Hank Garcia's 'shockingly racist' role

Do you mean ethnic stereotype, instead? I think Spanish-surnamed actors were lucky to even be cast in movies. At least it wasn't another Italian, or Mediterranean-type person playing a "Latin".

Enrique Sanchez

Even back in the 70's SoCal was heavily Latino so if you wanted to portray someone who was likely to be on welfare and know all the workarounds what ethnic character would you select? Remember, this depends on public (viewer) perceptions to be successful in the movie. If viewers cannot understand the character they won't get the joke.