Giovanni Grasso, Jr. Movies

An all-star cast graces this Italian "omnibus" feature. The film consists of eight short stories, each based on nostalgic literary efforts. Linking the various stories is bookseller Aldo Fabrizi, who passes the time by reading the works dramatized herein. In "The Excelsior Ball," dancer Alba Arnova arouses the libido of several observers. In "Less Than a Day," a three-hour train delay wreaks havoc on the romance between Arnova and Andrea Checchi. In "Sardinian Drummer Boy," the title character (Enzo Cerusico) becomes an unexpected hero on the battlefield. In "Matter of Interest," two farmers (Arnoldo Foa and Folco Lulli) quarrel over a compost pile. In "The Idyll," two very young people (Maurizio Di Nardo and Geraldina Pariniello) fall in love. "Potpourri of Songs" delivers on its title through the musical versatility of Barbara Florian and Elio Pandolfi. "The Trial of Frine" finds accused murderess Gina Lollobrigida being defended by colorful lawyer Vittorio De Sica. And in "The Trap," an accusatory husband (Amedeo Nazzari) drives his far-from-innocent wife (Elis Cegani) into an act of extreme desperation. Also known as In Olden Days, Altri Tempi was distributed worldwide by RKO Radio. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Actor Aldo Fabrizi did double duty as star and director of the Italian seriocomedy Benevuto, Reverendo! Fabrizi plays a ne'er-do-well who robs a church collection box. To avoid detection, he dons the robes of a priest and slips out right under the parishioners' noses. He escapes to another village, where the locals assume that he's the new priest. Forced to keep up the masquerade, Fabrizi ends up taking his clerical responsibilities very seriously. Fabrizi co-scripted Benvenuto, Revendo! with Piero Tellini. The film was distributed worldwide by 20th Century-Fox. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this Italian melodrama, a young musical prodigy who wants to become a professional finds himself arguing with his wealthy grandfather who wants him to pursue other paths. The boy's dad, a composer with little talent, becomes a clown in Paris so that he can help the lad's mother get custody of the boy from the grandfather. The boy, has other plans. Enlisting the aid of a local priest, the boy organizes a full orchestra which he will conduct during their open-air concert. After the concert the mother and father get back together and the grandfather changes his mind. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

The propagandistic nature of this Italian actioner is implicit in its English-language title, Sentinels of Bronze. The story takes place throughout Italy's colonies in Africa, Somaliland and Mogadiscio, as courageous soldiers defend the borders from scurrilous invaders. In the film's most exciting sequence, a group of Italian soldiers protect the nomad Ogaden tribe from being overwhelmed by a fierce battalion of Amharas. It is suggested herein that the Italian presence in its colonies is vital to safeguard world peace. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide