Subgénero: Melodrama
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The handkerchief of the wandering lady (El pañuelo de la dama errante)
Benigno is a poor man that has hardly any money to eat. He lives humbly with his daughter, Lolita, and her boyfriend, Timoteo. Two strangers arrive asking for Lolita, coming in representation of Countess Amaranta. Everyone’s life is about to change: Lolita is the heir to a noble patrimony. THEMES: Family Secrets, Inheritance, Poverty, Social…
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The weaker sex has gone to the gym (El sexo débil ha hecho gimnasia)
This story, with sense of humor, recounts the integration of women into civil society, first, in the first half of the 19th century, then, in the second half of the 20th century. The love affairs and problems of an aunt and her nieces, belonging to the middle-class in 1846, happen again a hundred years later…
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It’s dangerous to lean out (Es peligroso asomarse al exterior)
A young woman decides to accept the promise of marriage of three suitors, since the conjunction of the three would form the perfect gentleman ideal for the girl. The problem is that the trio is bound by kinship ties. When discovering the truth, the young woman decides to renounce the love of her three pretenders…
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Occidental Vestal (La vestal de occidente)
This story is about Queen Elizabeth I of England and her complicated and tempestuous relations with Robert Devereux, II Earl of Essex. THEMES: Love, Treason, Jealousy, Monarchy, Social Relations, Society GENRE: Drama, Melodrama, Historical RELEVANT FACTS: Benavente won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1922. He treated all the theatrical genres and developed a broad…
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Interlocked Lives (Vidas cruzadas)
Eugenia Castrogeriz, burdened by the debts of her brother, asks her suitor for help. In exchange of his help, Enrique proposes to her. This marriage proposal will be the beginning of Eugenia’s misfortune. THEMES: Love, Marriage, Money, Siblings, Family GENRE: Drama, Melodrama, Family Melodrama RELEVANT FACTS: The story was adapted to a film…
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Embittered (…Y amargaba)
The story is centered on the career of a young playwright who has already achieved some success. The plot thickens when suspicion and slander arise from the admiration his mother-in-law has toward him. THEMES: Love, Art, Youth, Family, Work, Love Triangle GENRE: Drama, Melodrama RELEVANT FACTS: In 1963 it was adapted for TV program “Primera fila”, directed…
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Pepa Doncel
The story relates Felisa Rodriguez de Medina’s life, known artistically as Pepa Doncel. After getting married with Mr. Cifuentes, she gains certain prestige among the small local bourgeoisie. After her husband’s death, she insists on marrying her daughter Genoveva, in order to be accepted again by the local bourgeoisie. But the suitor, a well-positioned man…
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Autumn Roses (Rosas de otoño)
This family melodrama has in its center the married life of two high class couples. Isabel is on her second marriage with Gonzalo, owner of an important company and a man who lives a double life. Most of the time, Isabel is pitied by her friends for the numerous affronts of her husband that she…
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The lady of the house (Señora ama)
Dominica and Feliciano are a young married couple who lives in the countryside where his family owns almost all the land. Their everyday life is in the midst of all rumors throughout the town, as Feliciano has already had several illegitimate children. Feliciano is continuously unfaithful, even with very close people. Different plots with love…
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Stronger Than Love (Más fuerte que el amor)
Carmen, the main character of the story, takes care of Carlos, who is ill but loves her and seeks solace from his pain. The Duchess of Talavera, Carlos’ mother, is the person who puts Carmen in this position, after begging her to take care of her son. Carlos is not just ill but also jealous;…
