Cantinflas
Comedian. Actor. Filmmaker.
Embedded Files
"All the world knows Cantinflas as one of the greatest and one of the best loved comedians of all times. But we know him best as a man whose heart always goes out to his fellow man. We know him as a man who believes in human dignity. We know him as a man who has done more to further good relations between the United States and our neighbor to the south, Mexico, than most professional statesmen have done."President Johnson, November 21, 1965
Cantinflas (Mario Moreno)
Mario Moreno, better known as Cantinflas, was an iconic Mexican comedian, actor, and filmmaker active from the 1930s to the 1980s . Charlie Chaplin, the famous English comic actor, was reported to have thought so highly of Cantinflas' work that he once called him the greatest living comedian.
Perhaps best known for his role as Passepartout in the 1956 film Around the World in 80 Days, Cantinflas was beloved for his humor and comedic language. However, the actor's playful use of language didn't translate easily into English.
Another of his most cherished characters, "El Peladito," was a poor man who used his wit and good luck to escape from impossible situations— a character that very much reflected Cantinflas' own early life.
Cantinflas first found an audience for his wit in circus tents and then later on stages and the big screen. His professional success provided him with opportunities to give back and throughout his life he spent much of his time and money helping the poor and advocating for social reform.
In her Daily Diary, Lady Bird described a state dinner for President Ordaz of Mexico, at which Cantinflas was also a guest: "But the star of the evening was Cantinflas. And I loved what Lyndon said about him in his toast - that 'his popularity was such that if he were to run for public office in either country, he might retire both of us to private life. It is our good fortune that "Cantinflas" prefers to make fun of Presidents rather than run against them.'"
Cantinflas in 1965.LBJ Library photo by Yoichi Okamoto [A1597-18]
Campaigning in Texas
LBJ and Cantinflas' friendship began in 1961, when LBJ asked him to come to San Antonio to help rally for Henry B. Gonzalez, the first Mexican American from Texas to be elected to the United States Congress.
After former President Eisenhower campaigned for Gonzalez's opponent, Gonzalez asked Vice President Johnson to come to San Antonio to help rally votes. LBJ asked Cantinflas to join him in supporting Gonzalez by addressing voters at shopping centers and supermarkets in San Antonio.
LBJ and Cantinflas returned to San Antonio in 1965 to again endorse Gonzalez. Both times, Cantinflas stayed at the LBJ Ranch.
Lady Bird, LBJ, and Cantinflas in San Antonio to rally for Gonzalez on November 21, 1965. LBJ's Daily Diary describes the day with much detail. Gonzalez had a long career of public service representing the underrepresented, before being elected to the US House of Representatives in 1961, a position he held until 1999.LBJ Library photo by Yoichi Okamoto [A1593-12A]
Detailed description on how LBJ arranged to get Cantinflas to come to Texas in 1961 on short notice:
Oral history transcript, Charles K. Boatner, interview 2 (II), 5/21/1969, by Joe B. Frantz (starts on page 14)Boatner describes how LBJ and Cantinflas came to campaign for Gonzalez in 1961. "“we got Cantinflas on the phone…It was about thirty minutes, but I'll say those operators in Mexico City that night performed as well as the White House operators do. They found him…he [LBJ] introduced himself as he did in every call, "This is Lyndon Johnson," then he told him that this was a chance that the Mexican Americans had to elect their first member from Texas to Congress and would it be possible for him just to come to San Antonio the next morning…."
A Visit by the Johnsons
On April 15, 1966, President Johnson and his family went to Mexico City for a visit. They visited with President Ordaz, who hosted a luncheon in their honor. Cantinflas was also a guest at the luncheon.
That afternoon, the Johnsons accompanied Cantinflas to his home, where Mrs. Johnson was given an Aztec medal by Cantinflas' six-year-old son. The medal was given as a token of appreciation for the kindness the Johnsons showed months earlier when Cantinflas' wife was battling cancer. A Daily Diary account of that interaction can be read below.
Luci Baines Johnson is being escorted to the lunch table by Cantinflas on a visit to Mexico. April 15, 1966LBJ Library photo by Yoichi Okamoto [A2263-26A]
According to LBJ's Daily Diary from April 15, 1966 " Several months ago [January 2, 1966], when the President and Mrs. Johnson were at the LBJ Ranch, the President had sent down his Jetstar to pick up Senator Paul Douglas. When they were flying out from Mexico City, they received word from the tower, that Cantinflas and his dying wife were leaving Mexico City in his plane, and had gotten engine trouble. The plane turned back and picked up Cantinflas and his wife and brought them to the LBJ Ranch - where they were then transferred to the President's private plane at the ranch and flown to Temple, Texas - in an effort to save her life. For this Cantinflas and his son were extremely grateful and his son wanted to give a small token of his appreciation to Mrs. Johnson." The gift was a gold Aztec medal with names and the date of the visit inscribed on the back.
Lady Bird and President Johnson at Cantinflas' residence in Mexico City, April 15, 1966LBJ Library photo by Yoichi Okamoto [From contact sheet A2267]
Audio diary and annotated transcript, Lady Bird Johnson, 1/2/1966 (starts on page 2)Lady Bird describes how LBJ helped get Cantinflas and his wife to a US hospital. "...of course Lyndon went into full gear to help in every way. Immigration people were standing at the foot of the plane when it landed to check them out very quickly. We had Dale ready with our plane to take them to Temple..."
Oral history transcript, Antonio J. Taylor, 11/23/1969 (starts on page 21)Tony Taylor (Lady Bird's brother) was on the plane that turned around to pick up Cantinflas and his wife. “…Arriving in Mexico City, who came up in considerable distress no less a person than Cantinflas. He had his own plane; the plane had had engine trouble and couldn’t fly. Could they go with us?…”
Oral history transcript, Antonio J. Taylor, 11/23/1969 (starts on page 21)Tony Taylor (Lady Bird's brother) was on the plane that turned around to pick up Cantinflas and his wife. “…Arriving in Mexico City, who came up in considerable distress no less a person than Cantinflas. He had his own plane; the plane had had engine trouble and couldn’t fly. Could they go with us?…”
Cover photo: Movie producer Jacques Gelman, President Johnson, and Cantinflas at the LBJ Ranch, November 20, 1965. LBJ took them deer hunting on this trip.LBJ Library photos by Yoichi Okamoto [A1583-19]
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