AllMovie

Filmed in Spain sometime in the late 1930s, Maria De La "O" was brought to American shores by Columbia Pictures in 1942. Onetime Hollywood favorite Antonio Moreno stars as an American artist who returns to Spain after a long absence. Here he makes the acquaintance of fiery gypsy dancing girl Carmen Amaya, who turns out to be his own daughter. "Buying" Amaya from her gypsy tribe, he brings her back to the U.S. in hopes of a reconciliation. Eventually, Moreno realizes that the girl will be happier with her "own kind." The story is for the birds, but the dance numbers are well handled.