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Week-End in Havana | 
 enlarge | Director: Walter Lang
Actors: Alice Faye, Carmen Miranda, John Payne, Cesar Romero, Cobina Wright
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Category: DVD
List Price: $14.98
Buy New: $6.49
You Save: $8.49 (57%)
New (44) Used (17) from $5.99
Rating:  26 reviews
Sales Rank: 20058
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dubbed, Dvd-video, Full Screen, Subtitled, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), English (Dubbed), French (Dubbed), Spanish (Dubbed)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Region: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number Of Discs: 1
Running Time: 80 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: 2232559
UPC: 024543225591
EAN: 0024543225591
ASIN: B000BZISUI
Theatrical Release Date: October 17, 1941
Release Date: February 21, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: BRAND NEW, Factory Sealed items direct from the Studios. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Quick International Airmail!
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Product Description
A salesgirl (Alice Faye) threatens to cause trouble when cruise ship runs aground and vacation is ruined. As compensation she soon gets a free first class Havana holiday with the ship owner's future son-in-law (John Payne) as wall as some unexpected attention from a conniving gambler (Cesar Romero) and his girlfriend (Carmen Miranda).System Requirements:Running Time: 81 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: MUSICALS/MUSICALS UPC: 024543225591 Manufacturer No: 2232559
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| Customer Reviews: Read 21 more reviews...
 First Rate Factory Musical! Fantastic Music! Carmen Miranda! November 3, 2008
Paul Tominac (San Francisco)
Sequels? Prequels? In the old days, Hollywood just changed a few actors, re-wrote a few lines, changed the setting and added a few new dance numbers and Voila! New Film! This is factory film at its best! Most of the crew from "Song Of The Islands" is here, but Grable has been ditched for Alice Faye (Yahoo!) and Hilo Hattie for Carmen Miranda (Yahoo!)(and I love Hilo Hattie). Instead of two yachtsmen drifting ashore in Hawaii, Faye's cruise ship runs aground off Cuba. She saw the Captain where he shouldn't have been, and won't give in, so John Payne, agent for the shipping company (and soon to wed the boss's daughter) flies her to Havana, and escorts her the best he can. Carmen Miranda shows up and wiggles and jiggles her way in and amongst the english language and big hats; and way too quick, you're at the big musical finale, which these films did so well. One point here, look towards the lower center right screen for the male dancer who gets hopelessly lost. All of his embarrassment shows up on VHS, only part of it on DVD. Once again, this ain't high cinematic art, but man o man, it's a highly watchable film, with great music and likeable characters. This is the stuff that made Hollywood famous.
 A Sheer Havana Delight! November 2, 2008
Robert Badgley (London,Ontario,Canada)
I recently acquired this film on DVD,one I hadn't seen in many years,for which I had alot of fond memories,and which to my delight hadn't lost a single bit of its' charm.In fact the print used here is very clean and crisp and enhanced the viewing pleasure.Furthermore the Fox production unit didn't hold back on it's use of colour which was deliberately quite eye catching.
The story here is pretty standard musical fare of the period.But with this film especially,it's the sum of all its' parts that add up to a VERY enjoyable viewing experience.John Payne is a steamship executive who is sent to get waivers from passengers aboard ones of its' ships run aground off the Florida coast.He gets every passengers' signature but one,Macy's shop clerk Alice Faye.On the steamship expense,she is flown directly to Havana and put up in the presidential suite of a posh hotel.Payne is all business and his attempts to show Alice "a good time" backfires.She's bored.Into the picture comes suave and debonair Cesar Romero.He thinks Alice is a wealthy American.He "manages" local singer Carmen but has always got a scheme on the side to make money;mostly in the gambling department,which has left him in debt to casino owner Sheldon Leonard.He hopes "wealthy" Alice will get him out of his debts.Much to Cesars' chagrin he slowly finds out there's no chance.
In steps Payne who agrees to slowly pay off Romero's casino debts in exchange for his services in showing Alice a good time,in order to secure that all important waiver signature.Payne hasn't counted on the interference of Carmen who is quite jealous of Cesar's "attentions" towards any female,real or not,but especially Fayes'.The plot thickens with Payne getting involved as Carmen's new manager but in the process letting the cat out of the bag regarding his relationship with Romero.He becomes on the outs with both ladies until Payne and Faye get stranded miles from town and fall in love.Payne however is torn because of his betrothel to his sweetheart back in New York.Before he can come clean to Alice,his "intended" shows up to put a wrench into the proceedings.Payne and his fiance' fly back to New York but,as is his duty in these films,comes back happily to Alice in the end.
This picture,I understand,was a delight to make for all involved.All were to become fast friends on and off the set.The chemistry certainly shows on screen also.You will find that the film is edited beautifully and flows seamlessly from one scene to another and the 80 minutes brings the picture to too short an end.To me the highlight of this film is Carmen Miranda.Her energy and joie de vivre steal every scene in which she appears.She is in fine form in her beautful baiana and platform shoes,with those expressive eyes and flowing arms.She opens the movie and closes it nicely with fellow cast members.
The entire production is wonderfully choreographed by Fred Astaires' friend and working partner Hermes Pan who was having a very successful period with Fox.
The DVD comes with comes with the prerequisite trailer,audio commentary and photo gallery.However,enclosed with the movie are four collectible 5"X7" repro lobby cards.A very nice touch.
In conclusion this film is not an intellectual mountain-to-climb nor a dazzling special effects barn burner;it is a plain and simple musical of the times.What puts it head and shoulders above many other films of the day however is the wonderful cast that has great chemistry and charm.Enhancing the proceedings are Payne,Faye and Miranda who all have their musical moments in which there is never a dull moment during its' 80 minute run.
I recommend it highly!
Another fine Fox wartime musical romance July 20, 2008
W. Walker (westminster md)
Fox channel ran this film right after "Sun Valley Serenade", both released in 1941. This emphasized to me that both musical romances had basically the same plot, but in very different exotic settings and with different lead actors, except for John Payne. In both films, Payne is engaged to be married to one knockout, but gradually comes to realize he prefers a newcommer, Alice Faye, in the present film. Whereas in SVS, Payne spends most of the film trying to deny that he is falling in love with Sonja Henje's character, who keeps popping up unexpectedly, in the present film, it's Payne who keeps popping up unexpectedly in the life of Alice, who initially shows no interest in him. Both films are blessed with multiple stars, with complementary and overlapping talents. As usual, Payne is the fall guy for a series of embarrassing and comedic situations, can sing, and eventually winds up with the leading lady. Cesar Romero functions as the primary male comedian as well as something for the ladies to swoon over. Carmen Miranda is her usual effervescent flirtatious self, as different in personality and looks from prim dreamy-eyed Alice Faye as one can imagine. She is the centerpiece of occasional lavish costume musical numbers, whereas Alice renders her ballads in quite a different style. While Romero makes a play for Alice, whom he thinks is filthy rich, and Carmen flirts with Payne, savvy viewers know that Carmen will return to Romero, while Payne and Alice will return together to NYC. Like SVS, this film is just fun, with a vaudevillian mix of song and dance, comedy, drama and romance.
My DVD includes a very excellent commentary version by Jeanie Basinger, who enlightens us on the technical aspects of film making, as well as some background on the major stars. A background broshure and several postcards from the film were included. Also, in the film trailer department, "Pin Up Girl" and "Daddy Long Legs" are featured.
 Weekend in Havana December 20, 2007
Marguerite E. Dillman (Munster, IN USA)
For those of us who enjoy Alice Faye musicals, it was a pleasant and enjoyable movie.
Ah, Havana! August 16, 2007
M. Lubrano (Westminster, CA United States)
This film is a classic representation of those of its time and genre. Alice Faye was as good now as she was then. The supporting cast show their versatility from other films they have appeared in and the film is all around fun. The dancers & musicians of that era shine and can never be replaced.
Trust me-you'll enjoy it!
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