While trying to save the famous Tivoli burlesque theater, the participants uncover a web of commercial corruption.

The story runs in the 1940s Mexico City. A schoolboy (Carlos) falls in love with his best friend's mother (Mariana). Carlos is impressed because this family is not like the ordinary mexican families of the time, because they have many expensive American things, although they are not rich. The drama begins when Carlos gets out of school to go to declare his love to Mariana, and is discovered by his teachers.

影片以宽银幕拍摄，视野比较开阔。导演没有用太多的篇幅表现开幕式，只是简单地纪录了点燃火炬的仪式。之后，影片即开始表现各种赛事。一开始是男子4X100米接力，接着是男子标枪、女子标枪，男子100米跨栏等。声音方面，现场音响加单一的男声解说。.影片较长，原版长度为240分钟（美国发行长度为120分钟）。