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Mexican Film Star Idol Pedro Infante (Los Grandes) (Spanish Edition)

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This slim volume gives you more than a surface knowledge of "El Idolo de Guamuchil," with a lot of facts and basic details of his short but adventurous life, going from poverty as a carpenter to one of the greatest stars in the Spanish speaking world, still so loved and admired, with records and DVDs selling 50 years after his passing at the age of 39. After a few pages about his youth, the book concentrates on his films, categorized by director, starting with Ismael Rodriguez, who was to be a big influence in Infante's life, and the 16 films they did together. Others include Rogelio Gonzales (9 films), Miguel Zacarias (7 films), and others that would complete his total filmography of over 60 films.

There is a chapter on his recording career, and the composers that wrote his songs, like Manuel Esperon's "Amorcito Corazon," from "Nosotros los Pobres" which became a significant part of his repertoire, and how he had asked Jose Alfredo Jimenez to write a song for his great love Irma Dorantes, with "Despacito" being the result. There's a chapter on his faith, his good and generous heart, the very complex state of "Sus Amores," attempting to explain his marital situation which was "Muy complicada." No one is still quite sure who he was married to at the time of his death. There's a chapter on his passion for flying, and one on what happened on his final flight; his "Premios y Reconocimientos," and another about his inheritors and what he left them (a lot...though he had no will), a bibliography, and more.

This is a "budget" book with the type of paper that yellows in a few years, photos that look like copies though they are still nice, and it packs a large amount of information in its small size. Infante was such a natural, instinctive actor, and a wonderful singer; as a comedian or in drama, or on a horse in a comedia ranchera, he had, and still has, few (if any) equals.

A concise gem, this little book provides great insight into the life of the greatest icon of Mexican films. His unassuming nature is accurately captured in this well written biography. I could sense Mr. Infante's presence as I took in each page. My only regret is that I was left hungry for more; nevertheless, I applaud the author wholeheartedly!