Above: Scene from Juarez, featuring the song of the dove, 'La Paloma'. Direct YouTube link here.

From the porch outside a guitar, slightly out of tune; struck up La Paloma, a Mexican voice was singing, and the mescal was still working. – UTV, 326.

Manuscripts indicate that Lowry had the film Juarez (1939, dir. William Dieterle, starring Bette Davis and Brian Aherne) in mind for this scene [UBC WT 1-5, 16]. Lines from the song are cited with the marginal comment: "Ah God, the eternal la Paloma. Mention here that it was Maximilian's favourite song & that it was in the film."

Maximilian, facing the firing squad, reputedly asked as his final request for a band to play 'La Paloma'.

Below: Aherne and Davis as Maximilian and Carlotta.