Ermanno Randi Movies
- 1952
Cliff of Sin was originally released in Italy as La Scogliera del Peccato. Margaret Genske plays Stella, the wayward wife of misanthropic millionaire Silvano (Gino Cervi). Hoping to enjoy his money without enduring his company, Stella murders Silvano with poison. To further replenish her coffers, she inveigles fisherman Paolo (Ermanno Randi) into a smuggling racket. When Paolo's brother Michele (Otello Toso) shows up to save the younger man from a life of crime, Michele too is entrapped in Stella's web. Evidently, only an act of God can prevent Stella from further misdeeds--and that's just what does stop her. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gino Cervi, Margaret Genske, (more)
- 1952
Belying its title, the Italian Brief Rapture runs a full 80 minutes. Canadian actress Lois Maxwell--better known to a later generation as Miss Moneypenny in the "James Bond" series--stars as a drug-addicted nightclub singer named Erika. Hopelessly enmeshed in the activities of a narcotics ring, Erika is forced to make love to Stefano (Ermanno Randi), a young farmer who threatens to blow the whistle on the authorities. Originally intending to deflect Stefano from his purpose, Erika falls genuinely in love with the incorruptible young man. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lois Maxwell, Ermanno Randi, (more)
- 1951
Not long before MGM embarked upon its musical biopic The Great Caruso, the Italian Enrico Caruso, Leggenda di Una Voce made the American distribution rounds. Maurizio di Nardo plays famed tenor Caruso as a boy, while Ermanno Randi takes over the role in adulthood. The film makes no pretense at accuracy; indeed, an introductory title describes the plot as "a poetic interpretation of [Caruso's] youth." When it was released in the U.S., Enrico Caruso was retitled to The Young Caruso and promoted on the basis of one of its leading ladies, the fabulous Gina Lollobrigida. In fact, in some markets, the third-billed Lollobrigida was promoted as the film's above-the-title star. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ermanno Randi, Gina Lollobrigida, (more)
- 1950
Vespro Siciliano has its roots in a true story. In 1821, the Sicilian people staged a revolt against the provisional leader and his occupying army. In this cinemazation, Roldano Lupi stars as legendary Sicilian patriot Giovanni da Procida. Paul Muller co-stars as the villainous leader, who is drawn in broad, wholly evil strokes. Clearly a labor of love for all concerned, Vespro Siciliano was lavishly produced on the scale of a super-spectacular. By its very nature, the film's audience appeal was limited, though it enjoyed a healthy second life on American television. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marina Berti, Clara Calamai, (more)
- 1950
I Fuorilegge was based on the career of the late and unlamented Sicilian bandit chieftain Giuliamo. Ermanno Randi plays the Giuliamo counterpart, here renamed Cosimo. The film unfolds in a sketchy, anecdotal fashion, concluding with a reasonably faithful recreation of the events leading up to the bandit's capture. In the film, Cosimo is killed by the police; in real life, Giuliamo was still alive--but not for long. For box-office insurance, Vittorio Gassman and Umberto Spadaro appear in secondary roles. Though director Aldo Vergano made no secret of sentiments in his previous films, I Fuorilegge is admirably objective, permitting the viewer to decide whether Giuliamo was hero or villain. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vittorio Gassman, Umberto Spadaro, (more)
