Overview

Mateo Melgarejo is a notary public and scribe for the illiterate people of Santo Domingo, a neighborhood north of Mexico City's Zócalo. A squatter friend asks for his help in negotiating with the land census bureau to regularize a land title. After a great deal of frustration with the government bureaucracy, he writes a letter to the cabinet minister, earning an audience with him. The minister hires Melgarejo to reform the bureau, and the appointee proceeds to lecture the officials on their duties in a democratic society. At the end, he gives up the post, returning to Santo Domingo to help its poor residents.

Genres

Cast

Cantinflas

Mateo Melgarejo 'Mateíto'

Chela Castro

Vicky

Lucía Méndez

Barbara

Ángel Garasa

Avelino Romero 'Romeritos'

Manolita Saval

Estrellita

Delia Peña Orta

María

Alonso Castaño

Don Nachito

Miguel Manzano

Don Antonio, señor ministro

Daniel Herrera

Huésped de Yucatán

Tamara Garina

Tamarita

Alejandra Meyer

Julia Ramírez, secretaria del licenciado

Pedro de Aguillón

Sr. Alcalino Buenrostro