By RENE TORRES
“Ni Sangre, Ni Arena,” (“Neither Blood nor Sand”) was the second major film of Cantinflas that made it to the movie screen by 1941. Cantinflas, who once was called by Charlie Chaplin, “the world’s greatest comedian,” played dual roles in this movie.
In one of the characters, he was a meek devoted fan, while in the other — he demonstrated to be an egotistical matador. The humor begins when there’s an identity mix-up, as the humble fan, Cantinflas, is mistaken for a matador.
In the bull ring, just like in film, he brought the same kind of delight — his work in the ring became one of his most famous routines. Away from the screen, Cantinflas took his bullfight drama on the road, performing in arenas in Mexico, Europe and the United States.
It was in September of 1942, that Mario Moreno, better known as Cantinflas, arrived in Brownsville on a Saturday night on the evening Pan American Airways plane from Mexico City.
Moviegoers, who had seen Cantinflas in the above mentioned film, heard the comedic matador, ”Cantinfeando,” talking endlessly without saying anything, and also dispose of a charging bull using unorthodox antics, which kept them in an uproar.
His performance in Matamoros was a rare opportunity to witness the Charlie Chaplin of Mexico in person. Ticket sales for the five bull corrida were a sellout.
As thousands of bullfight fans from this side of border were anticipated to attend and due to the fact that the U.S. was engaged in war, the following reminder was issued to local fans: “Visitors crossing the border from the United States are reminded that no letters, magazines, or other papers are permitted to cross the border either to or from Mexico. In addition, only two dollar bills would be accepted to cross into Matamoros. If Valley visitors will remember these rules—traffic will move much faster over the bridges,” said government officials.
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