Umberto Melnati 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

This film boasts clips of numerous acclaimed actors and actresses of Italy's silent cinema: Francesca Bertini, Lyda Borelli, Eleonora Duse, Antonio Gandusio, Elena Makowska (who also acts in this film), Pina Manichelli, Amleto Novelli, Bartolomeo Pagano, and Ermete Zacconi. They're glimpsed in footage from the collection of a former silent-film actor, Ettore Omeri (Umberto Melnati), who shows them at local schools. The performances of Bertini and Borelli draw laughter from some of the younger members of the audience, provoking an incident at the screening. A woman recognizes herself acting in one of the films Omeri exhibits and takes offense at the derisive reactions. She requests the clip from him and sends her son to obtain it, but while he's visiting the film archive, Omeri's secretary accidentally starts a fire. Omeri is arrested for mishandling dangerous materials, but freed by the help of the wealthy producer who is the husband of the silent-film actress; he gives Omeri work and helps endow his film museum. ~ Nicole Gagne, All Movie Guide

Originally Pazzi di Giola, this romantic comedy was written by Vittorio De Sica, who also plays the leading role of Count Valli. The lightweight story concerns the misadventures of a honeymooning couple (De Sica and Marie Denis) during a motor trip through Southern Italy. Unbeknownst to the bride, her husband is a member of the nobility, a fact that leads to any number of complications and misunderstandings. The supporting characters are relegated to comedy relief, with many of their funnier lines compromised by the unimaginative English-language subtitles. The film's highlight is a dream sequence, replete with a song rendition by the ubiquitous Mr. De Sica. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

La Contessa di Parma was the sole directorial contribution by Allesandro Blasetti in 1937. The first of several expensive costume dramas upon which the director established his international reputation, the film stars Elisa Cegani as Marcella, a model in the dress shop owned by enterprising Umberto Melnati. To improve his business, the owner instructs his models to dress up as society ladies and attend all the best parties. And that's how humble little Marcella comes to be mistaken for the popular Duchess of Parma -- and by extension, how our heroine wins the love of football hero Gino Vanni (Antonio Centa). A little wanting in the way of plot or logic, La Constessa di Parma is at least consistently good to look at. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide