Francesca de Scaffa Movies
- 1955
Tender Hearts was the pre-release title of Hugo Haas' Edge of Hell. The film could also have been called Umberto D, Hollywood Style, inasmuch as star-producer-director-scripter Haas plays a kindly old derelict whose only friend is his pet dog. Living on the fringes of a big city, former circus clown Haas depends upon his trained pooch to scrounge around for food. When he becomes too old and feeble to care for the dog, Haas seeks out a wealthy home for his beloved pet. Despite the prevailing sentimentality in Tender Hearts, Hugo Haas manages to work a trashy blonde into the proceedings, in this case a streetwalker played by Francesca de Scaffa, and a climactic murder. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hugo Haas, June Hammerstein, (more)
- 1955
The CinemaScope process gets a rugged workout in Henry Hathaway's The Racers. Kirk Douglas stars as an Italian bus driver who dreams of entering the Grand Prix as a world-famous race car driver. Being Kirk Douglas, he achieves his goal, racing in all the major events around the globe. Dedicated to the philosophy of "winning is the only thing", Douglas alienates his fellow racers and everyone else with whom he comes in contact. Only when he is on the verge of losing his sweetheart Bella Darvi does our hero put his priorities in order. Adapted from a novel by Hans Ruesch, The Racers was remade in a 60-minute version as Men Against Speed, an entry in the weekly TV anthology The 20th Century-Fox Hour. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kirk Douglas, Bella Darvi, (more)
- 1954
In this heart-warming drama, a beggar and his performing dog, Flip, struggle to eke out a living upon the cruel streets. He is hired to perform at a rich kid's birthday party. There, the beggar is offered $500 for his beloved dog. He refuses and again hits the streets. Soon he becomes so impoverished that he can no longer provide food for his four-legged friend; he sells him for $20. The beggar is then beaten and robbed. Later he learns that Flip died. The man soon follows the dog to heaven where they begin performing for God. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
