Sube y baja

Cantinflas, a rough-around-the-edges sports fan, is spotted by the owner of a thriving sporting goods store, Don Gaspar, who hires him as a salesman after seeing him play an American football game. The decision sets off a rocky path: Cantinflas’ lack of business savvy and his knack for causing clumsy mishaps sow distrust among potential customers, yet Don Gaspar, guided by a hunch that there could be something useful in his chaos, decides to keep him on. The store’s manager, Señor Robalo, pours cold water on Cantinflas’ chances with constant complaints and suspicions, but the owner remains hopeful that the unwieldy new hire might eventually prove his worth. A pivotal moment comes when Cantinflas inadvertently insults Don Gaspar’s wife, and the owner, reluctant to sever the growing but fragile trust, demotes him to the role of elevator operator. This move paves the way for a bigger plan: Don Gaspar sends Cantinflas to Acapulco to coax Jorge Maciel into an advertising contract that could dramatically boost the business.

In Acapulco, Cantinflas travels with his compadre and checks into a hotel, where fate twists the tale. He is assigned suite No. 7, and Lucy, a wealthy woman infatuated with the world-famous athlete, becomes convinced he is Maciel after being told that the genuine star would stay in that very suite. The moment of mistaken identity opens a door to romance and opportunity. Cantinflas, who has begun to sense the spark with Lucy and has grown fond of the idea of meeting Maciel, decides to ride the ruse a little longer. He confesses their mutual attraction to Lucy and reveals his plan to meet Maciel, and Lucy—believing in the possibility that he might be the star—agrees to go along with the deception, even as the real Maciel prepares to arrive. The hotel then stages a series of sports competitions to showcase “Maciel’s” prowess, and Cantinflas wins them all, turning his accidental impersonation into a surprising success.

When the real Jorge Maciel finally arrives, he discovers Cantinflas’ imitation after catching wind of a boat-race announcement that seems to herald the impostor’s triumph. Instead of unmasking him immediately, Maciel remains intrigued, choosing to observe and learn what Cantinflas wants. He keeps his true identity a secret and slips into the world of the impersonation, allowing the farce to unfold while he evaluates the situation. The suspense deepens as Lucy becomes increasingly devoted to the fake Maciel, and Cantinflas navigates the delicate balance between romance and business, hoping to secure a future for himself and the store.

The plot twists toward a bittersweet crescendo as Lucy falls for the pretend celebrity and suggests they run away together. Then, at a costume party held in Maciel’s honor, the real Maciel reveals himself to Cantinflas and explains that he decided to impersonate him after meeting Lucy, choosing to protect their budding romance rather than spoil it with the truth. He promises not to disclose the deception, but Lucy’s friend overhears the revelation, setting the stage for the fallout. The morning after, Lucy learns that the fake Maciel left the hotel without a word, while her confidant offers to take her to meet the real man. Cantinflas returns to the sporting goods store, where Don Gaspar, furious about the failed mission, reverts him to elevator duty and imposes a repayment of 100,000 pesos spent on the trip. Yet the story pivots again when Jorge Maciel himself appears at the store and agrees to sign the contract, not just as a business victory but as a gesture tied to the happiness of the man who pulled off the plan. In a final turn, Don Gaspar rewards Cantinflas by promoting him to general manager of the store, recognizing the ingenuity and perseverance that helped seal the deal. The film closes on a reconciliatory note as Lucy and Cantinflas reconnect, their romance tempered by the lessons of identity, ambition, and trust.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 09:21