This is Chabelo and Cantinflas’ most famous film together after the controversial slapstick

The list of movies in which Xavier Lopez, better known as Chabelo he played a tall guy, that’s a very long time. His filmography is recognized as the program that made him enjoy great fame in Mexican television, ‘In the family with Chabelo‘, a production that was broadcast on open television every Sunday and was part of the prime time programming of millions of Mexicans. However, and although this was what immortalized his career, so did some anecdotes that deprived his prestige talent, such as the alleged slap he gave Cantinflas in a film.

In the middle of the show, for many years it was speculated that Chabelo had slapped Cantinflas hard, a blow that almost cost him his career and excluded him from the most relevant productions of Mexican cinema of his time. Although, said event had actually been taken as a myth, the reality is that, after that, Xavier Lopez and Mario Moreno are back together after ‘El Extra’ (1962), which is currently available for purchase on YouTube, but not with that physical contact involved.

At that time, when “El Extra” was recorded, Cantinflas and Chabelo already knew each other, they had had the opportunity to work on other productions, each on their own, they already had film appearances. As for the so-called “friend of all the kids,” he regularly played a boy of exaggerated stature, wearing shorts, and having a high-pitched, unmistakable tone of voice.

It wasn’t until 1962 that Chabelo had the opportunity to star in a scene with legendary actor Mario Moreno, Cantinflas. An opportunity that would present itself with the release of “El Extra”, which would also be one of the most memorable films of Mexican cinema in the comedy genre of the time and would be a landmark in the careers of both stars, also in that would arise the mythical incident of the slap.

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Chabelo’s alleged slap of Cantinflas is an urban legend that has been debunked by both actors on several occasions. Despite this, the anecdote continues to be cited as one of the curiosities of the history of cinema and entertainment in Mexico, and is that, in reality, it is considered a myth, since it was not a complete act of violence, but rather a a matter of improvisation on the recording set, but nothing premeditated.

In fact, the scene in question was filmed during the production of the film ‘El Extra’, released in 1962 and starring Cantinflas and Alma Delia Fuentes. In it, Chabelo played a minor role as a modest film worker who plays various roles as an extra. This film, although old, can be viewed on YouTube by purchase.

This is how Chabelo’s alleged slap of Cantinflas happened: it was not personal

during a scene where Chabelo and Cantinflas pat each otherseemingly unscripted, the former slapped him harder than expected, although Cantinflas may have felt the blow, he continued with the scene like a pro and hid any discomfort he might have felt, even if it implied discontent on the part of the actor .

On a few occasions, Chabelo confessed that during filming the director had asked him not to touch Cantinflas. However, Cantinflas stepped in for Chabelo to do so, which led to the actor interpreting the instructions to the letter.

It’s all right, just don’t touch Mr. Mario,” the director allegedly said.

Given the encouragement while they were recording, Cantinflas would have responded positively to the production, to allow everything to happen as it should:

No, let me… let me touch me…”.

So, Chabelo’s slap at Cantinflas would have happened, but not as a direct attack on the actor. The myth is that Chabelo didn’t do it with the aim of competing with his partner, but to improvise the scene that has remained marked in his memory as part of Mexican cinema.

Chabelo passed away on March 25, 2023, his family confirmed through social networks. Meanwhile, Mexican cinema legend Cantinflas passed away on April 20, 1993, both immortalized through their films.