Emma Gramatica Movies

Broken Love was the English-language title of the Italian musical Cuore Infrantro. The film is a showcase for the splendid singing of Beniamino Gigli, who in 1946 was endeavoring to prove to the world that he hadn't been a WW2 fascist collaborator. Accordingly, the film's storyline is completely apolitical, dealing with a world-famous tenor (Gigli) whose daughter (Camilla Horn) is suffering from a rare heart ailment. The tenor exacerbates his daughter's medical condition when he tries to meddle in her romance with a young bank clerk (Herbert Wilk). Everybody suffers operatically against a lavish backdrop of Venetian canals and Riviera gambling houses. The lachrymose musical climax, lifted from Puccini's La Boheme, is calculated to make sure that there won't be a dry eye in the audience. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Unlike many of director Mario Bonnard's films, which for various reasons took forever to obtain American distributors Jeanne Dore was released in the U.S. only a few months after its Italian premiere. The magnificent Emma Gramatica plays the title character, the mother of handsome young Jacques Dore (Leonardo Cortese). When the gorgeous but selfish Mme. Perodot (Evi Maltagliati) falls into the clutches of an oily moneylender, Jacques nobly comes to her rescue by killing the bounder. As Jacques is sent away for a 20-year prison term, his mother suffers and suffers with silent nobility. The film is designed to contrast the lifestyles of the selfless Jeanne Dore and the avaricious Mme. Perodot, and in this it succeeds; in terms of originality, however, the film doesn't have much to offer outside of Bonnard's always clever direction. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Its title translating as Naples of Former Days, this Italian musical romance takes an bittersweet backward glance at the 19th century. Vittorio de Sica plays Maestro Perla, who hopes to arise from poverty to become a renowned composer and symphony conductor. He is helped along by a mysterious benefactor (Emma Gramatica) who turns out to be his aunt. On the verge of fame and fortune, Perla is disappointed romantically when the family of his wealthy fiancee (Elisa Regard) opposes the impending marriage. Realizing that he'll be happier in his own back yard, Perla returns to his hardscrabble Neapolitan neighborhood and to his childhood sweetheart (Maria Dennis). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Sentenced to a 13-year prison term, Mastrovanni (Camillo Piloto) returns to his family upon his release. Having brought disgrace to his loved ones, poor Mastrovanni is shunned by one and all, and it does no good for him to protest that he was innocent of the crime for which he was blamed. Eventually, he is vindicated, providing a happy ending -- but the bitter taste of his exile remains. Despite heady competition from her elders, child actress Tonino Capitani steals every scene he's in. El Delito di Mastrovanni (The Crime of Mastrovanni) did well in Italy, but proved a bit too verbose for American consumption. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi