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La Perla Starrring Cal Poly Alumni Pedro Armendáriz
As part of a collaboration that has been years in the making, the SLO Latino Outreach Council and the Cal Poly Office of University Diversity and Inclusion are excited to be co-sponsoring the showing of an iconic Mexican American film. The film will be shown on May 1st, 2022 at 3pm at the Fremont Theater.
La Perla is a Mexican-American film based on John Steinbeck’s classic novel, The Pearl. The screenplay for the film was co-written by John Steinbeck and renown Mexican director, Emilio Fernández. The film stars Cal Poly alum, Pedro Armendáriz, as a poor fisherman who discovers a perfect pearl. This pearl subsequently transforms his and his family’s lives.
Pedro Armendáriz was a famous Mexican-American actor born in Mexico City in 1912. He attended Cal Poly from September 1928 to May 1932. During his time at Cal Poly, he studied mechanical engineering and was the president of the Press Club. Notably, he was an active member of the Campus Playshop, and performed in student theater productions. Following his graduation, he returned to Mexico. After being discovered by a famous Mexican director while working as a tour guide and journalist, he launched his career as an actor. He starred in iconic films from Mexico’s Golden Age of Cinema, such as Flor Silvestre, María Candelaria, and La Perla. He worked alongside actors like Dolores del Río, María Felix, and John Wayne. He died in 1963.
After the film is shown, Pedro Armendáriz will receive a posthumous award. A reception will follow with a brief question and answer session with the Steinbeck Center.
