And Now, Miguel
(1953)

Country: USA

Genre: Documentary

Synopsis

Miguel Chavez, 12 years old, has dreamed of visiting the Sangre de Cristo Mountains since he was very little. This summer, he is going to work hard and pray, until his father and grandfather realise that he is ready to take the trip with the men. His prayers are granted when his older brother is drafted, and his father, needing an extra hand, grudgingly allows Miguel to accompany them.

Notes

• Director Joseph Krumgold, who had worked with the Office of War Information during World War II, made this documentary for the US government to record the way of life of the Hispanic shepherds of New Mexico. Krumgold and his wife lived with the Chavez family in Los Cordovas, New Mexico for several months throughout the production of this film.
• "And Now, Miguel" was so well received that the Thomas Y. Crowell publishing company asked Krumgold to write a children's book based on the film. The book, published in 1953, won Krumgold the prestigious Newbery Medal for excellence in American children's literature.
• In 1966 Universal Pictures made a feature version of the book starring Pat Cardi in the lead role of Miguel. This film was also entitled And Now Miguel (1966).