Vittoria Crispo Movies
- 1971
Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni star in this Italian comedy. The story begins with Loren as Valerie, a woman whose suicide attempt, prompted by a romantic disappointment, is thwarted by Don Mario (Mastroianni), a priest whom she called before she lost consciousness. She immediately falls in love with the priest. He is much taken with her beauty and considers asking for a dispensation to marry her, which encourages her greatly. The priest asks for advice, which ranges from the sublime to the ridiculous (castration). Meanwhile, he is promoted to be a Monsignor. At the same time, Valerie learns that she is pregnant, though it is not clear who the father is. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- 1967
In this comedy, two Yankee con artists pose as tourists visiting scenic Naples. There they intend to rob an old church. Before pulling the caper, the two enlist the aid of a local criminal. The theft succeeds, but afterwards the crooks begin double-crossing each other. Murder and mayhem ensues as one American murders the other and then heads for the airport dressed as a nun. "Her" loot is, in turn, captured by the Italian crook and his friend. The local thief then heads for Switzerland accompanied by a bogus "cardinal" who protects him. Unfortunately for the crook, the cardinal turns out to be the real thing and takes the treasure back to its original home. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nino Manfredi, Senta Berger, (more)
- 1954
Heralded as a musical comedy, Tarantella Napoletana is actually a plotless revue. The film sets out to celebrate the music and comedy tastes of the citizens of Naples. The 16 sketches that follow do just that, though some more effectively than others. While some of the individual turns are forgettable, they are redeemed by the excellent work provided by the Armando Curcio chorus and the Gauthier Ballet. The entrepreneurial Curcio also wrote the book and lyrics for Tartentella Napoletana, and, for what it was worth, was credited for the film's "story." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Vittorio De Sica plays the middle-aged marshal of carabiniers in a remote Italian mountain village. He's anxious to marry, and selects young Gina Lollobrigida as his bride; but she is already in love with De Sica's shy subordinate Roberto Risso. Mistaking her headstrong behavior as promiscuity, De Sica makes advances towards her, but she spurns him. Forsaking the girl to the arms of Risso, De Sica decides to settle for village midwife Marisa Merlini. Originally titled Pane, Amore, e Fantasia when released in Italy, Bread, Love and Dreams contains what some regard as Gina Lollobrigida's best and most naturalistic performance. The film's popularity resulted in two sequels, both with Lollobrigida: Pane, Amore e Gelosia (US title: Frisky) and the open-ended Pane, Amore e... (released in the states as Scandal in Sorrento). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vittorio De Sica, Gina Lollobrigida, (more)
