Assia Noris Movies
Specializing in playing romantic, naïve, and honest young women, frequently opposite Vittorio De Sica, Assia Noris was one of Italy's most popular stars during the 1930s. Due to the then ruling fascist government's restraints, her work was not seen outside Italy. When neorealism came into vogue, Noris could not change her screen persona to adapt and so faded from view. She was born Anastasia von Gerzfeld, the daughter of a German officer and an allegedly aristocratic Ukrainian mother. The exact circumstances of her upbringing remained mysterious, but it is known that she and her parents fled to Paris during the Russian Revolution. They emigrated to Italy in 1929 and that year she married Gastone Assia, the name she would use on-stage even though he was only the first of five husbands. In 1932, Noris made her feature film bow opposite brothers Eduardo and Peppino De Fillippo in Tre Uomini in frac (1932). She appeared in more films, but did not become a bona fide star until she teamed up with director Mario Camerini, to whom she would be briefly married. Together, they made a string of popular romantic comedies, including Daro un Millone (1935) and I Grandi Magazzini (1939) -- films which also significantly boosted De Sica's career. Other notable Noris films include Between Two Worlds (1937) and Un Colpo di Pistola (1942). When Italian cinema turned towards neorealism, Noris attempted a stage career in the mid-'40s. After appearing in the undistinguished La Peccatrice Bianca (1949), Noris would only appear in one more film, La Celestina (1964). With her fifth husband Antoine Habib, she lived for many years in Egypt. Noris died in San Remo, Italy, on January 27, 1998, following a brief illness. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1939
Vittorio De Sica (billed simply as "De Sica") is the virile young hero of Grandi Magazzini. The title translates as "Department Store," which is where the first half of the story transpires. In a fit of jealousy, store clerk Assia Norris walks out on her boyfriend and heads for a vacation in the Alps, but not before "borrowing" a high-priced ski wardrobe. Once on the slopes, Norris falls in love with truck-driver DeSica, who convinces himself that this extremely well-dressed young lady is a woman of great wealth. Upon discovering that Norris is a fraud, DeSica is crestfallen, but Love Conquers All before the final reel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Assia Noris
- 1938
Released in English-speaking countries as I Want to Live With Joy, this Italian comedy can truly be labelled "A Camillo Mastrocinque Film": Mastrocinque not only directed the picture, but co-wrote the script and designed the sets as well. The hero (Gino Cervi) is a wealthy young sprout who is forever pursued by young ladies interested in his money. When he has the opportunity to romance a pretty aristocrat (Assia Norris), he isn't altogether certain whether she will like him for himself, especially since her father (Umberto Melnati) seems overly anxious to accelerate a marriage. Sure enough, daddy is flat broke and hopes to land a rich husband for his little girl. By disguising himself as an impoverished artist, our hero discovers that the girl's love for him is genuine. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Umberto Melnati, Gino Cervi, (more)
- 1937
Daro un Milione (I'll Give A Million) was another felicitous collaboration between director Mario Camerini and his favorite star Vittorio de Sica. The story gets under way when a cynical millionaire announces that he intends to disguise himself as a hobo and given a million lire to anyone who treats him nicely. As a result, every bum in Rome is given the royal treatment on the off-chance that they're the millionaire. While the tramps revel in this sudden wave of good fortune, the real millionaire finds true love with a pretty circus performer who knows nothing about the "I'll Give a Million" campaign. Co-written by Cesare Zavattini and Giaci Mondani Daro un Milione was remade in Hollywood in 1938, with Warner Baxter as the millionaire, Marjorie Weaver as the heroine, and Peter Lorre and John Carradine as two of the happy hoboes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vittorio De Sica, Assia Noris, (more)
- 1937
Allegri Masnadieri (Jolly Pirates) is a dizzy mistaken-identity farce, dressed up as a lavish costume epic. While escaping from an undesirable suitor, the heroine and her two servants are captured by pirates. Fortunately, one of the servants is mistaken for the infamous buccaneer chieftain "The Black Feather." Taking advantage of the situation, the heroine and her true love commandeer the pirate vessel as a means of escape. Complicating matters is the fact that the pirates are holding hostage the nephew of the very man that the girl didn't want to marry. Before the mess is straightened out, the fickle heroine has fallen in love with the nephew! There are times in Allegri Masnadieri that the mercurial leading lady is more frightening than the pirates. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Assia Noris, Camillo Pilotto, (more)
- 1937
This Italian romantic drama was originally released as L'Uomo Che Sorride. It's a Taming of the Shrew yarn in mufti; the eminently tameable heroine is a spoiled industrialist's daughter named Adriana. Used to getting her own way, Adriana has browbeaten her eternally-smiling husband Pio into docility; whatever she wants, Pio gives her, even if it's illogical or impossible. Finally exasperated by his uncomplaining agreeability, Adriana demands that Pio begin dominating her. Only when she threatens to run off with an ex-lover (who expresses gratitude that he never married her!) does Pio finally assert himself and assume his proper leadership position in their household. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vittorio De Sica, Assia Noris, (more)
