Armando Roblán was born on February 4, 1931 in Bejucal, Cuba as Francisco Armando Rodríguez Blanco. He was an actor and writer, known for Freedom Flight (2005), Camaleon: Atentado a Castro (1992). Known for his extensive work in theater, radio and television in Cuba and in Miami, Roblán was best known for his extraordinary impersonation of Fidel Castro. One of his successes was to keep the comedy En los 90 Fidel revienta (“In the 90s, Fidel Will Explode”) running at a local theater for more than a decade.
Roblán started his career in the early days of Cuban television drawing cartoons and performing impersonations in an amateur program presented by the TV tycoon Gaspar Pumarejo.
He also perfected the impersonations of other figures and characters in the world of show business such as Maurice Chevalier, Nat King Cole, Bola de Nieve, Liberace and Cuban poetry performer Luis Carbonell, among others. Roblán also worked on television in Panama and Puerto Rico.
In Miami he produced, acted and wrote numerous Cuban vernacular plays at the Martí Theater and Trail Theater on Calle Ocho.
Roblán began to impersonate Castro in Cuba after he came to power in 1959. He even did his impersonation of Castro at a world convention of the American Society of Travel Agents held in Havana — apparently without Castro’s permission..
He was often mistaken for the Castro in his tours throughout Cuba and people who saw him would present him with petitions.
Later, the Cuban government made political demands from him that he could not meet and he decided to leave Cuba.
In Miami, the actor began to play the role of Castro in several plays while creating other characters such as Ñañito, El Indio and El Chino, among other performances that he made popular on Univision’s Sábado Gigante.
As a television actor writer Delia Fiallo trusted him with the role of Calvo in the telenovela Morelia (1995) filmed in Miami and one of the top Univision hits.
In 1963, Roblán was part of the cast of La esquina del infierno (“The Corner of Hell”), considered the first Panamanian telenovela.
http://youtu.be/-AiQiozA_fY
In films he left his imprint in the movies Freedom Flight (2005), in which he played Fidel Castro, as he also did in The Disciples (2000), Havana Connection (1994) and The Chamaleon: An Assassination Attempt on Castro (1992). He was also in the comedy A mí qué me importa que explote Miami (“What Do I Care If Miami Blows Up”), in which he acted with Cuban comedian Guillermo Alvarez Guedes, and also in the Mexican film El tesoro de Morgan (“Morgan’s Treasure”) (1971).
Cuban actor Armando Roblán died of lymphoma in his home in Coral Gables 9 January 2013. He was 81.
Agencies/Various/Wiki/InternetPhotos/youtube/thecubanhistory.com
The Cuban History, Hollywood.
Arnoldo Varona, Editor.
Felipe Pazos (September 27, 1912 – February 26, 2001) was a Cuban economist who initially supported the Cuban Revolution of Fidel Castro, but became disillusioned with the increasingly radical nature of the revolutionary government.
Born in Havana, Pazos earned a doctorate from the University of Havana in 1938. He was a member of the Cuban delegation to the 1944 Bretton Woods conference. In 1946, he joined the staff of the fledgling International Monetary Fund that had been established at the Bretton Woods conference. He worked there for three years before returning to Cuba in 1950 to head the newly established National Bank of Cuba for two years at the behest of Cuban President Carlos Prío Socarrás.
After Fulgencio Batista took power in Cuba through a military coup d’état in 1952, Pazos became active in supporting the resistance against Batista. Batista’s rule came under increasing assault during the 1950s, and he and the Cuban military soon found themselves fighting against a young Castro and the forces of his 26th of July Movement. At the time, Castro was waging a guerrilla campaign in the mountainous Sierra Maestra region of Cuba.
Batista had declared that Castro had been killed; however, Pazos arranged for New York Times reporter Herbert Matthews to come and meet Castro in February 1957. The resulting interview refuted Batista’s claims, and gave Castro and his revolutionaries international attention. In July 1957, Castro convened a meeting in the Sierra Maestra between his group of rebels and pro-Capitalist representatives, including Pazos. Pazos’ signature on the July 12 Sierra Manifesto was meant to help reassure the Cuban people that the revolutionaries were not radical ideologues. Pazos and his family were forced to flee Cuba soon after its release.
After Castro’s victory in 1959, Pazos returned to Cuba and once again headed the National Bank of Cuba. However, he soon found himself becoming increasingly disillusioned with the new Cuban government. In April 1959, Castro and his aides, including Pazos, visited the United States. Many had suspected that the purpose of the visit was to ask for economic aid, but Castro forbade Pazos from making any such requests. Pazos privately expressed his frustrations to officials at the U.S. State Department and Treasury Department.
Pazos’ confidence was further weakened when Castro ordered the arrest and imprisonment in October 1959 of Huber Matos, an anti-Communist revolutionary who had recently resigned from office. After Castro angrily denounced the United States for being complicit in the “bombing” of Havana with thousands of anti-Castro leaflets by the ex-Air Force Chief Pedro Luis Diaz Lanz, Pazos decided to resign. He tendered his resignation on October 23, 1959 to President Osvaldo Dorticós Torrado. Pazos was allowed to leave Cuba and left the country soon afterward.
Pazos ended up working at the Alliance for Progress and the Inter-American Development Bank, writing many economic articles on Latin America, before retiring in 1975 to Venezuela. He died in Puerto Ordaz.
He had three sons and a daughter. His son Felipe starred alongside Spencer Tracy in the 1958 film adaptation of Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea.
Agencies/Various/Wiki/InternetPhotos/youtube/thecubanhistory.com
The Cuban History, Hollywood.
Arnoldo Varona, Editor.
René Cardona, (October 8, 1905, Havana, Cuba – † April 25, 1988; Mexico City) was a director, actor, producer, screenwriter, script writer and film editor of the Golden Age of Mexican cinema.
René Cardona was born in Havana, Cuba on October 8, 1905, is in his native country of medical school starts, but due to the political problems of the island, he and his family moved to New York in 1926, in where he continued his studies, he has to leave soon after because of the economic crisis experienced by his family, being in the United States, is friends with the famous actor Rudolph Valentino and this gets you working as an extra in several films, produced until 1929 he wrote, directed and starred in the first film spoken in Spanish, made in Hollywood: Shadows Havana, had previously done the same but with the short flight 1925 Glorious Necklace of Barberon and airmen.
He also had the opportunity to develop in various positions, such as second assistant, technical advisor and first assistant director; He learned film and lighting technique, in 1932 he moved to Mexico, where he debuted as an actor and meets Juliet Zachary, sister of the director Miguel Zacarias and soon married, and his wife who would be a major support in his career in Mexican cinema , films the Records “Hand in Hand” (1932) Dir Ramòn pawn and “Over the Waves (1932)” Dir M. Zacharias, at this early stage as an actor participates in three key films of Mexican cinema.. Marijuana (1936) , the grisly trunk (1936) and Back in the big ranch (1936), which officially inaugurate the golden age of Mexican cinema and would star the protagonists: Esther Fernandez, Tito Guizar, and René own.
Directing career in Mexico.
After the success of Back in the big ranch (1936), the following year he decided to direct his first film in Mexico. This would be Don Juan Tenorio, who also stars. Although it was not a success, it did not stop Cardona for his next project. In two of them, boy Back in the Range (1938) and The River Queen (1939), debuts two future stars: Blanca Estela Pavón in the first and in the second Susana Guizar.
Shortly after he gives one of his first opportunities to star Pedro Infante Jesusita en Chihuahua (1942), and introduces German Valdes Tin Tan first film in Summer Hotel (1944). In gratitude, both actors accept appear together for the only time in film Cardona: Also pain is sung (1952).
His career became so prolific that of 1937-1986 directed over a hundred films, which led to some of the biggest stars in Mexico. In the late fifties he made two films aimed at children: Tom Thumb (1957) and Santa Claus (1959), which earned him several international awards.
In the sixties and seventies also enter fully into directing films called fantasy film, where he directs the leading figures of this: El Santo, Blue Demon and Lorena Velázquez.
In the seventies he produced and directed three films of huge international success: The island of single men (1974), considered his best film as director and based on the novel by José León Sánchez, The little Robin Hood (1975) and Survivors the Andes (1976).
Cardona directed his last film in 1982, just as the Mexican cinema came into its worst in cinema ficheras.
As an actor René also achieve prestige, was a founding member of the ANDA and twice nominated for the Ariel Award and acted in over 100 films, the most memorable are The Secret of Priest (1941, Cavalry of the Empire (1942), The Rock All Souls (1943), where to tape her debut Maria Felix, Lady Windermere’s Fan (1944), the golden boat (1947), Soledad (1947) with Libertad Lamarque, marked Cards (1948), with Peter Infante and Marga Lopez, the Vortex (1949) with Alicia Calvo and Armando Caro, the three perfect married (1953) Arturo de Cordova and Miroslava among others, his career continued until shortly before his death and even acted in some tapes directed by his son, René Cardona Zacharias and house burning at night (1985).
http://youtu.be/GS8DIUe592o 1959 – Santa Claus – René Cardona | IMDB | FULL MOVIE
Last years and death.
His last screen appearances were in the wild rose soap opera and film Attorney War (1989), was honored in life by the national film library of Mexico on December 15, 1986 and received El Heraldo de Mexico in recognition of his 52 years of film work that year. He died in Mexico City on April 25, 1988.
Acknowledgments.
Ariel Awards.
1955 male Coactuación May you be happy! nominated
1957 Nominated male Coactuación A new dawn
San Francisco International Film Festival (Golden Gate award)
Year Category Film Result
1959 Best International Family Film Award Santa Claus.
Agencies / Wiki / InternetPhotos / youtube / thecubanhistory.com
The Cuban History, Hollywood.
Arnold Varona, Editor.
CUBA PHOTOS.
RENÉ CARDONA, ACTOR, PRODUCTOR EN LA ÉPOCA DE ORO DEL CINE MEXICANO.
René Cardona, (Octubre 8, 1905, La Habana, Cuba – † 25 de abril 1988; Ciudad de México) fue un editor de director, actor, productor, guionista, guionista y cine de la Edad de Oro del cine mexicano.
René Cardona nació en La Habana, Cuba el 8 de octubre de 1905, se encuentra en su país natal de que comience la escuela de medicina, pero debido a los problemas políticos de la isla, él y su familia se mudó a Nueva York en 1926, en donde continuó su estudios, que sale poco después a causa de la crisis económica experimentada por su familia, estar en los Estados Unidos, es amigo del famoso actor Rodolfo Valentino y esto te lleva a trabajar como extra en varias películas, producido hasta 1929, escribió, dirigió y protagonizó la primera película hablada en español, hecha en Hollywood: Sombras Habana, habían hecho anteriormente lo mismo pero con el corto vuelo 1925 Collar Gloriosa de Barberon y aviadores.
También tuvo la oportunidad de desarrollar en varias posiciones, como asistente, asesor técnico y asistente de dirección; Aprendió el cine y la técnica de iluminación, en 1932 se trasladó a México, donde debutó como actor y conoce a Julieta Zachary, hermana del director Miguel Zacarías y pronto se casó, y su mujer, que sería un apoyo importante en su carrera en el cine mexicano , películas de la “mano a mano” Records (1932) de empeño Dir Ramòn y “Sobre las olas (1932)” Dir M. Zacarías, en esta primera etapa como actor participa en tres películas clave del cine mexicano .. Marihuana (1936) , el tronco macabro (1936) y la vuelta en el rancho grande (1936), que inaugura oficialmente la edad de oro del cine mexicano y protagonizaría los protagonistas: Esther Fernández, Tito Guizar, y René poseen.
Directivo carrera en México.
Tras el éxito de vuelta en el rancho grande (1936), al año siguiente se decidió a dirigir su primera película en México. Esto sería Don Juan Tenorio, quien también protagoniza. Aunque no fue un éxito, no se detuvo Cardona para su próximo proyecto. En dos de ellos, muchacho vuelta en el rancho (1938) y The River Queen (1939), se estrena dos futuras estrellas: Blanca Estela Pavón en la primera y en la segunda Susana Guízar.
Poco después de que él le da una de sus primeras oportunidades para protagonizar Pedro Infante Jesusita en Chihuahua (1942), e introduce alemán primera película Valdés Tin Tan en Summer Hotel (1944). En agradecimiento, tanto a los actores aceptar aparecen juntos por única vez en el cine Cardona: También el dolor se canta (1952).
Su carrera llegó a ser tan prolífica que la de 1937-1986 dirigido más de un centenar de películas, lo que llevó a algunas de las estrellas más grandes de México. A finales de los años cincuenta hizo dos películas dirigidas al público infantil: Tom Thumb (1957) y Santa Claus (1959), que le valió varios premios internacionales.
En los años sesenta y setenta también entrar de lleno en las películas que dirigen llamados película de fantasía, donde dirige las principales figuras de este: El Santo, Blue Demon y Lorena Velázquez.
En los años setenta se produjo y dirigió tres películas de gran éxito internacional: La isla de los hombres solos (1974), considerada su mejor película como director y basada en la novela de José León Sánchez, El pequeño Robin Hood (1975) y Sobrevivientes de los Andes (1976).
Cardona dirigió su última película en 1982, al igual que el cine mexicano entró en su peor momento en el cine ficheras.
Como actor René también lograr prestigio, fue miembro fundador de la ANDA y dos veces nominado para el Premio Ariel y actuado en más de 100 películas, las más memorables son el secreto del sacerdote (1941, Caballería del Imperio (1942), The Rock Todas las almas (1943), en los que a la cinta su debut María Félix, El abanico de Lady Windermere (1944), el barco de oro (1947), Soledad (1947) con Libertad Lamarque, Tarjetas marcados (1948), con Pedro Infante y Marga López, Vortex (1949) con Alicia Calvo y Armando Caro, los tres perfectas casadas (1953) Arturo de Córdova y Miroslava, entre otros, su carrera continuó hasta poco antes de su muerte e incluso actuó en algunas cintas dirigidas por su hijo, René Cardona Zacarías y casa quema en la noche (1985).
http://youtu.be/GS8DIUe592o 1959 – Santa Claus – René Cardona | IMDB | PELÍCULA COMPLETA
Últimos años y muerte.
Sus últimas apariciones en la pantalla estaban en la rosa silvestre Guerra Fiscal telenovela y el cine (1989), fue honrado en la vida por la filmoteca nacional de México el 15 de diciembre 1986 y recibió El Heraldo de México en reconocimiento a sus 52 años de trabajo en el cine ese año. Murió en la Ciudad de México el 25 de abril de 1988.
Agradecimientos.
Premios Ariel.
1955 masculino Coactuación Que seas feliz! nominado
1957 Nominado Coactuación masculina Un nuevo amanecer
Festival Internacional de Cine de San Francisco (premio Golden Gate)
Año Categoría Película Resultado
1959 Best International Film Award Familia de Papá Noel.
Agencias / Wiki / InternetPhotos / youtube / thecubanhistory.com
La Historia de Cuba, de Hollywood.
Arnold Varona, Editor.
Armando Roblán was born on February 4, 1931 in Bejucal, Cuba as Francisco Armando Rodríguez Blanco. He was an actor and writer, known for Freedom Flight (2005), Camaleon: Atentado a Castro (1992). Known for his extensive work in theater, radio and television in Cuba and in Miami, Roblán was best known for his extraordinary impersonation of Fidel Castro. One of his successes was to keep the comedy En los 90 Fidel revienta (“In the 90s, Fidel Will Explode”) running at a local theater for more than a decade.
