La sortija de la bruja (1978)

Lore & Background

La sortija de la bruja (1978) is an episode of El Chapulín Colorado, a series that parodied superhero shows and aired from 1973 to 1979. The show was created by Roberto Gómez Bolaños, who also played the title character. In each episode, people recognized El Chapulín Colorado wherever he appeared, believing him to be a great superhero, though he often proved puny and timid before eventually succeeding by luck or outside help.

Reader's Guide

As an episode of El Chapulín Colorado, La sortija de la bruja contributes to the series' legacy as a parody of superhero conventions. The show aired first in Mexico in 1973 and then across Latin America and Spain until 1981, alongside El Chavo del Ocho, sharing the same cast. Both shows have endured in re-runs and regained popularity in countries such as Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. The series is notable for its anthology format, where all actors except Roberto Gómez Bolaños play different characters each episode, and for its critique of unrealistic superhero images through a barely powered hero whose introduction parodied Superman's: 'Más ágil que una tortuga, más fuerte que un ratón...'

Did You Know?

• El Chapulín Colorado aired from 1973 to 1979 and was created by Roberto Gómez Bolaños.
• The show parodied superhero introductions, replacing 'faster than a speeding bullet' with 'more agile than a turtle, stronger than a mouse.'
• El Chapulín Colorado shared its cast with El Chavo del Ocho and aired across Latin America and Spain until 1981.