Home Movie In Mexico 1945-1946

I have been re-reading Malc's Dark as the Grave wherein my Friend is Laid and I have been digging out images, video and music to illustrate references in the book.

A theme which runs through the Dark as the Grave wherein my Friend is Laid and La Mordida is Malc's contempt for American tourists who invaded Mexico after the WW2.

However, there is a certain irony in Malc's inferred criticism of US tourism in his work as he and Margerie behaved in many ways like the average tourist in their sight seeing.

There is an obvious tension in any writer visiting a country and using the visit as material for a novel. Malc was accused of adding too much "local colour" to Under The Volcano by one of Cape's readers before publication of the novel. It is interesting to note in the edition of La Mordida which has been published that Lowry's notes from a tourist guide to Mexico are included.

I have posted the above home movie from YouTube which gives a feel for US tourism in Mexico in the late 40's.