Alias Gardelito (1961)
A portrait of ambition and moral collapse in mid-century Argentina, told through one young man's doomed pursuit of fame and fortune.
Alias Gardelito - Movie Information
- Original Title: Alias Gardelito
- Release Year: 1961
- Directed by: Lautaro Murúa
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 30m
- Original Language: Spanish
- Spoken Languages: Spanish
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 2, 1961 (Argentina)
- Alternative Titles: Alias Big Shot (US)
- Production Companies: Rio Negro Productions
- Production Countries: Argentina
Alias Gardelito - Plot
The title of this story is taken from the name of the great Argentine singer Carlos Gardel, the idol of the antihero Toribio portrayed by Alberto Argibay. Toribio's goal in life is to emulate the famous singer and making his own way successfully in the music business. Yet at the same time, he does not stop his illegal means of making ends meet, stealing and petty thievery. Discouraged when his big break never quite materializes, Toribio heads for disaster when he joins up with a large smuggling scheme.
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Alias Gardelito - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Lautaro Murúa
Main Cast
- Alberto Argibay
- Walter Vidarte
- Tônia Carrero
- Lautaro Murúa
- Orlando Sacha
- Nora Palmer
- Raúl Parini
- Virginia Lago
- Raúl del Valle
- Nelly Tesolín
Writers
- Bernardo Kordon
- Augusto Roa Bastos
Producers
- Leo Kanaf
Alias Gardelito - FAQs
Who plays the lead role in Alias Gardelito?
Alberto Argibay plays Toribio Torres, nicknamed 'Gardelito,' the film's central antihero. The supporting cast includes Walter Vidarte, Tônia Carrero, and director Lautaro Murúa himself in an acting role, among other notable Argentine performers.
What is Alias Gardelito about?
Alias Gardelito follows Toribio, a young Argentine man obsessed with legendary singer Carlos Gardel who dreams of music stardom. Unable to break through legitimately, he sustains himself through petty theft until a fateful involvement in a large smuggling operation sets him on a path toward ruin.
Why is the film called Alias Gardelito?
The title references Carlos Gardel, the iconic Argentine tango singer. The protagonist Toribio idolizes Gardel so deeply that he earns the nickname 'Gardelito,' meaning 'little Gardel.' This alias captures both his aspirations and the ironic gap between his dreams and his criminal reality.
Who directed Alias Gardelito?
Alias Gardelito was directed by Lautaro Murúa, a prominent Argentine actor and filmmaker. Notably, Murúa also appears in the film as a performer, taking on the role of the Ingeniero alongside the cast he directed.
When was Alias Gardelito released?
Alias Gardelito was released on January 2, 1961, in Argentina. The film was also distributed internationally under the alternative title Alias Big Shot for the US market, reflecting its ambitions beyond the Argentine domestic audience.
Who wrote the screenplay for Alias Gardelito?
The screenplay was written by Bernardo Kordon and Augusto Roa Bastos. Roa Bastos in particular was a celebrated Paraguayan novelist and screenwriter, lending the film considerable literary prestige and a sharp, socially aware narrative sensibility.
Is Alias Gardelito based on a true story?
Alias Gardelito is not based on a specific true story. It is an original dramatic work scripted by Bernardo Kordon and Augusto Roa Bastos. However, the film draws authentically from the social realities of mid-20th-century Argentina, grounding its fictional antihero in a recognizable cultural and economic landscape.
What is the runtime of Alias Gardelito?
Alias Gardelito has a runtime of 90 minutes. The film is an Argentine drama produced by Rio Negro Productions and released in January 1961, offering a compact but emotionally resonant portrait of ambition, failure, and moral compromise in Argentine society.
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