That Night in Rio (1941)

A variety theater troupe from the U.S. is performing in Rio de Janeiro. The main actor does an impression of a local magnate, of whom he is a lookalike. Said magnate takes a loss at an investment he made; the problem is that he used money from his bank in the investment, and now he must get a loan to restore the money to the bank before the current account holders find out about it. While he is away, his two assistants must conceal his absence during a party and to that effect they hire the abovementioned American actor. The latter sees in it an opportunity to make some money and also to flirt with the magnate's wife. Meanwhile, the actor's jealous girlfriend, who happens to be Brazilian, manages to get invited to the party.

This is a several-times filmed play about lookalikes and the confusion they entail. The plot explores the progressive complexity of situations engendered by mistaken identities. All that is not without interest or entertainment value. The musical numbers are just so-so; they are poorly placed in the film, too, sometimes following one another without interruption, which gets a little monotonous.

Rating: 40