CLASSIC ITALIAN CINEMA [E-M]
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ERA LUI... SI! SI! (1951) Also known as: "It's Him... Yes! Yes!" Good comedic film starring Walter Chiari, Isa Barzizza, Nyta Dover, Luigi Tosi, Enrico Viarisio, and others. Directed by Marino Girolami, Marcello Marchesi, and Vittorio Metz. Dubbed in Italian, with no subtitles. (A-/B).
ETTORE FIERAMOSCA (1938) Rare costume adventure supervised by Mussolini's government. The story takes place in 1500, when the southern part of Italy is under Spanish dominance. An invading French army, led by Graiano d'Asti, charges the Spanish, among whom is an Italian knight, Ettore Fieramosca (Gino Cervi). The French are beaten in battle and taken prisoners. French soldier Guy de la Motte (Osvaldo Valenti) insults the honor of the Italian fighters, implying that Italians can't fight to save their lives. To get revenge, the Italians challenge the French to a 13 to 13 jousting match to prove what Italians are really made of. Directed by Alessandro Blasetti. Dubbed in Italian, with no subtitles. (A-/B).
FABIOLA (1948) 158-minute print. One of the classic peplums of all time. In ancient Rome, a love story blossoms between Fabiola, daughter of a senator, and Rhual, a Gallic gladiator. When Fabiola's father is killed, the Romans blame the Christians and the persecution begins. Rhual confesses to be a Christian and is accused of the murder and sentenced to fight to death in the arena. Stars Michele Morgan, Henri Vidal, Elisa Cegani, Massimo Girotti, Gino Cervi, and others. Directed by Alessandro Blasetti. Dubbed in Italian, with no subtitles. (A/A-).
FANCIULLO DEL WEST, IL (1942) Early spaghetti western comedy. Erminio Macario plays Mac Carey, a goofball who returns home after many years to find himself involved in a feud between his family and the Donovans. Falling in love with Donovan's daughter Marguerite (Adriana Sivieri) puts a temporary halt on hostilities, but Mac finds that he must first save her from bandits in order to win her hand. Elli Parvo, Piero Pastore, Nada Fiorelli, and Nino Pavese, also star in this film from director Giorgio Ferroni. Dubbed in Italian, with no subtitles. (A-/B).
FIGHTING MEN, THE (1950) Also known as: "Gli Inesorabili." Rare Italian crime drama, about a bloody feud among Sicilian cattle barons, who set up a mafia operation. Starring Rossano Brazzi, Charles Vanel, Milly Vitale, Claudine Dupuis, and others. Directed by Camillo Mastrocinque. Dubbed in English. (A/A-).
FIGLIA DEL CORSARO VERDE, LA (1940) Translation: "Daughter of the Green Pirate." Rare swashbuckler from the Fascist era, based on a tale by Emilio Salgari. Fosco Giachetti is Carlos, son of the governor of a South American outpost under Spanish rule. To make amends for his philandering lifestyle, Carlos assists his father by infiltrating a pirate band that is threatening the stability of the domain. He wants to bring these bandits to their knees. However, Carlos falls in love with Manuela (Doris Duranti), daughter of the Corsaro Verde, who was executed by the governor. Wonderful film with a classic feel, and directed by veteran Enrico Guazzoni. Dubbed in Italian, with no subtitles. (B/B-).
FIGLIA DEL DIAVOLO, LA (1953) Original title: "The Devil's Daughter." More costume adventure courtesy of director Primo Zeglio. During the liberation of Sicily in the 1860's, a false baron arrives as a spy. The daughter of the Count Sereni attempts to uncover his schemes. Stars Paola Barbara, Massimo Serato, Roberto Risso, Carlo Tamberlani, and others. Dubbed in Italian, with no subtitles. (A-/B).
FIGLIA DEL MENDICANTE, LA (1951) Rare costume drama from director Carlo Campogalliani. In Naples, a woman is found murdered, and a poor mendicant is convicted of the crime. The mendicant's daughter, Anna, resorts to Franco to help her, but Franco is the judge's son. However, Franco also leads a group of patriots that vigorously supports Garibaldi, and this causes further twists to develop. Starring Francesca Serni, Steve Barclay, Paola Barbara, Renato Valente, Ave Ninchi, and others. Dubbed in Italian, with no subtitles. (A-/B).
FINE PAIR, A (1969) Original title: "Ruba al Prossimo Tuo." A detective (played by Rock Hudson) gets involved with the beautiful daughter of an old friend. The daughter turns out to be a jewel thief, who in turn gets the detective involved in a caper in Austria. Nicely done comedy also starring Claudia Cardinale, Leon Askin, Guido Alberti, and others. Directed by Francesco Maselli. Dubbed in English. (A/A-).
FORNARETTO DI VENEZIA, IL (1939) Excellent costume tale of romance, power and lust, set in 16th century Venice. Remade in 1963 by director Duccio Tessari, this is the earlier version. Starring Roberto Villa, Clara Calamai, Elsa De Giorgi, Osvaldo Valenti, Enrico Glori, and others. Directed by Duilio Coletti. Dubbed in Italian, with no subtitles. (A-/B).
FOUR WAYS OUT (1951) Original title: "La Citta' Si Difende." Early crime thriller from director Pietro Germi. A gang of four inexperienced criminals steals the gate proceeds at a big soccer game, and then agrees to split up afterwards, each trying separately to evade the police. We then follow each of the robbers as their "four ways out" proceed to their ultimate conclusions. The story is helped by some nice cinematic touches and solid character acting. Starring Gino Lollobrigida, Renato Baldini, Paul Muller, Fausto Tozzi, Enzo Maggio, Tamara Lees, and others. Dubbed in English. (A-/B).
FRA DIAVOLO (1942) Also known as: "The Devil In His Heart." Ultra-rare costume adventure from director Luigi Zampa. Michele Pezza, half soldier and half brigand, fights the French forces of Napoleon when they invade the kingdom of Naples. Excellent outdoor photography and adventurous sequences highlight this all-but-forgotten film. Stars Enzo Fiermonte, Elsa De Giorgi, Laura Nucci, Carlo Romano, Loris Gizzi, and others. Dubbed in Italian, with no subtitles. (A/A-).
GHOSTS ITALIAN STYLE (1968) Original title: "Questi Fantasmi." Pasquale and Maria, recently married, move into a palace supposedly haunted by ghosts. When Pasquale finds some food in the cupboard, he thinks the ghosts are at work. Actually it's Maria's lover, a very rich man, who showers her with presents. Starring Vittorio Gassman, Sophia Loren, Mario Adorf, and others. Directed by Renato Castellani. Dubbed in English. (A/A-).
GIACOMO L'IDEALISTA (1943) Giacomo, a professor of philosophy, returns to his native village after serving in a campaign with Garibaldi. However, due to family troubles, he's forced to put his plans on hold, as also his marriage with Celestina, an orphan raised by the family. Giacomo also learns that there is another suitor for her hand, and this causes complications, especially when Celestina is violated by him. Starring Massimo Serato, Marina Berti, Andrea Checchi, Giulio Tempesti, Tina Lattanzi, Attilio Dottesio, and others. Directed by Alberto Lattuada. Dubbed in Italian, with no subtitles. (B/B-).
GINEVRA DEGLI ALMIERI (1936) Lush costume tale from director Guido Brignone. In 15th century Florence, Ginevra falls into a state of catalepsy after a marriage imposed on her by her father. She is thought to be dead and buried but manages to leave her tomb and goes for help to her father and husband who think she is a ghost. Antonio, a poor struggling painter, helps her but he's put to trial since he's thought to have stolen Ginevra's corpse. Starring Amedeo Nazzari, Elsa Merlini, Amedeo Nazzari, and others. Dubbed in Italian, with no subtitles. (B/B-).
GIUNGLA (1942) Also known as: "Jungle." Exceptionally rare jungle adventure which never (as far as we know) had a U.S. release. A doctor involved in a past murder carries on his career under a false name, on a remote tropical island. When a journalist discovers his identity, all hell breaks loose. Starring Vivi Gioi, Rudolf Fernau, Mario Ferrari, Lauro Gazzolo, Albrecht Schoenhals, and others. Directed by Nunzio Malasomma. Dubbed in Italian, with no subtitles. (A-/B).
GRANDE GUERRA, LA (1959) Also known as: "The Great War." Great dramatic WWI film starring Alberto Sordi, Vittorio Gassman, Silvana Mangano, Folco Lulli, Vittorio Sanipoli, Bernard Blier, and others. Directed by Mario Monicelli. Dubbed in Italian, with no subtitles. (A/A-).
IO NON PROTESTO... IO AMO! (1967) Rare comedy/ musical starring Caterina Caselli, Terence Hill, Livio Lorenzon, Enzo Maggio, Nina Larker, and others. Directed by Ferdinando Baldi. Dubbed in Italian, with no subtitles. (B/B-).
JOLANDA, DAUGHTER OF THE BLACK CORSAIR (1952) Original title: "Jolanda, La Figlia del Corsaro Nero." Mario Soldati directs this fast swashbuckling adventure based on a tale by Emilio Salgari. Starring May Britt, Marc Lawrence, Renato Salvatori, Guido Celano, Barbara Florian, Ignazio Balsamo, and others. Dubbed in Italian, with no subtitles. (A/A-).
KING'S JESTER, THE (1941) Original title: "Il Re Si Diverte." English-subtitled print of this scarce costume drama based on the 'Rigoletto' story. Michel Simon stars as a hunchbacked jester in the court of a lecherous king (played by Rossano Brazzi). Favorite actress of Mussolini's fascist regime, Doris Duranti, performs a deliciously vampy dance as the prostitute Margot-Maddalena. Also stars Paola Barbara, Elli Parvo, Carlo Ninchi, and others. Mario Bonnard directed this true gem from the Italian fascist era. Dubbed in Italian, with English subtitles. (B/B-).
LAZZARELLA (1957) (Description coming...)
LORENZINO DE MEDICI (1935) Also known as: "The Magnificent Rogue." Excellent tale of intrigue and revenge during the 1500's. Duke Alessandro (played by Camillo Pilotto) has the lovely Bianca Strozzi abducted, in order to prevent her love affair with the lecherous Lorenzino De Medici. Also starring Alexander Moissi, Germana Paolieri, Maria Denis, and others. Directed by Guido Brignone. Dubbed in Italian, with no subtitles. (A-/B).
LURE OF THE SILA (1949) Original title: "Il Lupo della Sila." Nicely done crime/drama tale from director Duilio Coletti. Man is accused and convicted of a crime he didn't commit. Years later, his sister seeks revenge for his murder by the police. Starring Silvana Mangano, Amedeo Nazzari, Vittorio Gassman, Jacques Sernas, and others. Dubbed in English. (A-/B).
MACISTE IN HELL (1926) Entry in the original Maciste series. Bartolomeo Pagano descends into hell to rescue a kidnapped bride. During his journey, he must battle ghouls, vampires, and other weird creatures. Contains some genuinely haunting visuals and creepy effects. Also stars Elena Sangro, Umberto Guarracino, and Pauline Poliare. Directed by Guido Brignone. Silent with music score. In English. (A-/B).
MADDALENA, ZERO IN CONDOTTA (1940) Well-done escapist comedy from director Vittorio De Sica. At a technical school, girl students learn to write commercial letters to a Mr. Doe in Germany...one day one of these letters is posted by mistake.. the problem is that this Mr. Doe really exists. Starring Vittorio De Sica, Vera Bergman, Carla Del Poggio, Irasema Dilian, and others. Dubbed in Italian, with no subtitles. (A-/A-).
MAESTRO DI VIGEVANO, IL (1963) Also known as: "The Teacher From Vigevano." Italian black comedy from director Elio Petri. Alberto Sordi plays a humble elementary school teacher who must continuously wrestle against the wishes of his headstrong wife (Claire Bloom). Also starring Anna Carena, Egidio Casolari, Agniello Coastabile, and others. Dubbed in Italian, with no subtitles. (A/A-).
MALACARNE (1946) Also known as: "For the Love of Mariastella." Rare Italian drama, about a man who seduces a girl from the convent, and ends up in jail after hurting her uncle. When he gets out, he finds that she is with child. Starring Amedeo Nazzari, Mariella Lotti, Otello Toso, Giovanni Grasso, and others. Directed by Pino Mercanti. Dubbed in Italian, with English subtitles. (A/A-).
MAMMA MIA, CHE IMPRESSIONE! (1951) Alberto Sordi stars in this period comedy also featuring Giovanna Pala, Carlo Giustini, Frank Colson, Fausto Guerzoni, and others. Directed by Roberto Savarese. Dubbed in Italian, with no subtitles. (A/A-).
MAMMA SCONOSCIUTA (1956) (Description coming...)
MARACATUMBA... MA NON E UNA RUMBA (1949) (Description coming...)
MATA HARI'S DAUGHTER (1954) Original title: "La Figlia di Mata Hari." Colorful Oriental adventure from directors Renzo Merusi and Carmine Gallone. A ballerina (played by Ludmilla Tcherina) manages to get in a few dance numbers as she plays the title spy. In Indonesia in 1941, she attempts to help the Dutch stop the relentless Japanese onslaught. Also stars Erno Crisa, Frank Latimore, Milly Vitale, Enzo Biliotti, and others. Letterboxed at 1.66:1. Dubbed in German, with no subtitles. (A/A-).
MATRIMONIO, IL (1954) Also known as: "The Marriage." Comedy film starring Alberto Sordi, Vittorio De Sica, Silvana Pampanini, Renato Rascel, Ave Ninchi, and others. Directed by Antonio Petrucci. Dubbed in Italian, with no subtitles. (A/A-).
MERCANTE DI SCHIAVE, IL (1942) Also known as: "Merchant of Slaves." Extremely rare swashbuckler about a Sicilian girl who gets entangled in love affair with a Moorish pirate. Starring Enzo Fiermonte, Annette Bach, Elena Zareschi, Augusto Di Giovanni, and others. Directed by Duilio Coletti. Dubbed in Italian, with no subtitles. (A-/B).
MESSALINA (1951) Also known as: "The Affairs of Messalina." At last, we received a print of this extremely rare peplum from veteran director Carmine Gallone. Nearly two hours long, it tells the tale of Messalina, the emperor Claudius' adulterous wife, who upsets the throne by plotting treason against the emperor with a young soldier named Silvius (played by Georges Marchal). The Christians, of course, are implicated, and the end scenes depict plenty of gladiatorial action. Also starring Memo Benassi, Delia Scala, Erno Crisa, and others. Dubbed in Italian, with no subtitles. (A-/B).
MIA NONNA POLIZIOTTO (1958) Alberto is engaged to Ileana, but whenever he tries to marry her, his grandmother gets into trouble. Comedy film starring Tina Pica, Mario Riva, Lila Rocco, Loris Gizzi, and others. Directed by Steno. Dubbed in Italian, with no subtitles. (A/A-).
MIO FIGLIO NERONE (1956) Nero is on holiday at the seaside. Poppea, Seneca and many other guests are with him. Nero is preparing a great show where he will be the star. When Agrippina, his mother, arrives with her German praetorians and decides Nero has to conquer Britain, she is asking for trouble. Many attempts of murder and poisoning will happen on the eve of his great show. An exquisite spoof of Roman civilization starring Alberto Sordi, Vittorio De Sica, Gloria Swanson, and Brigitte Bardot. Directed by Stefano Vanzina. Dubbed in Italian, with no subtitles. (B/B-).
MORE THAN A MIRACLE (1967)
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