Lou Criscuolo Movies
Matty, the Moron and the Madonna was the intriguing title of the first off-Broadway play to feature American actor Lou Criscuolo. After this 1964 debut, Criscuolo seldom missed a theatrical season, appearing in productions as celebrated as Man of La Mancha and as obscure as Hurry Harry. The actor's film roles were generally of the "colorful ethnic character bit" variety in such films as King Kong Lives (1975), Enormous Changes at the Last Minute (1983), Weeds (1987), From the Hip (1987), Once Around (1991), 29th Street (1991) and Weekend at Bernie's (1991). Operating from both coasts, Criscuolo could be seen in such TV series as The Edge of Night, as Danny Micelli; Popi (1976), as Mr. Maggio; and Just Friends (1979), as health spa owner Milt D'Angelo. Lou Criscuolo almost had an actual starring part on a 1977 TV series titled Instant Family, an Odd Couple rip-off co-starring William Daniels, but the show never got past the pilot stage. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1976
- R
Joe Pesci makes one of his earliest screen appearances in Family Enforcer. The main character, played by Joseph Cortese, is a New Jersey street kid who becomes mixed up with gangsters. After getting in over his head, the boy wants out, but this is not to be. Family Enforcer was also released as Death Collector, The Collector and The Enforcer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joe Cortese
- 1971
- PG
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In this comedy, based on Jimmy Breslin's novel, a bungling gang of hoods make increasingly ludicrous attempts on the life of a Mafia boss. Each attempt ends in failure. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1971
- PG
Robert Mitchum delivers a top-notch performance as Harry Graham, a lonely and tender lout of a father who, released from prison after having killed his wife many years ago, has to start anew but must deal with his embittered teenage son Jimmy (Jan-Michael Vincent). Jimmy, seeking vengeance upon his father, tracks him from the prison where he was incarcerated to the run-down seashore community where Harry is now eking out a living in a trailer park with his girlfriend Jenny (Brenda Vaccaro). When Jimmy at last confronts his father face to face, he finds he has to deal with many unresolved emotional barriers in their relationship. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Mitchum, Brenda Vaccaro, (more)
- 1970
- PG
Captain Turner (Rock Hudson) is the American paratrooper who employs Italian children to blow up a strategic dam controlled by the Nazis. He is the only survivor of his unit gunned down during the jump. Rescued by the moppets, he slaps and rapes German medico Bianca (Sylva Koscina), which implausibly leads her to trust Turner and help in the clandestine mission. Aldo (Mark Colleano) is the youthful leader who helps Turner carry out the bombing in exchange for an attack on his village. When the Nazis control the small town, their allegiance quickly changes as they fight the Germans they once considered allies. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rock Hudson, Sylva Koscina, (more)
- 1967
A handsome prince searches for love in this whimsical fairy tale. Prince Ramon (Omar Sharif) has been pledged to an arranged marriage by the Queen Mother (Dolores Del Rio), but he balks at marrying a woman whom he doesn't love, and rides away on his horse rather than face the altar. While riding in the woods, Ramon is thrown from his mount, and the wounded prince finds refuge at a nearby monastery presided over by Brother Joseph (Leslie French). Unlike most monks, Joseph has magical powers and can fly when the spirit moves him. The Prince confesses to Joseph that he's been unable to find true love, so the monk puts his powers to work; soon Ramon finds himself awestruck by the beautiful servant girl Isabella (Sophia Loren). Ramon and Isabella fall in love, but her status as a commoner would preclude a marriage between them -- that is, until Brother Joseph does some rummaging through his bag of tricks. More Than a Miracle (also released as C'era una Volta and Cinderella -- Italian Style) was Dolores Del Rio's last dramatic screen appearance for 11 years; she was to act in only one more film, The Children of Sanchez. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sophia Loren, Omar Sharif, (more)
