[Tango-L] Rose/foot in the mouth

Crrtango@aol.com Crrtango at aol.com
Tue Jan 8 12:36:46 EST 2008


The rose-in-the-mouth image has no real connection with either Ballroom tango 
or Argentine tango. It is a Hollywood invention from the film "The Four 
Horseman of the Apocalypse" with Rudolph Valentino and derives singlehandedly from 
that film, but unfortunately has persisted to this day, because of the 
popularity of Valentino and the film.   As was often the case, and still is 
sometimes, Hollywood directors did not do extensive research to authenticate foreign 
cultures they portrayed, and in this case, the notion of tango or of the proper 
attire. Francisco Canaro mentions in his autobiography that he was aghast and 
shocked that he and his orchestra members were expected to wear gaucho outfits 
when they arrived to play in Paris...they of course had packed all their 
suits and tuxedos. In fact it was a deal-breaker...they had to wear them! He 
protested that it wasn't authentic but to no avail. Many people then and now still 
do not realize that tango is an urban phenomenon from Buenos Aires 
specifically (and in part from Montevideo), not so much from Argentina in general.

Cheers,
Charles 


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