John Fostini Movies
- 1951
In this comedy-drama, Frank Keeler (Lloyd Bridges is an American G.I. stationed in Italy whose less-than-legal side business has earned him a small fortune. However, he is eventually caught, convicted, and imprisoned by authorities, but not before he can hide the money. After Keeler is released, he goes back to Italy to pick up his money, only to discover that someone also has already found it, sending Keeler on a manhunt to find the person who made off with his nest egg. Likely suspects include ex-girlfriend Elena (Lea Padovani), cemetery worker Pietro (Aldo Fabrizi) and transplanted mobster Jack Conway (William Tubbs. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lloyd Bridges, Lea Padovani, (more)
- 1950
Janis Paige stars as Fugitive Lady Barbara Clementi in this internationally produced melodrama. When Italian millionaire Ralph Clementi (Eduardo Cianelli) dies mysteriously, suspicion falls upon Clementi's admittedly mercenary American wife Barbara. Insurance investigator Jeff (Tony Centa) is hesitant to jump to the obvious conclusion, determining that Clementi's stepsister Esther (Binnie Barnes) and Barbara's lover Gene (Massimo Serato) also had motive and opportunity. The story concludes with a neat "Postman Always Rings Twice" twist. Released in the U.S. by Republic, Fugitive Lady was produced by future Columbia studio chief Mike Frankovich, the husband of co-star Binnie Barnes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Janis Paige, Binnie Barnes, (more)
- 1947
At a time when Jim Crow segregation was de rigeur in the South and anti-lynching laws were still being voted down by certain legislators, the independently produced The Burning Cross provoked a great deal of controversy. Unlike previous films dealing with the Ku Klux Klan, this one wasn't afraid to identify the infamous organization by name. Hank Daniels plays Johnny, an embittered, unemployed war veteran who really goes off the deep end when his former sweetheart Doris (Virginia Patton) becomes engaged to Italian-American Tony (John Fostini). Seething with hatred and resentment, Johnny is easy pickings for the local branch of the KKK. Joining the hooded bigots in their terrorist activities, Johnny realizes what he's gotten himself into only when it's nearly too late. An excellent supporting cast includes those often underused black character actors Joel Fluellen and Maidie Norman as two of the Klan's targets. Far from a good film (its threadbare production values weigh heavily against it), The Burning Cross is nonetheless a fascinating one. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Glenn Allen, Raymond Bond, (more)
- 1946
This A-minus musical stars Evelyn Keyes in the uncharacteristically comic role of Vicki Dean, the divorce-bound wife of theatrical impresario Steve Farraugh (Keenan Wynn). While mounting a big musical spectacular in Brazil, Farraugh simultaneously campaigns to win back his wife. The couple encounters romantic interference from tap-dancer Linda Lorens (Ann Miller) and Latin American singing heartthrob Tito Guizar (as himself). Nothing new here, but the cast puts over the material with such enthusiasm that the film seems better than it is. The highlight is Ann Miller's energetic specialty number "Man is Brother to a Mule" (it makes sense in context!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Evelyn Keyes, Keenan Wynn, (more)
