Armando Migliari Movies
- 1951
This episodic Italian comedy follows the misadventures of housemaid Maria (Elsa Merlini). Her various employers include a salesman (Aldo Fabrizi) who values peace and quiet, but never gets it, and a vainglorious actor (Vittorio de Sica) with woman trouble. Through it all, Maria survives with a little help from her friends, including best pal Ermelinda, played by the future star of Stromboli and Juliet of the Spirits, Giulette Masina. Among the screenwriters for this film was Masina's husband Federico Fellini. Cameriera Bella, Presenza Offresi marked the return to the screen of Elsa Merlini, one of the most popular personalities of the prewar Italian cinema. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elsa Merlini, Vittorio De Sica, (more)
- 1949
Toto, the brilliant Italian comic actor, frequently appeared in parodies of previous movie hits. Toto le Moko is a lampoon of Jean Gabin's Pepe le Moko, and as such plays best if one is familiar with the Gabin picture. Toto plays the cousin of notorious Pepe le Moko, leader of all illegal activities in the Casbah. When Pepe disappears, Toto is obliged to take his place. Through a combination of a magic potion and sheer dumb luck, Our Hero manages to keep himself alive, and also finds time to dally with several desirable lovelies. But when Pepe returns, there's you-know-what to pay. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Totò, Gianna Maria Canale, (more)
- 1947
Anna Magnani won Best Actress at the 1947 Venice Film Festival for her stirring comic performance in this charming film, which she co-wrote with director Luigi Zampa, [$Suso Cecchio D'Amico, and Piero Tellini. Magnani portrays Angelina, an impoverished housewife who begins a passionate battle to improve the standard of living in her slum neighborhood in the days following World War II. The problems of flooding, suitable housing and other hardships take a backseat to Magnani's whirlwind energy and courage, but she and Zampa never forget the warmth behind the humor. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anna Magnani, Nando Bruno, (more)
- 1940
Altoleto Palermi is both writer and director of the Italian domestic drama Le Due Madri (The Two Mothers). Vittorio De Sica plays Salvatore, a young aspiring artist who becomes an overnight success (after several years' worth of struggling!) Upon having fame and fortune thrust upon him, Salvatore makes a startling discovery: He is the long-lost son of celebrated musical star Kiki (Lydia Johnson). This revelation causes a brief rift between Salvatore and his adoptive mother Mammarosa (Bella Starace Sainari) until the hero realizes at last that blood isn't always thicker than water. Maria Denis received a great deal of critical attention for her performance as Salvatore's girlfriend, mostly on the strength of her curvaceous frame. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vittorio De Sica, Maria Denis, (more)
- 1938
Loud, prolonged laughter is the order of the day in the Italian Il Trionfo Dell'Amore (Triumph of Love). Vittorio de Sica and Paolo Barbara play Vincenzo and Giovanna, newlyweds who can't help but feel that their marriage may have been a mistake. While on their honeymoon at the villa of Vincenzo's Aunt Lucia (Giuditta Rissone), the couple remains apart, planning an annulment. They change their minds after observing Aunt Lucia's own romantic escapades with her "ideal" sweetheart and her more sensible hometown beau. Most of the laughs are generated by Enrico Viarisino as Giangiacomo, Vincenzo's accident-prone best friend. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vittorio De Sica, Paola Barbara, (more)
- 1938
Il Conte di Brechard was adapted by director Mario Bonnard from the popular play by Gioacchino Forzano. It all begins in the days before the French Revolution, when the titular count (Amedeo Nazzari) expels his servant Perault (Ugo Ceseri) from his estate. But after the Reign of Terror, positions are reversed and Perault returns triumphantly as the Count's master. Revelling in his newfound authority, Perault orders his own daughter Maria (Louisa Ferida) to marry the Count. The plan is to have Maria denounce her new husband, giving Perault an excuse to arrest his former employer and assume total control of the estate. The ex-servant's plans are thwarted when Maria falls genuinely in love with the likable aristocrat. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Amedeo Nazzari, Luisa Ferida, (more)
- 1938
Il Destino was released outside of Italy as Damsel of Bard. Emma Grammatica stars as Naria, the wife of Franco, the Count of Bard (Luigi Simari). Though she does not love her husband, Naria is loyal to family tradition, refusing any and all erstwhile lovers to keep up appearances. Things change dramatically halfway through the story, by which time the Damsel of Bard has suffered nobly in a stunning variety of gorgeous gowns. Though beautifully photographed, Il Destino proved a bit too stately and stodgy for American tastes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Luigi Cimara
- 1937
Questi Ragazzi (Those Children) is the story of a December-December romance. An elderly man and woman, both long widowed, inaugurate a surprisingly passionate romance. So frisky are the aged lovers that they are referred to as "those children" by their own children. As it turns out, the oldsters set an excellent example for younger, less-romantic husband Vittorio de Sica, whose ardor for his equally young, equally undemonstrative wife is eventually rekindled. Questi Ragazzi was adapted from a popular stage comedy by Gherardo Gherardi. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vittorio De Sica, Paola Barbara, (more)
- 1937
Based on stage comedy by Alberto Colatuoni, I Fratelli Castiglioni is the story of four brothers. A nasty, avaricious bunch, the brothers Castiglioni are thrilled when their uncle wins two million lire in the national lottery. Alas, dear Uncle dies before he can reveal the hiding place of the lucky lottery ticket. This sets off a frantic search, with all four brothers literally climbing over one another to locate the precious ticket. And when the rest of the family gets in on the act? Mama Mia! I Fratelli Castiglioni is at its best when it veers into black-comedy territory, as in the scene where the four brothers dig up Uncle's grave in hopes of rifling his pockets -- only to discover that someone has beaten them to it. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ugo Ceseri, Camillo Pilotto, (more)
