Wallace Downey

Wallace Downey (Staten Island, May 14, 1902 – New York City, January 29, 1978) was an American film producer and director.

Wallace Downey
Wallace Downey directing Carmen Miranda in Alô, Alô Brasil
Born	14 May 1902 Staten Island, New York, United States
Died	29 January 1978 New York City, New York, United States
Occupation	Director, Producer

In 1928 Wallace Downey, a New York born executive of Columbia Records[, was sent to South America to install a Brazilian branch for his company. He quickly realized Brazil was an entertainment hot bed for potential markets in records and films.[1]

In 1931 Downey produced and directed, Coisas Nossas, the first successful Brazilian film with sound. His 1935 film, Hello, Hello Brazil!, first introduced radio singer and actress Carmen Miranda to a larger audience paving the way to her international fame at 20th Century Fox in the United States.

Downey later founded his own production company, Waldow S.A., in a partnership with Cinédia, producing musical films.[2]

In 1938 Downey disbanded Waldow S.A., using the resources to create a new production company, Sonofilms.[1]