Again Carlos Gardel, the popular Argentine tango singer and composer, is entertaining visitors to the Teatro Variedades in a Spanish-language film full of action and music. This one is called "Melodia de Arrabal" (Suburban Melody), presumably because the romance of the one-time convict (Señor Gardel) and the charming music teacher (Señrita Argentina) begins in a café in the outskirts of the city.

Before the inevitable happy ending is reached Señor Gardel and Señorita Argentina do considerable singing of sentimental pieces and tangos, to the audible satisfaction of the audience.

The story is fairly interesting, and the good acting of the principals is well supported in the minor rôles. The sound reproduction is clear and the photography is good.

MELODIA DE ARRABAL, a musical dialogue film in Spanish, with Carlos Gardel, Imperio Argentina, Jose Sentis and Marcel Lattes; directed by Louis Gasnier; a Paramount production. At the Teatro Variedades.

Posters from Gardel's movie "Melodía de Arrabal", 1933
Scanned from his posters by Brandon McGrath, U.S.A.

1932 "MELODIA DE ARRABAL" by Paramount, filmed in Joinville (France). Director: Louis Gasnier. Starring: Carlos Gardel, Imperio Argentina and Vicente Padula. Gardel interpreted the songs: "Melodia de arrabal", "Cuando tu no estás" and "Silencio".

Gardel playing Poker with Spanish actor Jaime Devesa (who also starred in "El Tango en Broadway" and "Cuesta Abajo" and "Flying Down to Rio") to his right and Vicente Padula to his left. With his back turned, it could be another Spanish actor Manuel Paris.

Another Poker Scene

See also: Gardel Filmography