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All the people in Vallarta were very excited to hear about the filming of the movie “La Noche de la Iguana” on Mismaloya Beach. It was all over the news! We couldn’t believe famous movie stars such as Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton would visit Puerto Vallarta soon. We knew Taylor and Burton’s torrid romance was the subject of tabloid gossip. Everybody in Vallarta talked about the famous couple and they were the center of every conversation. Many people wondered whether “she was as pretty as she was on the big screen”, “would she really be a short or tall person” or “were her eyes violet”, etc. People also wondered about Burton. We were all anxious to catch a glimpse of the famous couple.
 Upon their arrival we learned they had rented a beautiful home named La Kimberly, which was the property of Mr. Wilson many locals were staffed. Everything was set for the arrival. On the day they were to arrive, people were waiting out in the streets hoping to have the opportunity to see them. Everyone kept trying to guess which street would be the entrance to town for the famous people. Would it be the uphill street or the main avenue? People were going crazy! It was a day to be remembered. The whole town poured its attention on the arrival of the famous couple.
The cast of the movie had famous names such as Richard Burton, Ava Gardner, Deborah Kerr, Sue Lyon, and others. The movie director was John Huston, who rented a house from Don Cuco Gutierrez. Gabriel Figueroa, an American with Mexicans roots, was the photographer. The first scenes were filmed on Mismaloya Beach.
Mismaloya Village was only accessible by boat, marking the shooting very expensive. In order to build the movie set, a local construction company managed by Engineer Guillermo Wulff, was called to help transporting their costly equipment. A small pier was built to disembark goods, movie set material, equipment. We heard a lot of high-priced gear was ruined by saltwater when disembarking. It was an odyssey!!
The film company built a hotel with administrative offices, ten rooms, one hundred bungalows, a restaurant and chapel. The restaurant and chapel were part of the movie set. The façade and interior designing were Mexican-rustic colonial architecture. The whole village was converted into a resort. Some of the casitas were enclaved on the cliffs, and some others scattered on the mountain. Is was an incredible and wonderful view! Engineer Wulff used all his creativity on the project. Martin Covarrubias, a local hardware business owner, did all the plumbing. A local electrician was also called in.
There was a rumor that in love Liz awaited him on board a luxury yacht anchored at the bay. I was lucky to get to see the beautiful Ms. Taylor in person. My daughter, Luz, owned and was the designer of a local Mexican clothing store. She made part of the wardrobe for the movie stars, and was in contact with the whole cast.
 A few locals were for extras in the movie. Some scenes were filmed in downtown Puerto Vallarta. Among the locals cast were Berenice Starr, Francisca Treamer, Panchita and the well-known Dorotea. I would watch movie people coming and going from my bedroom terrace. People said Las Margaritas and EL Oceano Bar were the gathering place for the movie stars. You can imagine the two bars were crowded every single night during filming.
Liz and Richard fell in love with Puerto Vallarta. They purchased the home they had rented. We hope Vallarta will be an unforgettable memory of the time they stayed here. Their divorces were finalized in this town. Liz had been married to Eddie Fisher and Richard to Sybil.
Liz and Richard were married in Vallarta during the times they spent in this town, they were well known for their high contributions to our community and for caring. They helped Vallarta sponsoring many social and charitable functions.
The first Christmas Mr. Burton and Ms. Taylor spent in Vallarta; they contributed to a local charity committee to give Christmas presents to needy children.
With the Burtons’ help, Seven Arts.Film Company donated $12,500.00 pesos (twelve thousand five hundred pesos) to the City, to benefit Kindergarten School Emiliano Zapata. Mr. Clarence Aurist, Production Manager, presented the check personally to Mayor Carlos Arreola Lima.
Liz and Richard Burton helped promote Puerto Vallarta worldwide. I must mention that local Engineer Guillermo Wulff was the negotiator who attained permits from the President of the Mexican Republic, Attorney, Adolfo Lopez Mateos, and other Government officials, to develop a major investment in Mismaloya Beach. The names of famous movies stars were among the venture capitalists.
Catalina Montes de Oca Aguilar
Autobiografia de Doña Catalina Montes de Oca Aguilar
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Note: The segments from the book "Puerto Vallarta en mis Recuerdos" -both versions- are published in PVMirror.com with the express authorization of Sra. Yolanda Contreras de Garduño, co-author of the work and owner of the copyrights thereto. Any reproduction thereof, partial or total, in any medium is prohibited.
Note: Distinguished reader, if you know of any story, anecdote, biography or event, or if you have any photographs that you feel should be presented to the world through this section, or if you know someone we should interview to get more information on the history of Vallarta, please feel free to contact us at: editor@pvmirror.com
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