Giorgio Venturini Movies
- 1983
This undistinguished comedy in two acts features Lino Banfi as Altomare, the owner of an appliance store, who is obsessed with superstition, spells, and amulets to fight the "evil eye" that bedevils him, and Gaspare (Johnny Dorelli) a charlatan magician who through serendipity, encounters a real witch and is the happy recipient of her magic powers. Gaspare can retain those powers only on the condition that he bring her a pistachio ice cream when she asks for it. But even magic cannot do much for Altomare or Gaspare as long as they do not pay attention to the very practical, mundane matters in their lives. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lino Banfi, Milena Vukotic, (more)
- 1979
The steely-mouthed Jaws, a character previously featured in the James Bond films The Spy Who Loved Me and Moonraker, receives a thinly-veiled reincarnation in this picture, rechristened Golob and again played by the inimitable Richard Kiel. With the help of several companions, including a robotic dog, Golob struggles to foil the world domination plans of a megalomaniacal scientist named Graal (Ivan Rassimov). ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide
- 1970
In this psychodrama, filmed in Morocco, an international team of urban planners attempt to reconstruct an earthquake-devastated area. The wife of one of the planners is beginning to feel the pressure of her isolated existence. She seldom sees her husband, cannot speak the language, and finds that racial tensions interfere with her ability to get along with the locals. To make matters worse, she learns that her husband has a thing for North African boys. As the tensions build up, first she begins to break down, then she explodes in a fit of anger. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jean Seberg, Luigi Pistilli, (more)
- 1968
Three young women and a male companion embark on a boat trip aboard a yacht through the fjords of Yugoslavia. The two rooms in the cabin are divided between the lesbian lovers, and the other heterosexual couple. Their LSD-soaked journey gives the female passengers a chance to engage in nudity and the sexual preference of their choice. At one point in their journey, the man is shot in the stomach and lies mortally wounded. While the assailant remains unknown, they embark on a harrowing return trip hampered by storms and the worsening condition of the gunshot victim. The lesbians take over the ship and plan to prematurely bury the nearly dead man at sea. They then set their sights on his female companion, whom they force into lesbianism and drive to thoughts of suicide. Due to legal squabbles, the film was plagued by court-managed (bad) editing. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rosemarie Dexter, Doris Kunstmann, (more)
- 1968
Cult director Massimo Dallamano made this surprisingly tedious thriller about a murder-for-hire plot. Lisa (Luciana Paluzzi) is the trampy wife of a jealous detective named Franz (John Mills), who has underworld connections from his job on the narcotics squad. Lisa's shady background and promiscuous habits drive Franz to a homicidal rage, so he hires a hitman (Robert Hoffmann) to murder her. As so often is the case in films about hired killers, the hitman falls in love with Lisa and helps her to double-cross Franz. Predictable and dull, this standard genre effort is below Dallamano's usual standards, and it features a dreadful musical score by Giovanni Fusco which only adds to the disappointment. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Mills, Luciana Paluzzi, (more)
- 1962
In this sword and sandal adventure, Aeneas and his Trojan warriors take on the evil Etruscans to preserve the honor of their hometown. The tale is also known the Last Glory of Troy. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1961
A routine Italian costume drama released via Universal Studios, this story is set in Egypt during the usual ancient period. The clichéd tale stars Linda Cristal as Akis, a seductive woman whose attractions are more than enough to qualify her as a source of romantic rivalry. She is sought after by two princes, Sbaku (John Drew Barrymore) and Ramsis (Armando Francioli) who are sworn enemies, not boding well for a long and healthy life span. A remote contender in the romance sweepstakes is Amosi (Pierre Brice), a physician at the court who seems to be the long-shot, but then appearances can be deceiving. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Drew Barrymore, Linda Cristal, (more)
- 1955
Black Devils of Kali is the alternate English-language title for the German Mystery of the Black Jungle. Lex Barker plays the head of expeditionary forces, forging into the wilds of India. Far from civilization, Barker and company come across an idol-worshipping tribe. The object of idolatry is Kali, who, if you remember the 1939 film Gunga Din, is the god of Death. Black Devils of Kali was based on a novel by Emilio Salgari; the director was Ralph Murphy, who in happier times was a fixture on the Paramount Pictures lot. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1949
For some reason, Italians have always been fascinated with the legend of Swiss patriot William Tell. In the tradition of the larger-than-life Rossini opera, director Giorgio Pastina offers a colorful version of Schiller's famous stage play. Matinee idol Gino Cervi plays Tell, occasionally taking a back seat to romantic leads Rudens (Aldo Nicodemi) and Berta (Monique Oroan). The plum role of the villainous Gessler goes to Teutonic actor Paul Muller. The Italian Alps prove an impressive backdrop for the story, which of course culminates in the "apple bit." Throughout the film, Rossini's music underscores the action (and yes, it is difficult not to conjure up visions of the Lone Ranger). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gino Cervi, Paul Muller, (more)
- 1949
La Mano Della Morta was released in certain English-speaking territories as The Dead Woman's Hand. It's a period melodrama, distinguished by Byzantine plot complications and operatic acting. The protagonist, played by Mery Martin, is an embittered young woman who hopes to avenge her mother's murder. All the usual trappings are in evidence, including poison, secret passages, hastily scribbled messages and sinister servants. It is quite possible that La Mano della Morta would have received no American release at all had it not been for the voracious appetites of the various TV "Late Late Shows" throughout the land. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mary Martin, Adriano Rimoldi, (more)
