Wallace Downey | |
|---|---|
 Wallace Downey directing Carmen Miranda in Alô, Alô Brasil | |
| Born | 14 May 1902 |
| Died | 29 January 1978 New York City, New York, United States |
| Occupation(s) | Director, Producer |
Wallace Downey (New York City, May 14, 1902 – New York City, January 29, 1978) was an American film producer and director.
In 1928 Wallace Downey, an executive of Columbia Records, was sent to South America to install a Brazilian branch for his company. He quickly realized Brazil was an entertainment hot bed for potential markets in records and films.[1]
In 1931 Downey produced and directed, Coisas Nossas, the first successful Brazilian film with sound. His 1935 film, Hello, Hello Brazil!, first introduced radio singer and actress Carmen Miranda to a larger audience paving the way to her international fame at 20th Century Fox in the United States.
Downey later founded his own production company, Waldow S.A., in a partnership with Cinédia, producing musical films.[2]
In 1938 Downey disbanded Waldow S.A., using the resources to create a new production company, Sonofilms.[1]
- ^ a b Castro, Ruy in "Carmen - Uma Biografia" - Companhia das Letras, 2005
- ^ Shaw, Lisa (May 2014). Brazilian National Cinema. ISBN 9781134702107.