Gino Leurini Movies
- 1953
Camicie Rosse (Red Shirts) was released in most markets as Anita Garibaldi, in deference to the star status of Anna Magnani. The actress plays the wife of the great Italian patriot Garibaldi, who at the beginning of the film hovers on the brink of death, harking back to past glories. Most of the story deals with the European political upheavals of 1848-49, and Garibaldi's participation in these earth-shattering events. Raf Vallone stars as Garibaldi, while the stellar supporting cast includes Alain Cuny, Jacques Sernas, Serge Reggiani and Michel Auclair. According to some reports, Auclair was supposed to have played Garibaldi, but was replaced by Vallone when the film's initial director, Goffriedo Allesandri, was put out of commission by an auto accident (Allesandrishares screen credit with Franco Rosi, who completed the film). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Anna Magnani, Raf Vallone, (more)
Leonora Ruffo is the exotically garbed title character in the Italian costume spectacle The Queen of Sheba. In the original Scriptures, Sheba and Israel's King Solomon merely exchanged gifts and parted company. Naturally, the filmmakers "improve" upon the story, with Prince Rehoboam (Gino Leurini), the handsome son of the ageing Solomon (Gino Cervi), falling in love with the Queen while he tries to ferret out Sheba's war plans. This results in a hot-and-heavy romantic triangle involving the Prince, the Queen, and someone named Princess Zymira (Marina Berti). All the usual Biblical-epic cliches are in attendance, including the heroine's obligatory milk bath. At one time a staple of American television Late Late Shows, The Queen of Sheba was temporarily withdrawn from circulation in 1959 to avoid competition with the Yul Brynner-Gina Lollobrigida starrer Solomon and Sheba. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Leonora Ruffo, Gino Leurini, (more)
- 1950
Heart and Soul is actually an Italian variation on Goodbye, Mr. Chips. Vittorio de Sica plays a provincial schoolmaster, much beloved by his past and present students. We follow De Sica as he stands steadfastly at his post throughout the years, during which time he is aided and abetted by his adoring assistant teacher Maria Mercader. Emphasis is given to the war years, when De Sica is suspended for his political beliefs. Though Vittorio De Sica is frequently credited as the director of Heart and Soul, that responsibility was in the hands of Duilio Coletti. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Vittorio De Sica, Maria Mercader, (more)
- 1949
Domani e Troppo Tardi is the first of two Leonide Moguy films dealing with the travails of postwar Italian life; the second was Domani e un altro Giorno. The story concerns the efforts to provide a proper sex education for youngsters. Progressive schoolteachers Landi (Vittorio de Sica) and Anna (Lois Maxwell) have a profound influence on two of their young students, Mirella (Anna Maria Pierangeli) and Franco (Gino Leuri). The two kids are enamored of one another, and decide to experiment with some of the knowledge they've gleaned in the classroom...with devastating results. Eighteen-year-old Anna Maria Pierangeli, who makes her film debut in Domani e Troppo Tardi and also appeared in Domani e un altro Giorno, later changed her professional name to Pier Angeli. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Vittorio De Sica, Lois Maxwell, (more)
