soledad"; both show portraiture with a hint of cubism, and are quite remarkable.
Also recommended is the lovely set of 40 postcards, selected from this book, in an attractive, sturdy gift box. the cards are on a matte finish stock, and the plates of this book have a semi-gloss finish. Both will be appreciated by fans of Mexican film, and anyone who enjoys popular art forms.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vivid Colors and Wild Designs, September 26, 2005

By 

John Preble "UCM Museum Director" (ABITA SPRINGS, LA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cine Mexicano: Posters from the Golden Age 1936-1956 (Paperback)

I do graphic work for a living. Having a book like this around helps the muse that visits my studio. I don't read the words. This is purely a picture book for me. And with that said - I really like it and use it for my job.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Important and Thrilling Collection, September 7, 2005

By 

Stephen H. Wilson "The Joyologist" (Columbus, Ohio) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cine Mexicano: Poster Art from the Golden Age/Carteles de la Epoca de Oro 1936-1956 (Paperback)

This so much suits my personal tastes, blending my affinity for the style of art, the era, and my love of the cinema. The collection is a visual joy and a great history lesson. Delightful. Fascinating. Thrilling.