Sube y baja

Don Gaspar, owner of a prestigious sporting goods store, spots Cantinflas playing football and decides to hire him as a salesman. Cantinflas’ lack of business savvy immediately shows as he creates small chaotic incidents in the shop. Gaspar keeps him around, convinced there is hidden value to be tapped.

Cantinflas’ antics lead to several mishaps and distrust among prospective customers. The disasters threaten the store’s reputation, yet Gaspar refuses to fire him, hoping his charm might pay off. The situation tests Gaspar’s faith in Cantinflas’ potential usefulness.

After insulting Don Gaspar's wife, Cantinflas is degraded to elevator operator and given a mission to Acapulco to lure Jorge Maciel into an advertising contract. The demotion marks a shift, turning a mistake into a high-stakes assignment. Cantinflas accepts, hoping the trip will prove his worth.

Cantinflas travels to Acapulco with his compadre and checks into a hotel, where he is assigned suite No. 7 as a courtesy. He is mistaken by Lucy for Jorge Maciel, the world-famous athlete she fancies. He chooses to go along with the misidentification to pursue his mission.

Lucy recognizes Cantinflas (or at least believes he is Maciel) and feels a growing attraction. Cantinflas acknowledges their mutual interest but doubles down on pretending to be Maciel. He plans to use the deception to secure the advertising contract.

Jorge Maciel himself arrives at the hotel and learns of Cantinflas’ impersonation by reading an announcement about a competition. Rather than exposing Cantinflas immediately, he chooses to observe and learn what the impostor wants. He stays under a false name, keeping his presence a secret.

To highlight the ‘presence’ of Maciel, the hotel sets up several sports events in which Cantinflas participates and wins all the competitions. The victories boost Cantinflas’s standing with Lucy and the hotel crowd, albeit through a ruse. The faux Maciel becomes the center of attention.

The real Maciel, accompanied by a companion, observes Cantinflas and contemplates unmasking him. He chooses not to reveal the truth yet, wanting to understand Cantinflas’s motives and the effect on Lucy. The dynamic remains a careful game of appearances and intentions.

Lucy openly falls in love with the impersonated Maciel and even suggests they run away together. Cantinflas grapples with the idea of betraying her by revealing the truth. He continues the impersonation, hoping the contract will secure their happiness.

At a costume party honoring Maciel, the real athlete meets Cantinflas and demands an explanation. Cantinflas spills the plan, and Maciel forgives him for the deception. Lucy’s friend overhears the conversation and realizes what has happened.

Lucy learns the truth that Cantinflas pretended to be Maciel, and she is outraged when she discovers the deception. Cantinflas returns to the sporting goods store, and Don Gaspar is furious about the failed mission. The morning after the party marks the cooling of the romance and a reassessment of Cantinflas’s role.

Jorge Maciel appears at the store and agrees to sign the contract, but only in return for Cantinflas’s happiness. Don Gaspar, recognizing Cantinflas’s persistence, appoints him general manager as a reward for securing the deal. The negotiations seal Cantinflas’s new status and justify the risk taken.

With the contract signed and Cantinflas elevated to general manager, he reconnects with Lucy and they begin to reconcile. The film closes on a note of earned happiness, as Cantinflas navigates his new role and Lucy’s trust is gradually restored. The story ends with a fresh beginning for both.