La Llorona (1933)

A doctor (Ramon Pereda) is skeptical of the legend of La Llorona: a woman (Adriana Lamar) who killed her child in revenge against her lover (Pereda in a dual role) and father of her son for abandoning her. But when the doctor's son turns four years old, mysterious and unexplained incidents makes him fear for the life of his child. Directed by Ramon Peon, this was the first horror film with sound made in Mexico. While the movie tends to be stagnant, it is of curiosity to anyone interested in the history of the horror film especially Mexican horror. It's rather crude film making but it its own way, it's as compelling as its Hollywood counterparts: Whale's FRANKENSTEIN and Browning's DRACULA, both 1931. Unfortunately, no 35 millimeter print exists (presumed to be lost) so a restored 16 millimeter transfer is the best that's currently available. The legend of La Llorona continues to fascinate film makers, most recently with THE CURSE OF LA LLORONA (2019). With Virginia Zuri, Carlos Orellana, Alberto Marti and Maria Luisa Zea.