People of the Soviet era know the expression "You look like the Queen of Chauntecleer." It is connected with the picture of 1962. The main role in it was played by Sarah Montiel, whose biography will be considered.
Girl from the church choir
The biography of Sarah Montiel began on May 10, 1928. The real name according to Spanish traditions is very long - Maria Antonia ... Abad Fernandez. Her hometown was Campo de Criptana (Spain). The family had many children. They lived in poverty, professed Catholicism.
Parents wanted their daughter to become a nun. Maria studied at the school at the monastery, served in the church, sang in the church choir. But the girl was more interested in operas, which she listened to through the radio.
At seven, she began to sing operas herself. At eleven, Maria, without the knowledge of her parents, took part in a song contest. She was awarded first place. The prize was an opportunity to get a free education at the Music Academy. Mary did not think of any church choir anymore.
Actor career
The Academy of Music was completed, and the biography of Sarah Montiel continued in a new vein. At sixteen, she was auditioned for a movie. She was approved for the role in the first film ("I Love You for Me"), which was released in 1944. In the same period, the second work comes out with her participation. In the credits, she began to appear as actress Sarah Montiel. She borrowed her name from her grandmother, and the surname was the historical name of the area where Maria was born.
For five post-war years, she starred in fourteen films, released a record with songs, gave many concerts. But gradually the fame began to fade. To rectify the situation, the actress decided to quit her native places and go to conquer the world.
The conquest of Hollywood
Biography of Sarah Montiel continued in Mexico. Her career began with a leading role in the melodramatic picture on the historical theme of “Madness of Love”. She played a Muslim princess. In the new country, Sarah starred in thirteen films. Surprisingly, moving abroad returned to her attention from the Spanish press.
After seven years of work in Mexico, she was invited to Hollywood. Since 1954, her career continued there. The first work was the Veracruz Western. On the set, she met Gary Cooper. There was a connection between the actors.
Next was the musical melodrama Serenade, where the actress played with the opera tenor Mario Lanz. The director of the picture was Anthony Mann. Further films with Sarah Montiel began to be released in Spain. She returned to her homeland due to an unsuccessful personal relationship with her first husband.
Return to Spain
After returning to her homeland, the actress was waiting for a stunning success. She was invited by leading directors such as Juan de Ordunya. In some paintings, she sang songs, some of them became known throughout the world. For example, her rendition of Besame Mucho.
Films of Sarah Montiel:
- "The Last Verse" is a 1957 musical melodrama about the love of the prima donna of the musical hall and the bullfighter.
- “Violet Saleswoman” - a 1958 painting about the Christmas events of 1899 between a charming girl and a wealthy gentleman.
- “Carmen from Ronda” - the picture was taken in 1959 based on the novel by Prosper Merime about the gypsy Carmen, who lives during the Napoleonic Wars and meets with soldiers of both armies.
- “My Last Tango” is a 1960 film about the love of a young singer and an elegant gentleman, the action took place in Argentina and Spain.
- “The Queen of Chauntecleer” is a 1962 painting about the singer Charito, who is in love with the self-serving journalist Federico, but soon realizes that her true love is a simple young man Santi.
- “Beautiful Lola” is a 1962 film based on Dumas novel “A Lady with a Camellia” about a young female singer, who falls in love with a young aristocrat, their feelings are mutual.
- “Casablanca - the nest of spies” - a 1963 film about life in 1942 in Casablanca.
The actress was rightly called the "queen of melodrama." In 1977, she decided to end her career as an actress, explaining that she did not want to be naked, as required by the new movie. Montiel began to perform on the stage and on stage.
The actress died on April 8, 2013. She lived for 85 years and was remembered as a melodramatic actress and beautiful singer with a mysterious voice. What is known about the satellites of Montiel?
Personal life
Sara Montiel entered into official marriage four times. Her husbands were:
- Anthony Mann is an American filmmaker. Lived together for four years, the marriage was not successful.
- Jose Olaglia - industrialist, lived for six years.
- Jose Touche is a journalist. They lived in a happy marriage for more than ten years, but in 1992 death separated them.
- Antonio Hernandez is an operator of Cuban origin. He was thirty years younger than his wife, lived for three years, and then broke up in 2005.
Together with Jose Touche, Sarah brought up two adopted children - the son of Theil and the daughter of Thais. She was present at their birth and always considered her relatives.
In addition to official partners, Sarah had friendly relations with such famous people as the writer Ernest Hemingway, actor James Dean, poet Leon Felipe, actor Gary Cooper.