Margherita Bagni Movies

Can a good man tame a woman on the wrong side of the law? Paolo (Marcello Mastroianni) is a slightly clumsy cab driver who, not long after being issued a new vehicle, picks up an interesting fare -- a strikingly beautiful young woman, Lina (Sophia Loren), who is going to the beach with two of her boyfriends. When they arrive at the seashore, Lina invites Paolo to join them, but he soon discovers Lina is simply working her charm on him so her friends can steal his cab. Paolo takes up the matter with the police, but Lina's profoundly silly explanation of the events makes him wonder if he simply misinterpreted the whole thing. However, after meeting Lina's dignified father Stroppiani (Vittorio De Sica), Paolo discovers that both father and daughter are thieves, as is the rest of the family. As Paolo unsuccessfully tries to bring the family to justice, he finds himself falling for the beauteous Lina, and decides to marry her, certain that matrimony will bring her to the straight and narrow. Peccato Che Sia una Canaglia (released in America as Too Bad She's Bad) marked the first time Sophia Loren (then only twenty years old) was co-starred with her frequent screen partner Marcello Mastroianni; they would eventually make thirteen pictures together. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Ho Scelto L'Amore (I Chose Love) is a satire of the Cold War, Italian style. Soviet flunkey Boris Popovitch (Renato Rascal) is sent on a goodwill mission to Rome, where he is to deliver a symbolic dove of peace to a group of WW II freedom fighters. Somehow or other, Boris winds up in Venice minus the dove. As he searches up street and down canal for the missing bird, he meets and falls in love with luscious flower-girl Maria (Marisa Pavan). Through her, Boris discovers the joys and benefits of democracy. Ho Scelto L'Amore is basically fill-in-the-blanks stuff, but it's fun while it lasts. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Long before Amadeus, the life story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was committed to celluloid in the Italian Eternal Melodies. Gino Cervi stars as Mozart, the former child prodigy who reaches the heights of operatic fame in the 18th century, only to be buried in a pauper's grave after his premature death at age 37. There's no "Salieri" to plague Mozart in this film: instead, the story concentrates on a romantic triangle involving the composer and the two lovely Weber sisters, Aloisia (Conchita Montenegro) and Costanza (Luisella Beghi). Betrayed by Aloisia, Mozart finds solace in the arms of Costanza. Though historical accuracy is hardly a consideration in Eternal Melodies, the film is redeemed by its all-Mozart musical score. The film was originally released in Italy in 1940 as Melodie Eterne. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Thirty Seconds of Love is the English-language title for this romantic trifle. The plot is as "naughty" as the title, with heroine Grazia (Elsa Merlini) racing from one brief amorous assignation to another. Nothing of a questionable nature is shown on-screen, but the dialogue has more innuendoes than an episode of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In. Among Grazia's swains are handsome young Nino Besozzi and comic-relief dentist Enrico Viarisio. Trenta Secondi d'Amore was released in the U.S. the same week as another Mario Bonnard-directed effort L'Amore Che Canta. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Prolific actor/director Mario Bonnard had another winner on his hands with L'Alberio di Adamo (Adam's Tree). Despite its title, the film is not Biblical in nature -- rather, "Adam's Tree" is the name bestowed upon a small tree in a small Italian town, under which two young lovers were once discovered commiserating romantically. Since that time, the tree has become a rendezvous for every would-be Adam and Eve in the vicinity; thus, when handsome young Baldi is seen driving the beautiful widow Matilde in the direction of the tree, everyone misunderstands the circumstances. As the rumors catch fire and burn out of control, the person who suffers most is the respectable Dr. Lombardi, in whose automobile Baldi and Matilde were driving. There's a happy ending when Dr. Lombardi's "notoriety" makes him world famous -- and, for the first time in his life, a desirable soul-mate for many a gorgeous damsel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide