Niní Marshall
Encyclopedia
Niní Marshall was a popular Argentine comedienne and actress.
to Pedro and María Ángela Traveso, a well-to-do family in Rosario
, in 1903. Losing her father at two months of age, she was raised by her mother, who affectionately called her "Niní." They relocated to the Buenos Aires neighborhood of Caballito
when Niní was in her teens, and she began a career in advertising
. She met Felipe Edelman, an engineer
, while in her senior year in secondary school, and they married in 1922, a few months after the birth of their only daughter, Ángeles. The happy occasion was followed by her mother's untimely death, however, a tragedy compounded by Felipe Edelman's decline into compulsive gambling
. Facing economic ruin, the couple were separated shortly afterwards and she remarried.
Traverso drew on her advertising experience and wit to secure work in La Novela Semanal, a well-known women's leisure magazine, in 1933. She also contributed to the radio variety show
, Sintonía, as an entertainment critic and publicist until 1934 and appeared in numerous other radio
programs. A multi-lingual and prolific writer, she began signing her varied articles as "Mitzi." Traveso debuted as a singer on Radio Municipal in 1936, and met her second husband, Marcelo Salcedo, at that time. She soon began appearing in Buenos Aires' vibrant theatre, where she developed two satirical
characters, Cándida y Catita; by then, she had adopted another pseudonym: "Niní Marshall."
These roles led to a prestigious Sensación Radiofónica award in 1937 for her work in Sintonía and to a film deal with Enrique Susini
's Lumiton Studios in 1938. Portraying her character "Catita" (an Italian Argentine
cook), opposite Mecha Ortiz
and Tito Lusiardo
(Catita's fastidious employers), in Mujeres que trabajan
(Working Women), the comedy's success led to an offer the following year to portray Catita's par, Cándida
(an antiquated Galician
maid), for which she also wrote the screenplay
.
Her thickly-accented characters and use of ethnic humor were not without their detractors, however. The conservative government in power in Argentina at the time ordered her banned from the radio in 1940 and, in 1943, newly installed dictator Gen. Pedro Ramírez
had her banned from the cinema, on the charge of "deforming the language," leading to her exile in Mexico
. A leading box office draw, she portrayed either Catita or Cándida in numerous more films, as well starring in other notable comedy roles such as Conrado Nalé Roxlo
's adaptation of Victorien Sardou
's Madame Sans Gêne, in 1945.
Following President Juan Perón
's 1955 overthrow, Marshall returned to Argentina and to her comedy stanby for her first post-exile role in Julio Saraceni
's Catita es una dama (Catita is a Lady, 1956). Continuing to perform in the radio and theatre, she went on to create numerous other comedy characters, among them: Cosme, Doña Caterina, Doña Pola, Mingo, the aristocratic Mónica de Picos Pardo Unzué Crostón, Niña Jovita, Pedantina, Sabelotodo and Ursilina (all satires of stereotypically Argentine types, and some male). Her work in the theatre helped make household names of young colleagues of hers such as Zully Moreno
, Enrique Pinti
, Antonio Gasalla
and Juan Carlos Altavista
, as well making successes of theatre pieces such as Coqueluche (with Thelma Biral
) and a 1972 monologue
, Y se nos fue redepente (Left Suddenly).
Her last film role starred opposite veteran comic Luis Sandrini
in ¡Qué linda es mi familia! (My Family's Beautiful!). The 1980 yarn on a quiet, elderly couple's brush with fame would be the ailing Sandrini's last, as well. She earned a Konex Award
in 1981, and retired from show business the following year. She penned her memoirs in 1985 and reemerged in the theatre briefly for a friend, dramatist Antonio Gasalla, in 1988. The acclaimed role earned her a recognition as an Illustrious Citizen of Buenos Aires in 1989. Given the award not by the mayor, but by newly-elected President Carlos Menem
, he apologized to her for the persecution she endured 40 years earlier. Argentine cinema standards Norma Aleandro
and Alfredo Alcón presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1992 and theatre revivals of her work were produced from 1992 to 1995 locally and in Paris
, including two works written in her honor.
The grande dame of Argentine humor to three generations, Niní Marshall died in Buenos Aires in 1996. She was 92.
Life and work
She was born Marina Esther Traveso in Buenos AiresBuenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
to Pedro and María Ángela Traveso, a well-to-do family in Rosario
Rosario
Rosario is the largest city in the province of Santa Fe, Argentina. It is located northwest of Buenos Aires, on the western shore of the Paraná River and has 1,159,004 residents as of the ....
, in 1903. Losing her father at two months of age, she was raised by her mother, who affectionately called her "Niní." They relocated to the Buenos Aires neighborhood of Caballito
Caballito, Buenos Aires
Caballito is a barrio of the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires. It is the only barrio in the administrative division Comuna 6....
when Niní was in her teens, and she began a career in advertising
Advertising
Advertising is a form of communication used to persuade an audience to take some action with respect to products, ideas, or services. Most commonly, the desired result is to drive consumer behavior with respect to a commercial offering, although political and ideological advertising is also common...
. She met Felipe Edelman, an engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
, while in her senior year in secondary school, and they married in 1922, a few months after the birth of their only daughter, Ángeles. The happy occasion was followed by her mother's untimely death, however, a tragedy compounded by Felipe Edelman's decline into compulsive gambling
Compulsive gambling
Problem gambling is an urge to continuously gamble despite harmful negative consequences or a desire to stop. Problem gambling often is defined by whether harm is experienced by the gambler or others, rather than by the gambler's behavior. Severe problem gambling may be diagnosed as clinical...
. Facing economic ruin, the couple were separated shortly afterwards and she remarried.
Traverso drew on her advertising experience and wit to secure work in La Novela Semanal, a well-known women's leisure magazine, in 1933. She also contributed to the radio variety show
Variety show
A variety show, also known as variety arts or variety entertainment, is an entertainment made up of a variety of acts, especially musical performances and sketch comedy, and normally introduced by a compère or host. Other types of acts include magic, animal and circus acts, acrobatics, juggling...
, Sintonía, as an entertainment critic and publicist until 1934 and appeared in numerous other radio
Radio in Argentina
Radio in Argentina is an important facet of the nation's media and culture. Radio, which was first broadcast in Argentina in 1920, has been widely enjoyed in Argentina since the 1930s. Radio broadcast stations totaled around 150 active AM stations, 1,150 FM stations, and 6 registered shortwave...
programs. A multi-lingual and prolific writer, she began signing her varied articles as "Mitzi." Traveso debuted as a singer on Radio Municipal in 1936, and met her second husband, Marcelo Salcedo, at that time. She soon began appearing in Buenos Aires' vibrant theatre, where she developed two satirical
Satire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
characters, Cándida y Catita; by then, she had adopted another pseudonym: "Niní Marshall."
These roles led to a prestigious Sensación Radiofónica award in 1937 for her work in Sintonía and to a film deal with Enrique Susini
Enrique Telémaco Susini
Enrique Telémaco Susini was an Argentine entrepreneur and media pioneer.In 1920, Susini led the effort for the first radio broadcast in Argentina, and subsequently established one of the earliest regular radio stations in the world...
's Lumiton Studios in 1938. Portraying her character "Catita" (an Italian Argentine
Italian Argentine
An Italian Argentine is a person born in Argentina of Italian ancestry. It is estimated up to 25 million Argentines have some degree of Italian descent...
cook), opposite Mecha Ortiz
Mecha Ortiz
Maria Mercedes Varela Nimo Dominguez Castro de Ortiz was a classic Argentine actress who appeared in film between 1937 and 1981. Beginning in 1954 film El Abuelo . Her last appearance on film was in 1981. She died in 1987 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, aged 87.-Family:Her husband, Julián Ortiz, was a...
and Tito Lusiardo
Tito Lusiardo
Tito Lusiardo was an iconic Argentine film actor and tango singer of the classic era.Lusiardo began acting for film in 1933 and made some 50 film appearances as an actor....
(Catita's fastidious employers), in Mujeres que trabajan
Mujeres que trabajan
Women Who Work is a 1938 Argentine comedy film drama directed by Manuel Romero. The film premiered in Buenos Aires and starred Tito Lusiardo.-Cast:*Mecha Ortiz... Ana María del Solar*Tito Lusiardo ... Lorenzo Ramos*Niní Marshall ... Catita...
(Working Women), the comedy's success led to an offer the following year to portray Catita's par, Cándida
Cándida
Cándida is a 1939 Argentine musical film drama directed by Luis Bayon Herrera. The tango film premiered in Buenos Aires and starred Juan Carlos Thorry.-Cast:* Niní Marshall ... Cándida* Augusto Codecá ... Jesús...
(an antiquated Galician
Spanish Argentine
Spanish settlement in Argentina, that is the arrival of Spanish emigrants in Argentina, took place firstly in the period before Argentina's independence from Spain, and again in large numbers during the late 19th and early 20th centuries...
maid), for which she also wrote the screenplay
Screenplay
A screenplay or script is a written work that is made especially for a film or television program. Screenplays can be original works or adaptations from existing pieces of writing. In them, the movement, actions, expression, and dialogues of the characters are also narrated...
.
Her thickly-accented characters and use of ethnic humor were not without their detractors, however. The conservative government in power in Argentina at the time ordered her banned from the radio in 1940 and, in 1943, newly installed dictator Gen. Pedro Ramírez
Pedro Pablo Ramírez
General Pedro Pablo Ramírez was de facto President of Argentina from June 7, 1943 to February 24, 1944. He was the founder and leader of the Guardia Nacional, Argentina's Fascist militia....
had her banned from the cinema, on the charge of "deforming the language," leading to her exile in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. A leading box office draw, she portrayed either Catita or Cándida in numerous more films, as well starring in other notable comedy roles such as Conrado Nalé Roxlo
Conrado Nalé Roxlo
Conrado Nalé Roxlo was an Argentine writer, journalist and humorist, born and died in Buenos Aires. He was author of poetry, plays, film scripts and pastiches in prose, and also the director of two humor magazines: Don Goyo and Esculapión.In 1945 he won the National Prize of Theatre for his play...
's adaptation of Victorien Sardou
Victorien Sardou
Victorien Sardou was a French dramatist. He is best remembered today for his development, along with Eugène Scribe, of the well-made play...
's Madame Sans Gêne, in 1945.
Following President Juan Perón
Juan Perón
Juan Domingo Perón was an Argentine military officer, and politician. Perón was three times elected as President of Argentina though he only managed to serve one full term, after serving in several government positions, including the Secretary of Labor and the Vice Presidency...
's 1955 overthrow, Marshall returned to Argentina and to her comedy stanby for her first post-exile role in Julio Saraceni
Julio Saraceni
Julio Saraceni was a prolific Argentine film director whose career in the Cinema of Argentina as a movie director spanned six decades....
's Catita es una dama (Catita is a Lady, 1956). Continuing to perform in the radio and theatre, she went on to create numerous other comedy characters, among them: Cosme, Doña Caterina, Doña Pola, Mingo, the aristocratic Mónica de Picos Pardo Unzué Crostón, Niña Jovita, Pedantina, Sabelotodo and Ursilina (all satires of stereotypically Argentine types, and some male). Her work in the theatre helped make household names of young colleagues of hers such as Zully Moreno
Zully Moreno
Zully Moreno born Zulema Esther González Borbón was a classic Argentine actress and sex symbol of the 1940s and 1950s.She was married to director Luis César Amadori.-Filmography:...
, Enrique Pinti
Enrique Pinti
Enrique Pinti is a famous Argentine political humorist and actor.As a humorist, he performs stand-up shows with long monologues on Argentine politics and history, speaking at an extremely fast pace and resorting to a mix of common swearwords and elaborate insults to qualify notorious examples of...
, Antonio Gasalla
Antonio Gasalla
Antonio Gasalla is a well-known Argentine actor, comedian, and theatre director.-Life and work:Antonio Gasalla was born in Ramos Mejía, a western suburb of Buenos Aires, in 1941...
and Juan Carlos Altavista
Juan Carlos Altavista
Juan Carlos Altavista was an Argentine actor and comedian.-Life:Juan Carlos Altavista begun his career at Teatro Infantil Labarden, in Buenos Aires. There attended future actress as Julia Sandoval and Beba Bidart...
, as well making successes of theatre pieces such as Coqueluche (with Thelma Biral
Thelma Biral
Thelma Biral is an Argentine actress prominent in cinema, television and theatre.-Life and work:Thelma Biral was born in Buenos Aires to Otello and Sira Biral, recently-arrived Italian immigrants from the Veneto Region. The family relocated to Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1945, and Biral later enrolled...
) and a 1972 monologue
Monologue
In theatre, a monologue is a speech presented by a single character, most often to express their thoughts aloud, though sometimes also to directly address another character or the audience. Monologues are common across the range of dramatic media...
, Y se nos fue redepente (Left Suddenly).
Her last film role starred opposite veteran comic Luis Sandrini
Luis Sandrini
Luis Sandrini was a prolific Argentine comic film actor and film producer. He has made over 80 appearances in film between 1933 and 1980....
in ¡Qué linda es mi familia! (My Family's Beautiful!). The 1980 yarn on a quiet, elderly couple's brush with fame would be the ailing Sandrini's last, as well. She earned a Konex Award
Konex Award
Konex Foundation awards, or simple Konex awards are cultural awards from the Konex Foundation to Argentine cultural personalities.Created in 1980, where conceived as a way to reward the Argentine personalities and institutions of different fields, as well as to stimulate the beginners.Even though...
in 1981, and retired from show business the following year. She penned her memoirs in 1985 and reemerged in the theatre briefly for a friend, dramatist Antonio Gasalla, in 1988. The acclaimed role earned her a recognition as an Illustrious Citizen of Buenos Aires in 1989. Given the award not by the mayor, but by newly-elected President Carlos Menem
Carlos Menem
Carlos Saúl Menem is an Argentine politician who was President of Argentina from 1989 to 1999. He is currently an Argentine National Senator for La Rioja Province.-Early life:...
, he apologized to her for the persecution she endured 40 years earlier. Argentine cinema standards Norma Aleandro
Norma Aleandro
Norma Aleandro Robledo is an Argentine actress and screenwriter, born in Buenos Aires to Pedro Aleandro and María Luisa Robledo, both actors. Her sister, María Vaner, was a famous actress in Argentina.- Life and career :...
and Alfredo Alcón presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1992 and theatre revivals of her work were produced from 1992 to 1995 locally and in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, including two works written in her honor.
The grande dame of Argentine humor to three generations, Niní Marshall died in Buenos Aires in 1996. She was 92.