Synopsis
Mateo Melgarejo is a notary public and scribe for the illiterate people of Santo Domingo, a neighborhood north of Mexico City's Zócalo. A squatter friend asks for his help in negotiating with the land census bureau to regularize a land title. After a great deal of frustration with the government bureaucracy, he writes a letter to the cabinet minister, earning an audience with him. The minister hires Melgarejo to reform the bureau, and the appointee proceeds to lecture the officials on their duties in a democratic society. At the end, he gives up the post, returning to Santo Domingo to help its poor residents.
Ratings
IMDb6.7/10
39 audience votes
Key crew
- Miguel M. DelgadoDirector
- Gustavo César CarriónOriginal Music Composer
- Tito DavisonScreenplay
Cast
- CantinflasMateo Melgarejo 'Mateíto'
- Chela CastroVicky
- Lucía MéndezBarbara
- Ángel GarasaAvelino Romero 'Romeritos'
- Manolita SavalEstrellita
- Delia Peña OrtaMaría
- Alonso CastañoDon Nachito
- Miguel ManzanoDon Antonio, señor ministro
- Daniel HerreraHuésped de Yucatán
- Tamara GarinaTamarita
- Alejandra MeyerJulia Ramírez, secretaria del licenciado
- Pedro de AguillónSr. Alcalino Buenrostro
Stills
Themes
friendshipgovernmentcorruptioncar raceclerkofficedeafministersecretarycar accidentbureaucratethics