Maria Montez (1912-1951)

biography

Born Maria Africa Gracia Vidal in the Dominican Republic on June 6, 1912, exotic actress Maria Montez was raised in the Canary Islands, where she attended convent school. She came to America in the late 1930s with her first husband, a British Army officer whom she married at age 25. The marriage fizzled soon thereafter, and Montez went to New York to take a modeling job. Her photos came to the attention of several studio executives. She initially signed with RKO, but when the studio declined to pick up her option, Universal Studios put her under contract in 1940.

Maria Montez's first film for Universal was the 1940 sci-fi comedy The Invisible Woman; however, her role wasn't much more than a bit part. Montez grew frustrated with the studio system at Universal, which dictated coming up through the ranks by way of small roles and low-budget films. Montez wished to start at the top, but without studio execs on her side, she started her own publicity campaigns and fan club. Throughout the next two years, Montez appeared in several more films, including That Night in Rio (1941; with Alice Faye and Don Ameche) and Raiders of the Desert (1941; with Richard Arlen and Turhan Bey), but she served as little more than window dressing in these films. So Montez stepped up her efforts at self-promotion, making grand entrances at nightclubs and social functions, and even appearing at smaller gatherings with her own entourage. Her efforts began to pay off by 1942, when she was cast in the title role in the film The Mystery of Marie Roget (1942; with Patric Knowles). Gaining a following, Montez insisted that her next film be shot in color, since she didn't photograph as well in black and white. Her impulse was correct, as Arabian Nights (1942; with Jon Hall and Sabu) was released during the 1942 Christmas season and became an instant smash hit.

the films of maria montez

Boss of Bullion City (1940)

Arabian Nights (1942)

Bombay Clipper (1942)

White Savage (1943)

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (1944)

Cobra Woman (1944)

Sudan (1945)

Siren of Atlantis (1949)

later years

In July 1943, Montez married French actor Jean-Pierre Aumont, but Aumont's service in World War II immediately interrupted the honeymoon. After returning from the war, Aumont returned to making films in America but was unhappy with the types of roles offered to him, so in 1948, Montez, Aumont, and their infant daughter moved to France, where Aumont resumed his career in French films.

Montez became discontented with the roles Universal offered her after the war. When she was cast in The Exile (1947; with Douglas Fairbanks Jr.), she found the role gave her only 20 minutes of screen time. She balked but later accepted the role rather than be suspended by the studio, but Montez had a stipulation in her contract giving her top billing. After getting out of her Universal contract, she began making films in Europe with quite a bit of success. Sadly, on September 7, 1951, Montez was found dead in the bathtub of her Paris home at age 39. Although no autopsy was performed, it was speculated that she had a heart attack. She was survived by second husband Jean-Pierre Aumont (1911-2001) and their daughter, actress Tina Aumont (1946-2006).

maria montez films available from movies unlimited

The Alice Faye Collection [DVD] DVD
"On the Avenue" (1937) stars Dick Powell as a Broadway impresario who produces a satirical musical starring Alice Faye as "The Richest Girl in the World." When the woman Faye plays appears at the theater outraged, Powell falls for her, setting in motion all sorts of wacky events. Madeleine Carroll and the Ritz Brothers co-star; among the Irving Berlin tunes is "I've Got Love to Keep Me Warm." Four-disc set also includes "Lillian Russell," "The Gang's All Here" (1943) and "That Night in Rio." 6 3/4 hrs. total.
That Night In Rio [DVD](1941) DVD
Lighthearted musical comedy boasts Don Ameche in a dual role as a wealthy Rio De Janeiro baron and his nightclub performer lookalike. When the aristocrat is unavailable for a big deal, the entertainer is enlisted to stand in and hopefully avert a financial disaster. With Alice Faye and Carmen Miranda. Features the songs "The Baron Is in Conference," "Chica Chica Boom Chic," "They Met in Rio (A Midnight Serenade)," and more. 91 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French; featurette; deleted scene; photo gallery; theatrical trailer.
Arabian Nights [DVD](1942) DVD
A dazzling spectacle, loosely based on the famous 19th-century fables, focusing on the battle between two brothers over their late father's throne. Evil brother Leif Erickson nearly kills sibling Jon Hall in a fight, but sultry dancing girl Maria Montez nurses the fallen brother back to health. With help from best friend Sabu, an aging Sinbad (Shemp Howard) and Aladdin (John Qualen), Hall sets out to regain his rightful position. 87 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH), French; theatrical trailer.
Ali Baba And The Forty Thieves [DVD](1944) DVD
Lavish adventure starring Jon Hall as the title character, the son of the murdered Caliph of Baghdad who is adopted by a band of thieves opposing an evil Mongol leader. Ali falls in love with the beautiful daughter (Maria Montez) of the tyrant's traitorous advisor, while trying to regain his father's throne and the empire's fortunes. With Turhan Bey, Kurt Katch, Andy Devine. 87 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH), French, Spanish.

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Please note: These titles have not been released to DVD at the present time:

maria montez photos and posters available

filmography

FILM
Camorra (1951)
City of Violence (1951)
Revenge of the Pirates (1951)
The Thief of Venice (1950)
Portrait of an Assassin (1949) with Erich von Stroheim
Wicked City (1948) with Jean-Pierre Aumont and Lilli Palmer
Siren of Atlantis (1948) with Jean-Pierre Aumont
The Exile (1947) with Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
Pirates of Monterey (1947) with Gilbert Roland
Tangier (1946) with Sabu and Louise Allbritton
Sudan (1945) with Jon Hall, Turhan Bey, and Andy Devine
Gypsy Wildcat (1944) with Jon Hall
Cobra Woman (1944) with Jon Hall, Sabu, and Lon Chaney Jr.
Follow the Boys (1944)
Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves (1944) with Jon Hall and Turhan Bey
Bowery to Broadway (1944) with Turhan Bey and Jack Oakie
White Savage (1943) with Jon Hall, Sabu, and Turhan Bey
Arabian Nights (1942) with Jon Hall, Sabu, and Turhan Bey
Mystery of Marie Roget (1942) with Maria Ouspenskaya and Patric Knowles
Bombay Clipper (1942) with William Gargan, Irene Hervey, Lloyd Corrigan, and Turhan Bey
South of Tahiti (1941) with Brian Donlevy and Broderick Crawford
Lucky Devils (1941) with Richard Arlen and Andy Devine
That Night in Rio (1941) with Alice Faye, Don Ameche, and Carmen Miranda
Boss of Bullion City (1941) with Johnny Mack Brown and Fuzzy Knight
Moonlight in Hawaii (1941) with Jane Frazee and Leon Errol
Raiders of the Desert (1941) with Richard Arlen and Turhan Bey
The Invisible Woman (1940) with Virginia Bruce and John Barrymore