Eloísa está debajo de un almendro

This fast-paced, zany classic of 1940s Spanish cinema deals with two eccentric families and the dark secret that connects them. The brisk pacing, the snappy dialog, and the use of overlapping speeches will remind some viewers of HIS GIRL FRIDAY, though the characters here are more bizarre. As a sendup of mystery thrillers -- with its creepy mansions, strange-acting manservants and outlandish relatives -- ELOÍSA may also remind English-language film buffs of ARSENIC AND OLD LACE and perhaps even THE OLD DARK HOUSE.

The only current video release of this film is in the original Spanish, without subtitles. So it remains unknown to English-speaking audiences. It is doubtful, in any case, that subtitles could capture the rapid-fire dialog without losing a great deal of the script's wit.