Cristina Gajoni Movies

This women-in-prison movie has everything that fans of the genre seek: abusive lesbian guards, catfights, a beautiful innocent, and a conspiracy to seek a cache of heroin whose location only the innocent one knows about. The prison uniforms on these beautiful women don't conceal their charms too often. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

An ambitious Italian financier (Vittorio Gassman) will stop at nothing to further his economic expansion. He forsakes old friends, relatives and his wife as he compromises his integrity in the pursuit for more money. He becomes a shameless bootlicker for a wealthy man who can help his financial gains. The ambitious money-grabber gets what he wants in the way of money, but sabotages everything else in his greed, leaving him a rich but lonely recluse in this ironic drama. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

Based on a Anton Chekhov short story, this slight tale has some good moments as the drama of a young boy's journey unfolds. The lad comes from peasant stock, and one day his family decides it would be best for him to go live with his uncle in the city. The only problem is that the city is all the way across the Russian steppes, and at this time in history, that arduous journey could only be undertaken by horse and carriage. Reminiscent of the American pioneer wagon trains heading West, the tale lacks any attacks from hostile forces but is filled with charming vignettes. In one part of the journey, the boy comes across some fishermen along a river, harpooning their catch for the day. In another segment, he is entertained when some folk dancers do a lively show. But in general, it is too long and unmomentous a journey to hold attention well for nearly two hours. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

In this amusing look at the petty deceits of everyday life, Marcello Mastroianni shines as wealthy antique dealer Nello Poletti, a man with every comfort money can buy. One day, however, Poletti is falsely accused of murdering his former mistress (Micheline Presle), who set him up in a life of luxury only to be cast aside in favor of a younger woman (Cristina Gajoni). The evidence seems overwhelming, and Poletti is sent to jail, where he reflects on his shameful life of deceit in pursuit of wealth. Overcome by guilt, Poletti decides to confess, only to discover that the real killer -- a spurned lover -- has already been apprehended. Once he is off the hook, Poletti returns to his original pattern of fast cars and fast women, even jokingly referring to himself as "The Assassin," and proving that he has learned absolutely nothing from his ordeal. The story is fairly predictable, but is never less than entertaining, thanks to a clever screenplay by director Elio Petri, Tonino Guerra, Pasquale Festa Campanile, and Massimo Franciosa. Petri (making his directorial debut) gets the most out of his talented cast, particularly Mastroianni, and there are some nice supporting turns by veteran character actors Salvo Randone, Andrea Checchi, and Enrico Maria Salerno. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide

Bodybuilder Ed Fury stars as the legendary Ursus in this above-average sword-and-sandal adventure from veteran director Carlo Campogalliani. The plot concerns Ursus' attempts to rescue his kidnapped fiancee, aided by a pretty blind slave girl. Now an evil queen, Ursus' former love throws him into a gladiatorial arena with a bull, which manages to smack the slave girl in the head and restore her eyesight before Ursus defeats it and his enemies. The bullfight is particularly well-staged, and this exciting spectacle may be the highlight of Fury's erratic screen career. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide

The focal point of this standard drama by director Mario Camerini is life in the Via Margutta, an artists' sector in Rome, the Italian equivalent of Montmartre in Paris. Stefano (Gerard Blain) is a talented painter, devoted to his art but not necessarily that adroit or interested in promoting himself. In contrast to Stefano, there are other artists more adept at selling their persona as an artist than creating art. Along with this mixed group of painters is a gay gallery owner who helps out some of the artists as best he can. Other characters that wander through the district range from a good-hearted woman to a self-serving parasite. These people interact in various ways, as Stefano eventually achieves his just recognition. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

In this standard tale of a gold-hearted prostitute and her difficulties, Zizi Jeanmaire plays Guinguette, the former lady of the evening who has abandoned her profession for a better life. She finally has the means to open up a bar and dancehall away from the city but just when everything seems to be going well, trouble happens. Gangsters intrude on her life and although she should be happy because she's fallen in love with a great man, that is a rocky road too. The nubile, sixteen-year-old Maryse (Maria-Christina Gajoni) is determined to take Guinguette's love away from her. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

This clever melodrama from director Renato Castellani stars Anna Magnani as a hardbitten prostitute whose immorality rubs off on a naive woman (Giulietta Masina) in a women's prison. Taking the innocent Masina under her wing, Magnani corrupts her, but is secretly touched by her kind heart. On Magnani's advice, Masina makes a bargain with Adonis (Alberto Sordi), who framed her for burglary, promising silence in exchange for part of the loot. She is acquitted, but Magnani's lessons have changed Masina's life for the worse, and she returns to prison as a garishly sleazy hooker. Magnani is horrified, having gone through some psychological changes in the opposite direction herself. Renato Salvatori, Cristina Gajoni, and Milly Monti also appear in this entertaining Italian/French potboiler adapted by Castellani and Suso Cecchi D'Amico from Isa Mari's 1953 novel Roma, Via delle Mantellate. Several versions exist, running 110, 98, and 85 minutes. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide