Pina Pellicer
Encyclopedia
Josefina Yolanda Pellicer López de Llergo (April 3, 1934 – December 4, 1964), professionally known as Pina Pellicer, was a Mexican
actress known in Mexico for portraying the female lead in Macario
(1960), and in the United States as Louisa alongside Marlon Brando
in the Brando-directed movie One-Eyed Jacks
(1961).
to César Pellicer Sánchez, a lawyer, and Pilar López de Llergo. Her uncle Carlos Pellicer
was a modernist poet. Of her seven siblings, her younger sister Pilar Pellicer
also became an actress best known for her roles in numerous telenovela
s; another younger sister, Ana, is a sculptor and the co-author of Pina Pellicer's 2006 biography.
production One-Eyed Jacks
. In the movie Pellicer played Louisa, the stepdaughter of Karl Malden
and the lover of Marlon Brando
. Mexican actress Katy Jurado
also appeared as Louisa's mother. The production of the movie was much-delayed, and the original director Stanley Kubrick
left alongside with screenwriter Sam Peckinpah
, leaving Brando to finish the movie – the only time Brando was credited with directing a movie. So even though production started in 1958, the movie was not released until 1961. European response was positive, and in July 1961 the movie received the Golden Shell
(Concha de Oro) at the San Sebastián International Film Festival
. In addition, Pellicer was awarded the prize for best female performer, with reviews comparing her to Audrey Hepburn
. In the United States the response was more mixed and the movie received only one Academy Award nomination, for Charles Lang
's cinematography.
The first movie with Pellicer to reach the theaters was the Mexican production Macario
, released in 1960. Pellicer played the wife of the title character opposite Ignacio López Tarso
. Macario was the first Mexican production to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
, but ultimately lost out to Ingmar Bergman
's The Virgin Spring
. After Macario, Pellicer appeared in two more Mexican films, Días de Otoño, released in 1963, and Sinful
, released after her death in 1965. During her appearance at the San Sebastián Film Festival she had met Spanish director Rafael Gil
who cast the actress for the title role in the movie Rogelia, filmed in Asturias
and released in 1962. In addition to her movie work she also appeared in episodes for the television shows The Fugitive
("Smoke Screen", 1963) and The Alfred Hitchcock Hour ("The Life Work of Juan Diaz", 1964; written by Ray Bradbury
), as well as on Mexican television.
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
actress known in Mexico for portraying the female lead in Macario
Macario
Macario is a 1960 Mexican drama film directed by Roberto Gavaldón and starring Ignacio López Tarso.It was the first Mexican film to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Film in a Foreign Language. It was also entered into the 1960 Cannes Film Festival...
(1960), and in the United States as Louisa alongside Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando, Jr. was an American movie star and political activist. "Unchallenged as the most important actor in modern American Cinema" according to the St...
in the Brando-directed movie One-Eyed Jacks
One-Eyed Jacks
One-Eyed Jacks, a 1961 Western, is the only film directed by actor Marlon Brando, who also played its lead character, Rio.The film was originally to be directed by Stanley Kubrick and Sam Peckinpah...
(1961).
Family
Pellicer was born in Mexico CityMexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
to César Pellicer Sánchez, a lawyer, and Pilar López de Llergo. Her uncle Carlos Pellicer
Carlos Pellicer
Carlos Pellicer Cámara , born in Villahermosa, Tabasco, was part of the first wave of modernist Mexican poets and was heavily active in the promotion of Mexican art and literature...
was a modernist poet. Of her seven siblings, her younger sister Pilar Pellicer
Pilar Pellicer
Pilar Pellicer López de Llergo is a Mexican film actress, daughter of César Pellicer Sánchez and Pilar López de Llergo and sister of the actress Pina Pellicer.- Filmography :* Nazarín * Quinceañera...
also became an actress best known for her roles in numerous telenovela
Telenovela
A telenovela is a limited-run serial dramatic programming popular in Latin American, Portuguese, and Spanish television programming. The word combines tele, short for televisión or televisão , and novela, a Spanish or Portuguese word for "novel"...
s; another younger sister, Ana, is a sculptor and the co-author of Pina Pellicer's 2006 biography.
Career
Pellicer's first acting role, albeit only her second movie to be released, was the Paramount PicturesParamount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
production One-Eyed Jacks
One-Eyed Jacks
One-Eyed Jacks, a 1961 Western, is the only film directed by actor Marlon Brando, who also played its lead character, Rio.The film was originally to be directed by Stanley Kubrick and Sam Peckinpah...
. In the movie Pellicer played Louisa, the stepdaughter of Karl Malden
Karl Malden
Karl Malden was an American actor. In a career that spanned more than seven decades, he performed in such classic films as A Streetcar Named Desire, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, On the Waterfront and One-Eyed Jacks...
and the lover of Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando
Marlon Brando, Jr. was an American movie star and political activist. "Unchallenged as the most important actor in modern American Cinema" according to the St...
. Mexican actress Katy Jurado
Katy Jurado
Katy Jurado , born María Cristina Estela Marcela Jurado García in Mexico, D.F., was a Mexican actress who had a successful film career both in Mexico and in Hollywood....
also appeared as Louisa's mother. The production of the movie was much-delayed, and the original director Stanley Kubrick
Stanley Kubrick
Stanley Kubrick was an American film director, writer, producer, and photographer who lived in England during most of the last four decades of his career...
left alongside with screenwriter Sam Peckinpah
Sam Peckinpah
David Samuel "Sam" Peckinpah was an American filmmaker and screenwriter who achieved prominence following the release of the Western epic The Wild Bunch...
, leaving Brando to finish the movie – the only time Brando was credited with directing a movie. So even though production started in 1958, the movie was not released until 1961. European response was positive, and in July 1961 the movie received the Golden Shell
Golden Shell
The Golden Shell is the highest prize given to a competing film at the San Sebastián Film Festival. It was introduced in 1957. In 1953 and 1954, the highest prize had been called the Gran Premio. In 1955 and 1956 it was replaced by the Silver Shell...
(Concha de Oro) at the San Sebastián International Film Festival
San Sebastián International Film Festival
The San Sebastián International Film Festival is an annual FIAPF A category film festival held in the Spanish city of San Sebastián .-History:The festival was founded in 1953...
. In addition, Pellicer was awarded the prize for best female performer, with reviews comparing her to Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn was a British actress and humanitarian. Although modest about her acting ability, Hepburn remains one of the world's most famous actresses of all time, remembered as a film and fashion icon of the twentieth century...
. In the United States the response was more mixed and the movie received only one Academy Award nomination, for Charles Lang
Charles Lang
Charles Bryant Lang, Jr., A.S.C. was an American cinematographer.Early in his career he worked with the Akeley camera, a gyroscope-mounted "pancake" camera designed by Carl Akeley for outdoor action shots...
's cinematography.
The first movie with Pellicer to reach the theaters was the Mexican production Macario
Macario
Macario is a 1960 Mexican drama film directed by Roberto Gavaldón and starring Ignacio López Tarso.It was the first Mexican film to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Film in a Foreign Language. It was also entered into the 1960 Cannes Film Festival...
, released in 1960. Pellicer played the wife of the title character opposite Ignacio López Tarso
Ignacio López Tarso
Ignacio López Tarso is a Mexican actor of stage, film and television. He is considered as one of the country's finest actors.-Early life:...
. Macario was the first Mexican production to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
The Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film is one of the Academy Awards of Merit, popularly known as the Oscars, handed out annually by the U.S.-based Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences...
, but ultimately lost out to Ingmar Bergman
Ingmar Bergman
Ernst Ingmar Bergman was a Swedish director, writer and producer for film, stage and television. Described by Woody Allen as "probably the greatest film artist, all things considered, since the invention of the motion picture camera", he is recognized as one of the most accomplished and...
's The Virgin Spring
The Virgin Spring
The Virgin Spring is a 1960 Swedish drama film directed by Ingmar Bergman. Set in medieval Sweden, it is a revenge tale about a father's merciless response to the rape and murder of his young daughter. The story was adapted by screenwriter Ulla Isaksson from a 13th century Swedish ballad, "Töres...
. After Macario, Pellicer appeared in two more Mexican films, Días de Otoño, released in 1963, and Sinful
Sinful (film)
Sinful is a 1965 Mexican film. It was the last film in which Pina Pellicer acted....
, released after her death in 1965. During her appearance at the San Sebastián Film Festival she had met Spanish director Rafael Gil
Rafael Gil
Rafael Gil was a Spanish film director and screenwriter.- Filmography :*El hombre que se quiso matar .*Huella de luz. . –script too-*Viaje sin destino...
who cast the actress for the title role in the movie Rogelia, filmed in Asturias
Asturias
The Principality of Asturias is an autonomous community of the Kingdom of Spain, coextensive with the former Kingdom of Asturias in the Middle Ages...
and released in 1962. In addition to her movie work she also appeared in episodes for the television shows The Fugitive
The Fugitive (TV series)
The Fugitive is an American drama series produced by QM Productions and United Artists Television that aired on ABC from 1963 to 1967. David Janssen stars as Richard Kimble, a doctor from the fictional town of Stafford, Indiana, who is falsely convicted of his wife's murder and given the death...
("Smoke Screen", 1963) and The Alfred Hitchcock Hour ("The Life Work of Juan Diaz", 1964; written by Ray Bradbury
Ray Bradbury
Ray Douglas Bradbury is an American fantasy, horror, science fiction, and mystery writer. Best known for his dystopian novel Fahrenheit 451 and for the science fiction stories gathered together as The Martian Chronicles and The Illustrated Man , Bradbury is one of the most celebrated among 20th...
), as well as on Mexican television.
Death
Pellicer committed suicide on December 4, 1964, aged 30. The presumed cause was depression.Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Macario Macario Macario is a 1960 Mexican drama film directed by Roberto Gavaldón and starring Ignacio López Tarso.It was the first Mexican film to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Film in a Foreign Language. It was also entered into the 1960 Cannes Film Festival... |
Macario's wife | |
| 1961 | One-Eyed Jacks One-Eyed Jacks One-Eyed Jacks, a 1961 Western, is the only film directed by actor Marlon Brando, who also played its lead character, Rio.The film was originally to be directed by Stanley Kubrick and Sam Peckinpah... |
Louisa | |
| 1962 | Rogelia | Rogelia | |
| 1962 | Días de Otoño | Luisa | |
| 1963 | The Fugitive The Fugitive (TV series) The Fugitive is an American drama series produced by QM Productions and United Artists Television that aired on ABC from 1963 to 1967. David Janssen stars as Richard Kimble, a doctor from the fictional town of Stafford, Indiana, who is falsely convicted of his wife's murder and given the death... |
María Álvarez | Episode: "Smoke Screen" |
| 1964 | The Alfred Hitchcock Hour | María Díaz | Episode: "The Life Work of Juan Díaz" |
| 1965 | Sinful Sinful (film) Sinful is a 1965 Mexican film. It was the last film in which Pina Pellicer acted.... |
Irma |