Claudio Gora Movies
Claudio Gora was a highly regarded, versatile Italian theatrical and film actor who also occasionally directed features. As a thespian, Gora reached the pinnacle of his popularity during Italy's so-called "Golden Age" of cinema during the '50s and '60s. Gora (born Emilio Giordana in Genoa) made his film debut with Trappola d'amore (1939), two years after he first appeared on stage. Quite handsome in youth, Gora spent the WWII years playing romantic leads in such dramas as Luigi Zamkpa's Signoirinette and often worked opposite some of his country's most alluring actresses. In 1950, Gora made his directorial debut with a neorealist drama, The Sky is Red. He subsequently helmed nine more films in a variety of genres ranging from comedies to violent westerns. His most famous film was Febbre di Vivere (1953) starring Marcello Mastroianni. During the '60s, Gora revitalized his acting career after he perfected his "middle-class Italian cynic" character. He played versions of the unscrupulous fellow in such films as Pietro Germi's The Facts of Murder (1960) and Il Medico della Mutua (1968). As an actor, Gora appeared in 130 films. He played his last role in Vacanze di Natali '91/Christmas Vacation '91 (1991). In addition to his eventful film career, Gora also had a busy career on stage and television. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide- 1953
Leopoldo Trieste's stage play Cronaca was the basis for the Italian drama Febbre di Vivere (Eager to Live). Though virtually every character in the film is tenuously connected with Italian high society, many of them can be classified as "low lifes." And none is lower than two-bit bookie Massico (Massimo Serato) who breaks at least three female hearts in the course of events. Coasting by on his charm, Massico manages to secure undying loyalty from all his women, even after casting them aside. But when he adds murder to his repertoire, his luck runs out. Marcello Mastrioanni is seen in a surprisingly passive role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Massimo Serato, Marcello Mastroianni, (more)
- 1953
The misleadingly titled Italian comedy Luxury Girls is set in an exclusive Swiss finishing school. Rambunctious American lass Lorna Whitmore Susan Stephan is enrolled in the school by her wealthy parents. Before long, Laura has set the institution on its ear with her precocious behavior. Her female partners-in-"crime" spend their waking hours thinking of men and how to trap them, rather than concentrating on their schoolwork. There are a few attempts along the way to inject a note of seriousness now and then, but for the most part Luxury Girls is a chucklesome romp. While the cast is largely comprised of unknowns, Jacques Sernas does box-office duty as a commoner passing himself off as an aristocrat. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Susan Stephen, Anna Maria Ferrero, (more)
- 1952
The Italian Island of Procida is set in a remote penal colony. Claudio Gora stars as Paul, a disillusioned surgeon who is serving a 20-year-sentence for the murder of his faithless fiancee. Vowing never again to do anything in the service of mankind, Paul changes his tune when a plane crash-lands near the prison. After saving the life of one of the passengers, a little girl, Paul's faith in humanity is restored by the love of the girl's older sister (Vera Carmi). The plot is complicated by a jailbreak, wherein Paul is forced to protect his new love from the lecherous advances of fellow prisoner Mania (Carlo Ninchi). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Claudio Gora, Carlo Ninchi, (more)
- 1949
The Italian The Sky is Red (Il Cielo e Rosso) details the romantic adventures of two postwar couples. Despite being confined to a quarantined zone (quarantined for political, rather than health reasons), love finds a way. The neorealistic elements are passable, but what really "sold" this film abroad was its graphic-for-its-times sexual content. The cast is headed by Jacques Sernas and Marina Berti, another step in the right direction box office-wise. One of the young romeos is played by Mischa Auer Jr., son of the famed Russian comic actor. Among the many screenwriters of The Sky is Red is frequent De Sica and Fellini collaborator Cesare Zavattini. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marina Berti, Jacques Sernas, (more)
- 1948
Preludio D'Amore (Love Prelude) is a minor Italian romantic drama with an impressive cast. The story, involving a romance between two budding juvenile delinquents, is nothing special. Nor is the perfunctory direction by workhorse Giovanni Paolucci. What really makes this thing percolate are its stars, including veteran "action" hero Massimo Girotti, frequent Roberto Rosselini collaborator Maria Michi, Hollywood-bound ingenue Marina Berti, and comparative newcomer Vittorio Gassman. The film was put together by Albatros Productions, one of the most ill-named companies in the history of the cinema. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vittorio Gassman, Marina Berti, (more)
