By Entertainer David de Alba*

  When I see the name René de Carlo I immediately think "International Dancing Star".   I visualize beautiful costumes and many lovely wigs that I had the pleasure of styling for him during my run at Finocchio's in San Francisco.   I remember the great transformation that took place in his dressing room.   I also recall with nostalgia that he would affectionately call me "Chula" (pretty girl) or "Tómbola" (one of my signature songs at the Club).   It is with great pleasure that I offer to my Cyberspace audience, a brief insight into this great talent.   As I often announced from the Finocchio Club stage, "I now present to you the International Dancing Star, Mr. René de Carlo!"   (NOTE: To accomodate the artist, the following interview is a literal translation from Spanish to English by David de Alba.)

David:  René dear, where were you born and where did you spend most of your youth?

René:  I was born and raised in Mexico City.

David:  Do you remember your first paid dancing performance?

René:  Yes, it was in "La Legión de Madrugadores" (The Legion of Early Risers) which was a program for teenagers on XEQ Radio.

David:  As a young child were you encouraged by your family to take classic dancing lessons, or was it your own idea?

René:  Actually my family influenced me but it was due to my own enthusiasm when I was 10 years old.

David:  How did you hear about Finocchio's?   Where were you living at the time, and did you have to audition to get the job?

René:  I first heard about Finocchio's when I was performing in Mexicali in a place called "Caliente Tur Club".   I went to San Francisco to negotiate a contract with a night spot called "Sinaloa Club".   I was touring in 1958, and went to see the female impersonator show at Finocchio's.

In 1963, after touring all those years, I returned to the Sinaloa Club where I heard about an opening for an Impersonator at Finocchio's.   They liked my audition and I started in June of 1964 but actually signed my contract in November.   At that time we belonged to the AGVA Union.

David:  Do you keep in your heart any happy or funny memories from your time at Finocchio's that you could share with us?

René:  One funny anecdote I remember is in one of the production numbers, Harem Slave Girls, a comedian by the name of Elton Paris would always step on the hem of my dress.   Maybe he did it to tease me, but it just made me laugh!   I have an infinite number of pleasant anecdotes from my time there.

David:  The beautiful costumes that you wore on stage . . . who designed them for you?

René:  Some were done by Julio Chavés, a famous wardrobe designer of Stars in Mexico.   He designed many outfits for María Victoria, a famous singer in our country.   Some of my other costumes were designed for me in San Francisco.

David:  When your contract was not renewed after so many years working in the same place, was it a great shock for you or were you prepared for it?

René:  Yes, it did feel strange, but it wasn't too hard on me because I was already older and was ready to leave the path open to a younger performer.

David:  What are you doing nowadays and where are you living now?

René:  I am enjoying my retirement because I had worked for many years.   I own a home in Mexico City where I live.   From time to time I put on a show with my friends at private parties just to have fun.

David:  Would you consider making an occasional guest appearance in the wonderful revue that our dear friend and co-worker from Finocchio's, Marlo Adame directs?

René:  For sure I would love to participate [in Marlo's revue] and re-live old times, but it would have to be a very special routine, because today's young audience only wants to see youth on the stage.

David:  Do you plan to return to the U.S.A. one of these days to visit family members and friends that are still here?

René:  Yes, I do go quite often to Mayfield, Texas.   That is my place of residence in the U.S.A., where my brother lives.

David:  Do you have a hobby or other interest that occupies your time nowadays?

René:  For sure I could call it a hobby, because I dedicate my free time for fun to visit museums, parks, and other places of interest right here [in Mexico].

David:  Would you like to write an autobiography as many of our artist friends are doing?

René:  Yes, I would like to, although I don't think I have the ability for it.

David:  If you could re-live a little piece of your long theatrical past that would bring you fond memories, what would that be?

René:  I would love to re-live those moments in which we were together, so many Latin-American co-workers, with whom I spent such marvelous times!