The Mayor of Zalamea (1954 film)
1954 film by José Gutiérrez Maesso
The Mayor of Zalamea (Spanish:El alcalde de Zalamea) is a 1954 Spanish historical drama film directed by José Gutiérrez Maesso and starring Manuel Luna, Alfredo Mayo and Isabel de Pomés. The film is an adaptation of the Golden Age play The Mayor of Zalamea by Pedro Calderón de la Barca.
This version of the play is remembered for Rey's "solemn" interpretation of Felipe II. According to José Lera, quoting the director himself, "Maesso, as director, had to fight "against the bombast, the flawed acting, the poor quality of the dialogue, the bad setting," although he has managed to give a natural aspect to the drama"
Plot
A company of soldiers under the command of Captain Álvaro de Ataide (Alfredo Mayo) arrives in the town of Zalamea de la Serena, in Badajoz, because of the war in Portugal. The captain of noble descent is staying in the house of a rich farmer, Pedro Crespo (Manuel Luna), mayor of the town, whose daughter Isabel (Isabel de Pomés) Don Álvaro seduces. Pedro Crespo tries to remedy the situation and for Don Álvaro to marry Isabel, but Don Álvaro rejects her for not being of the nobility. This contempt wounds the honor of Pedro's entire family. Even without having jurisdiction over the soldier, Pedro Crespo orders him to be arrested and has Don Álvaro executed by hanging him. Finally King Don Felipe II (Fernando Rey), reviews the mayor's decision, ratifies it and appoints Pedro Crespo perpetual mayor of Zalamea.
Cast
Manuel Luna as Pedro Crespo
Alfredo Mayo as Don Álvaro
Isabel de Pomés as Isabel
José Marco Davó as Don Lope de Figueroa
Alberto Bové as Rebolledo
Mario Berriatúa as Juan
Juanita Azores as Chispa
María Fernanda D'Ocón as Inés
José Orjas as Don Mendo
Fernando Rey as El Rey
Casimiro Hurtado
José Prada
Francisco Bernal
Arturo Marín
Juan Vázquez
Manuel Guitián
Mariano Alcón
Luis Torrecilla
Mario Guerrero
References
Bibliography
Mira, Alberto. The A to Z of Spanish Cinema.
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Attribution, date and provenance are strongest when supported by the original work, a catalogue record and documented transmission. The source revision retrieved here is dated Jun 11, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q5823789. 1 of 1 selected statements include explicit references; 0 carry qualifiers and 0 use preferred rank. The first chronological checks are 1954.
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