Laura Gore Movies
- 1954
This romantic Italian anthology film is comprised of six episodes that deal with a century of love. The first vignette, "Garibaldin," set in 1854, follows a rebellious priest who attempts to sway others to his beliefs. "Pendolin" examines a philandering wife's affair with a hotel porter who really only wanted to give her her lost earrings. "Purification" follows an honorable soldier who refuses to convey his commanding officer's last words to his unworthy girlfriend. In the fourth episode, "Golden Wedding," an elderly couple celebrate their wedding anniversary and discover mutual disillusionment. "The Last Ten Minutes" examines the efforts of a priest and a condemned man to conceal the truth about the man's crime from his wife. Finally, in "Amore," which is set in 1954, a father tries to persuade his daughter's husband to stay married to her. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1953
Aldo Fabrizi is both director and co-star of the Italian Una di Quelle (One of Those). Basically, however, the film is a vehicle for the inspired film-clown Toto. The latter plays the ardent suitor of a seemingly respectable young widow named Maria. Actually, Maria is a prostitute, albeit an inept and unsuccessful one. With Toto's "help," she manages to bungle her first -- and last -- assignment, culminating in an emergency visit to a doctor (played by Fabrizi). What might have been treated as a turgid drama by Hollywood, emerges as a lovable comedy under the careful guidance of Signor Fabrizi. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Totò, Aldo Fabrizi, (more)
- 1950
The Voice of Love is primarily a showcase for the splendid singing of Italian musical favorite Gino Bechi. Sagaciously, Bechi is cast as a professional singer who loves Countess Luisa Diana (Annette Bach). He carries on a courtship by telephone, as logical a means as any to have the star burst into song at a moment's notice. In true operetta fashion, the story occasionally shifts to the backstairs romance between Bechi's butler (Carlo Campanini) and the countess' maid (Laura Gore). The fun really begins when circumstances dictate that the singer and countess impersonate their respective servants. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gino Bechi, Annette Bach, (more)
- 1949
Italian film comedian Toto was usually better than his material. L'Imperator di Capri is one of a handful of films that is truly worthy of Toto's farcical skills. The plot is a familiar one for the star, involving mistaken identity, close shaves, and a dalliance with a beautiful woman. Forced to pose as a visiting Indian prince, Toto does his best to carry off the deception while visiting the island of Capri. This time, he must contend with the amorous advances of two well-proportioned ladies, played by Yvonne Sanson and Marisa Merlini. Writer/director Luigi Comencini manages to extract the best of Toto and his idyllic surroundings in this frantically funny film. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Totò, Yvonne Sanson, (more)
- 1947
The Italian Peddlin' in Society was originally released as Da Bancarella a Bancarotta. Anna Magnani stars as Gioconda, a fruit vendor who supplements her income by trafficking in black-market goods. Making her fortune, Gioconda tries to crash society, leasing a lavish villa for this purpose. Alas, she eventually falls victim to sycophants and leeches who try to use her new social position for their own gain. Vittorio de Sica co-stars as an impoverished count who briefly serves as Anna Magnani's conduit into the Upper Crust. It is clear that both stars were directing themselves, since official director Gennaro Righelli exhibits stylistic uncertainty throughout. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anna Magnani, Vittorio De Sica, (more)
- 1945
His Young Wife is a genteel Italian comedy about the pitfalls of romance. Middle-aged clerk Travet (Carlo Campanini) is the husband of young and very pretty Rosa (Vera Carmi). When Rosa begins a harmless flirtation with Travet's boss (Gino Cervi), rumors begin flying. The upshot of this tempest in a teapot is a fistfight between Travet and his "rival," culminating in the clerk's dismissal. But salvation is at hand in the form of Travet's son-in-law (Domenico Gambino) whom the clerk had previously dismissed as a low-life. Realizing that he's been too hasty in all his judgments, Travet willingly accepts a job at his son-in-law's bakery. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carlo Campanini, Vera Carmi, (more)
