Carmen Miranda: Bananas Is My Business

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Carmen Miranda: Bananas Is My Business

1995

1h 31m

Documentary

Biography

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80%

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5 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

This documentary explores the life of Brazilian samba sensation Carmen Miranda. After gaining fame in Rio de Janeiro, Miranda was imported to Broadway in the late 1930s where she became the epitome of the exotic Latina. With a series of hit Hollywood musicals in the 1940s, Carmen's star continued to rise. But, with her banana-topped turban and sultry dance moves, the singer became a source of controversy in South America, where many called her crowd-pleasing act a racist caricature.

Marjorie Baumgarten

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 3/5

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Jul 19, 2005

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Jules Brenner

Cinema Signals

Rated: 3/5

Dec 7, 2004

Full Review

Jon Niccum

Lawrence Journal-World

Rated: 2/5

Nov 7, 2003

Full Review

Carol Cling

Las Vegas Review-Journal

Rated: 4/5

Aug 22, 2003

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Audience Member

I LOVE Her, I didn't favorite Her cause, well, you'd think I was too Fruity (Get it? The Fruit Hats & All).But I must admit to dressing as her for Halloween once as a Kid

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

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Audience Member

Dissapointing doc on Carmen Miranda, but it does fill in her pre-Hollywood career in Brazil

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

6.5/10. Very detailed biographical documentary, it appears quite accurate. Some outstanding footage of Carmen Miranda. The re-enactments are ridiculous though, there is one scene with an actress portraying Carmen's arrival in New York City and it shows a very modern skyline (which includes the WTC). Interesting film.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

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Helena Solberg

Director

Helena Solberg

Narrator

Cynthia Adler

Hedda Hopper

Alice Faye

Self

Aurora Miranda

Self

Leticia Monte

Carmen Miranda

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Synopsis

This documentary explores the life of Brazilian samba sensation Carmen Miranda. After gaining fame in Rio de Janeiro, Miranda was imported to Broadway in the late 1930s where she became the epitome of the exotic Latina. With a series of hit Hollywood musicals in the 1940s, Carmen's star continued to rise. But, with her banana-topped turban and sultry dance moves, the singer became a source of controversy in South America, where many called her crowd-pleasing act a racist caricature.

Director: Helena Solberg
Producer: David Meyer, Helena Solberg
Screenwriter: Helena Solberg
Genre: Documentary, Biography
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 31m