Los Vendidos was adapted for television in 1972 by KNBC.[1] The adaptation of the play was presented as a televised special of the original acto that was first performed by El Teatro Campesino. For the most part, the adaptation stays true to the original screenplay created by Valdez. The differences between the adaption and the original screenplay lie in the opening and closing scenes of the special. As the televised adaption begins the screen is presented with a pyramid lined with the actors of El Teatro Campesino. Stationed in the middle of the pyramid is an Aztec Calendar voiced by the creator of the play, Luiz Valdez. Valdez welcomes the audience and begins his explanation of the different actors on stage. Each actor is meant to be a depiction of the stereotypes that will be on display throughout the rest of the televised special. Towards the end of the televised special, differentiation from the original screenplay is done through the exit of the character Eric Garcia. While in the original play, Eric scares Miss. Jimenez from Honest Sancho's, the adaptation showcases Eric walking out with the secretary after the purchase is done. When one of the supporting characters comments on the absence of Eric, stating that he might not have wanted to leave with the secretary (Los Vendidos 21:14), they joke and say that he has transformed into his character, the Mexican-American. They then proceed to joke around and ask who the next person to take up the mantle of the Mexican-American. One of the supporting actors then brings out a map showcasing the different areas in America in which similar infiltrations are taking place. The special ultimately ends with a cutback to Luiz Valdezon the pyramid as he explains his view of“the universal life of the Chicano” (Los Vendidos 23:16)
[2]
