AMIGO MIO

Year Published: 1960

Format: 16mm

Description: Released in 1960, this Spanish language film "Amigo Mio" stars actor Leo Carrillo and promotes the Social Security program to farm workers. The government film catalog described it as "A dramatic story which portrays what Social Security means to a farm worker and his family, and pinpoints what the worker must do to protect his rights." The film was produced and directed by Rex Fleming on behalf of the Department of Health Education and Welfare, and the Social Security Administration. Synopsis: Informational film about social security cards aimed towards the Latino / Hispanic audience educating people about Social Security, the Social Security card, and the importance of the Social Security program. (2:00) Leo Carrillo addresses his "Raza" (my people / my race) and asks them to pay attention and take note of all the uses of a Social Security card. (2:07) starts off with a story of the Ramos Family -- an average Hispanic / Latin household. (3:14) Father gets home from work in the fields, and talks with son about school work. He asks him to go play baseball with friends while mother makes dinner. (4:45) Son returns home finds his family surrounded around his father who has taken ill and, as it turns out, just passed away. (5:51) family members (aunt and uncle) visit Social Security Administration office to gain government assistance for the family (7:11) Narrator explains the physical aspects and details of a security card (7:49) Narrator explains how government assistance through social security works (13:43) Agency official visits with the Ramos family. He talks to the uncle (Señor Delgado), stating that they have been denied Social Security assistance. The official explains that the father had not worked in the past 3 years (according to Social Security records), so he is not eligible. Delgado swears he has seen the father get up daily to work and insists he has worked until his untimely death. The official offers to visit the father's most recent workplaces so as to document information or proof of work history. (00:16:50) The Aunt (Señora Delgado) asks the official to come down to their home and explain the father’s case and the importance of social security. (It's not clear if the family ever gets the death benefits.) (18:45:22) Narrator ends the story with "This is the end of our story but not the end of our little friend, my friend (Amigo Mio) Social Security". THE END Leo Carrillo, who is introduced in the film as the "Friend of the Poor", was an actor best known for playing Pancho in the popular television series The Cisco Kid (1950–1956). He was also well known as a vaudevillian, political cartoonist, and conservationist who served on the California Beach and Parks commission for 18 years

Complete Record: