After the 1930s, most Latinos who rose to prominence did so using Anglo names and by hiding their identities. Either that or they were relegated to the earlier comedic or sinister roles of the 19th century. "This was true for African Americans, Asians, Native Americans and Mexicans," says Rios-Bustamante.
Regarding his research into the era, Rios-Bustamante says: "There's still an unrecovered history." He is currently researching early Latino and Latina screenwriters between 1914 and the 1920s.
Luis Reyes, author of "Hispanics in Hollywood," believes that the number of Latinos in Hollywood parallels the number of Latinos in television. A recent study, "Distorted Reality: Hispanic Characters in TV Entertainment," by the Washington, DC-based Center for Media and Public Affairs, found that there were more Latinos in television in the 1950s than the present: 3 percent vs 1 percent.
The reason there were more Latinos in television or Hollywood in the past, says Reyes, is because the industry is no longer making westerns.
Even though the numbers are down, he says, "We're in a much different era" than when Latinos had to change their names to make it in Hollywood.
"Now, we are telling our stories from our own point of view."
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