Did you know?


Guillermo Calles (1891-1958), a Mexican of Tarahumara descent, was born in Chihuahua. He migrated to the United States as a child and later became the first Mexican actor in Hollywood.  His career as a stunt, extra and supporting actor spanned almost two decades in California; alas, he is not mentioned neither in books about Hispanics in Hollywood or in volumes about silent western films and serials.  Eventually, Calles fulfilled his dream to be not just an actor, but producer, writer, director and leading man, as well as distributor of his own films. For some time, he was an icon for many Mexican immigrants and Mexican Americans, who shared his nationalistic views and saw his success as their own. Thousands of people crowded the theaters to enjoy his personal appearances and his movies. Guillermo was also the first Mexican in making a film with synchronized sound. Learn more about his fascinating life and career here.

 

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About this site


This website is sponsored and maintained by the Agrasánchez Film Archive.  It is addressed to the general public and also to students and scholars interested in Mexican film and culture.


We aim to promote the study and appreciation of Mexican film through informed articles and the suggestion of new routes for film history research.


Articles and interviews are published here in the language they were originally written, whether Spanish or English.