Marisa Merlini Movies

There could be no more disparate people than Olga (Francesca deSapio), temporarily separated from her husband, and Regina (Fantu Mengasha), her Ethiopian maid and nanny. Although from different social and ethnic groups, Olga and Regina eventually become friends and help each other out in times of need. Regina keeps Olga's two feet firmly planted on the ground when she is ready to whirl out of orbit with an oddball mother, a husband who wants to be back with her, and a lover. And Olga returns the favor to Regina, helping her find her brother in some of the seedier sides of Rome. Their friendship is challenged when Olga's husband returns to live at home, and Regina is dismissed. Their relationship does not end there, as Regina turns up some time later, pregnant and in need of Olga's help. The time has come to test the depth of their friendship. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

Les Charlots romp onto the screen again in this French comedy, which has the comic musicians serving as soldiers who actively support a peasant family who are resisting forced eviction by the army. Among other conflicts they have with their long-suffering sergeant is that he thinks their hair is much too long. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

The Pizza Triangle is a freewheeling satire of Italian mores, hilarious despite its outwardly morbid plotline. The murder of flower girl Monica Vitti triggers a long flashback involving Vitti, middle-aged Communist bricklayer Marcello Mastrioanni, and young pizza chef Giancarlo Giannini. The married Mastrioanni falls in love with Vitti, but Giannini gets in the way. A fight results, after which the girl is hospitalized. Declaring a truce, the three lovers move in together, allowing Vitti tie to decide whom she loves best. The subsequent discord nearly results in the girl's suicide; she moves out and takes up with butcher Hercules Cortes, but returns to Gianinni when he attempts suicide. The now unemployed and unmarried Mastrioanni shows up, and when Vitti refuses again to commit herself to any one man, another fight results--this time ending in Vitti's death. Also released as A Drama of Jealousy and Jealousy Italian Style, The Pizza Triangle was originally shown in Italy as Dramma della Gelosia--Tutti i Particolari in Cronaca. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When he's given an ancient Chinese medallion, a photographer (Robert Stack) has no idea that it contains a map which leads to a former emperor's treasure horde. Unfortunately, several nefarious elements are aware of the fact. The film was originally titled Hell to Macao. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide

Marcello (Charles Abnavour) is a traveling Frenchman who is stranded in Rome. Although he knows nothing about the Eternal City, he becomes a tour guide. His activities pique the interest of a pretty local girl, a reclusive rich man, and a society grand dame who takes a special interest in the gentle Marcello. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide

While this effective film may ostensibly be a thriller about the robbery of an armored vehicle, considerable black comedy ensnares the action in many places. Ginny (Nadja Tiller) is an enigmatic German woman cons a gang of crooks into robbing an armored car bound for France containing a US Army payroll. The crooks plan to stage a phony car crash to lure the guard out of the truck. They then plan to commandeer the truck, drive it to a carnival ground and open the vault in private. The demonic device has booby traps for boobies who plan to open it, and though tragedy and death are the result of the thieves' botched heist, they lose a little of their meaning to the battle with the box. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

This engaging slice of neorealism stars Marcello Mastroianni as "Il Medico" (The Doctor) and Vittorio de Sica as "Lo Stregone" (The Healer). Setting up practice in a backward, provincial village, Mastroianni finds that he can make no headway with the superstitious townsfolk so long as faith-healer De Sica holds them in thrall. A battle of wills ensues, which at first is won by De Sica. But when a medical crisis arises, it is Mastroianni who comes out on top. The feminine angle is provided by Marisa Merlini. Thanks to the drawing power of its two male stars, Il Medico e lo Stregone was well distributed in the U.S. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this drama, a doctor and his nurse begin working on a new technique for childbirth. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

In this sequel to Bread, Love, and Dreams a fortyish man gets himself in trouble with his wife who suspects him of messing around with a sexy woman. Unfortunately, he is innocent. His attempts to prove it form the basis for the story. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Gli Angeli del Quartiere (Angels of the District) concentrates on five lovable Italian war orphans. Living a hand-to-mouth existence, the children are elated to discover a bagful of money in a cellar. Wondering where best to spend their treasure, the kids are "advised" by adult thief Mario (Jacques Sernas), who intends to grab all the loot for himself. Ultimately, however, Mario is reformed by the quintet of urchins--though his old gang doesn't quite see things in this new light. Obviously aimed at the kiddie-matinee trade, Gli Angeli del Quartiere delivers a solid 78 minutes' worth of heartwarming entertainment. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide