Dime with a Halo

Dime with a Halo is a 1963 film directed by Boris Sagal. It stars Barbara Luna and Rafael López.

Plot
Four thieving street urchins, led by Chuy, bet $2 on a pick-six horse race every week. A kindly American, Mr. Jones, places their bet for them while visiting Tijuana each week to indulge himself at strip clubs and with prostitutes. The gang is joined by a new kid in town, Jose, whose sister, Juanita, is stripping at a local club. To get some luck, the kids decide to steal a dime from the church poor box to "make Jesus a partner" in the bet. They win $81,000. Unwilling to trust an adult to cash in their ticket, Juanita contacts Mr. Jones in Los Angeles. Mr. Jones drives to cash in the bet, but has a heart attack on the way. The ticket flutters away in the breeze. Unable to find the betting ticket, the boys return the dime to the poor box.

Production
Dime with a Halo was the last movie issued by the Hal Roach Studios. Director Boris Sagal used Roach's forlorn, run-down facilities because they looked like a decaying Mexican city. The filming locations included the Pomona Fairgrounds, the Del Mar Tracks, Callabassas, and Boyle Heights.

Jennifer Bishop was cast by Anthony Barr, who saw her at an acting workshop at Desilu Studios. Betty Blythe was cast, but her role was removed from the script. Rafael Lopez cites the film's disappointing box-office earnings as a result of the film being marketed as a children's film despite the adult-oriented themes.

The film's copyright was renewed.

Cast

 * Barbara Luna as Juanita
 * Rafael López as Chuy Perez
 * Roger Mobley as Jose
 * Paul Langton as Mr. Jones
 * Robert Carricart as Cashier
 * Jennifer Bishop as Stripper