La Fiesta de Santa Barbara (1935)

La Fiesta de Santa Barbara Poster

La Fiesta de Santa Barbara is a 1935 American comedy short film directed by Louis Lewyn. It was nominated for an Academy Award at the 9th Academy Awards in 1936 for Best Short Subject (Color). It features a young, pre-stardom 13-year-old Judy Garland singing "La Cucaracha" with her two sisters (billed as "The Garland Sisters"). In the film, Hollywood stars participate in a Mexican-themed revue and festival in Santa Barbara. Andy Devine, the "World's Greatest Matador," engages in a bullfight with a dubious bovine supplied by Buster Keaton, and musical numbers are provided by Joe Morrison and The Garland Sisters. Comedy bits and dance numbers are also featured.

Intro
"La Fiesta de Santa Barbara" is a 1935 brief funny movie directed by Louis Lewyn and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The movie presents the yearly 1935 Festival of Santa Barbara in 1935, showcasing the appeal and vibrancy of Hispanic culture with a dash of Hollywood star power.

Plot Summary
The film captures the essence of the 1935 Fiesta de Santa Barbara amidst the pomp, color, and home entertainment connected with the famous Santa Barbara street carnival. The plot does not follow a set story however instead highlights a series of linked events surrounding the Fiesta.

The movie admires the beauty of Santa Barbara, showcasing different facets of the town, consisting of sombrero design contests, hat designing, and standard dance efficiencies. The storyline then ventures into the parade ground, displaying the complex information of the preparation and splendor of the parade itself.

This revitalizing point of view gives insight into the friendship and interest buzzing in the town as residents actively take part in the celebrations. Their love and pride for their heritage show up throughout these charming scenes of vibrant costumes, embellished structures, floral parade drifts, and jubilant dances.

Star-Studded Cast
What sets "La Fiesta de Santa Barbara" apart is its impressive star-studded cast, including popular Hollywood names. More than 50 stars of the time make cameo looks, consisting of Andy Devine, Robert Taylor, and Gary Cooper, adding an unique touch of glamour to the joyful event. Comical duo The Ritz Brothers used comic relief, while band leader Ted Fio Rito and his orchestra lit up the night with their dynamic tunes.

Cinematic Process and Accolades
"La Fiesta de Santa Barbara" was recorded using three-color Technicolor, a technological novelty for the time. The applications of this procedure appear in the dynamic representation of the celebration, remarkably capturing the vibrant Hispanic culture's essence at its finest with technicolor processes.

The movie was well-received and praised for its technical radiance, brilliant color scheme, and easy going view of the celebration, garnering a nomination for Best Short Subject at the 1936 Oscars.

Cultural and Historical Impact
Despite being a light-hearted brief film made mainly for home entertainment, "La Fiesta de Santa Barbara" holds an important place in movie theater due to its special framing of cultural components utilizing advanced innovation of the time. The film syncs up high-profile Hollywood celebs with the common folk of Santa Barbara, showcasing the intermingling of different cultures with glowing positivity.

Moreover, the movie likewise has a historic effect as one of the very first usages of Technicolor in mainstream movie theater. It offered the audience with a more practical and in-depth watching experience, improving Technicolor's appeal as a filming method.

Conclusion
Overall, "La Fiesta de Santa Barbara" is a charming representation of the renowned Hispanic festival. This 19-minutes brief film invites the audience to take a look at not just the Fiesta's lively festivities but also uses glances of loved Hollywood celebrities engaging with the occasion, including depth to the film. The film stands as an outstanding recommendation for both the cultural glamour of regional Hispanic festivals and the preliminary enter technicolor filming.

Top Cast

  • Pete Smith (small)
    Pete Smith
    Narrator (voice)
  • Warner Baxter (small)
    Warner Baxter
    Himself
  • Ralph Forbes (small)
    Ralph Forbes
    Himself
  • Judy Garland (small)
    Judy Garland
    Herself
  • Chester Conklin (small)
    Chester Conklin
    Himself
  • Ida Lupino (small)
    Ida Lupino
    Herself
  • Edmund Lowe (small)
    Edmund Lowe
    Himself
  • Gilbert Roland (small)
    Gilbert Roland
    Himself
  • Binnie Barnes (small)
    Binnie Barnes
    Herself
  • Robert Taylor (small)
    Robert Taylor
    Himself
  • Harpo Marx (small)
    Harpo Marx
    Himself