This project was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian Made accessible through a grant from the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation and Photo Friends
In 1956, 12-year-old Joe Govea met Mrs. Ralph Wilson while she was a script supervisor for Warner Bros. Studios during the Mexican filming of Mario Lanza's 'Serenade.' Govea also appeared in Walt Disney's 'The Littlest Outlaw,' both of which were filmed in his native San Miguel Allende. While he was filming, he spent six months in the Wilsons' Van Nuys home, and was enrolled at Camellia Avenue School in North Hollywood. He liked it so much, that Mrs. Wilson wrote to his parents asking if Joe could remain with them to attend school. His parents agreed, and within the first three months, he mastered enough English to be able to attend Sun Valley Junior High School. At Polytechnic High, he has accumulated a B-plus grade average and is among only 15 seniors in the 600-student class to be selected to wear the gold cloth seal on his graduation gown denoting him as an honor student. Enrollment at Valley State College will follow a summer trip to Mexico, his first since coming to the Valley. Photograph article dated October 25, 1956 partially reads, "He's a 19-year-old honor student, graduating today from Polytechnic High School in Sun Valley and ready to leave Saturday for a summer in Mexico. But for Antonio (Joe) Govea, the journey will take him into the past and help map out a bright future. Joe received his diploma today in the Valley rather than a small town 150 miles from Mexico City. In 1956, speaking only a few words of English, 12-year-old Joe Govea arrived from San Miguel Allende to spend six months with Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Wilson, 7744 Allot Ave., Van Nuys. He stayed seven years." Photograph caption reads, "Joe in 1956 - Couldn't speak English." See image 00147490 for additional photo in this series.
Students, Foreign--California--Los Angeles Students--California--Los Angeles High school graduates--California--Los Angeles Academic costume--California--Los Angeles Young men--California--Los Angeles Child actors--Mexico Sun Valley (Los Angeles, Calif.) Portrait photographs
If you're wondering about permissions and what you can do with this item, a good starting point is the "rights information" on this page. See our terms of use for more tips.
Share your story
Has Calisphere helped you advance your research, complete a project, or find something meaningful? We'd love to hear about it; please send us a message.
