Renato Rascel Movies

An episodic, funny, though uneven spoof of human manners and foibles, this comedy by Vittorio de Sica begins in Naples when a disembodied voice announces to the city's residents "The Last Judgment will begin at 6:00 p.m." Naturally, not all are immediately willing to accept this statement -- but not for long. As comic vignettes unfold, the good citizens soon become even better as they try to undo past and present sins, just in case. There is a long list of top actors that show up briefly in the story, everyone from Alberto Sordi to Jimmy Durante, Melina Mercouri, Anouk Aimée, Vittorio Gassmann, and many, many others. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

Even though this period drama is leisurely to especially slow in parts, it tells an entertaining story about Policarpo (Renato Rascel), a sincere and honest, low-level clerk in the government bureaucracy. Policarpo, dissatisfied with his salary, is moving through the labyrinth of paperwork necessary to justify and obtain a raise. Even though he refuses to go outside the bounds of the complex system, he begins to take heart when his daughter finally makes a good choice between two suitors. She chooses his boss's son. Though as Policarpo soon finds out, that union may not help him after all. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

Roy Rowland directs the musical Arrivederci Roma (The Seven Hills of Rome), intended as a showcase for the talents of famous operatic tenor Mario Lanza. American singer Marc (Lanza) gets into a fight with his girlfriend, Carol (Peggie Castle). He follows her to Rome in an attempt to win back her affections. On the train, he meets an Italian woman named Rafaella Marini (Marisa Allasio), who is supposed to be moving in with her uncle. Marc gives her a ride and they discover that the uncle has left for South America. With nowhere to go, Rafaella stays with Marc and his cousin Pepe Bonelli (Renato Rascel), which leads to eventual romance. The narrative allows for Lanza to do his serviceable impressions of popular singers like Perry Como, Dean Martin, Louis Armstrong, and many others. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide

Marlene Dietrich and Vittorio De Sica grace this comical yet dramatic Italian tale of a tumultuous love affair between two compulsive gamblers who meet in Monte Carlo. Though both are down on their luck, they dress affluently and that is what attracts them to each other. Romantic sparks fly until they learn the truth about each other. This leads Dietrich to begin an affair with a rich American widower. His teenage daughter falls for De Sica but he feels himself too old for her and rejects her. Eventually Dietrich and the American decide to marry, but before the wedding takes place, De Sica has a major winning streak. But being an addict, he does not know when to stop and begins losing again. Fortunately, his valet intervenes by knocking him unconscious. Later, when he awakens, De Sica vows that he will never gamble again and prepares to go home to his native Naples. When Dietrich learns this she is distraught and realizing she cannot marry the Yankee, tells him the truth about her feelings for De Sica thereby freeing herself to follow him. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Released almost simultaneously with his Ho Scelto L'Amore, Italian funnyman Renato Rascal's Attanasio, Cavallo Vanesio (Attanasio, the Vain Horse) is little more than a photographed stage play. The diminutive star plays a jockey working in the U.S., who dreams of owning his own horse. He realizes this goal with the help of three dizzy Southern belles (the Peters Sisters), but the nag is stolen by crooks. Will Rascel make it to the big race on time? Actually, he has plenty of time, since this lightweight musical comedy runs a full four hours in its original form! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide