Alida Valli Movies

Several years before she was "discovered" by Hollywood, Alida Valli headed the cast of the minor comedy-fantasy Ballo al Castello (Ball at the Castle). While on her way to dance class, ballerina Greta Larsen (Valli) is given a ride by the handsome Crown Prince Giorgio (Carlo Lombardi). Though it's all very innocent, gossiping tongues begin wagging and before long Greta has been identified as the Prince's latest love. As a result, Greta, who was about to be dropped from her ballet troupe because of her habitual tardiness, is suddenly elevated to prima ballerina status. When she finds out that her promotion has nothing to do with her rather minimal talent, Greta is sorely disappointed, but she determines to keep her job by pretending that she is, indeed, the Prince's lady. Not surprisingly, Greta and Giorgio have fallen in love for real by the time the "End" title (or "Fin" title) flashes on the screen. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this Italian drama, a wealthy snob of a college girl is the head of her sorority, but turns out to be a wretched student. To save herself from failing chemistry (she had already failed almost every other class), the girl makes a pass at her handsome professor. The girl finds a rival in another co-ed who also wants the professor. Things are tense for a while, but when the rival is involved in an accident, it is the socialite who shares her blue blood for a life-saving transfusion. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

The popular 19th-century French theatrical piece The Two Orphans has been filmed several times, most memorably by D. W. Griffith's Orphans of the Storm (1921). Italian filmmaker Carmine Gallone's adaptation of Two Orphans dispenses with the French Revolution trappings added by Griffith, returning to the original continuity as written by A. Dermeri. Alida Valli stars as Henrietta, who moves Heaven and Earth to rescue her blind sister Louisa (Maria Denis) from kidnappers. While Louisa is forced to beg in the streets, Henrietta must fend off the unwanted advances of lecherous noblemen. Osvaldo Valenti co-stars as Pietro, a nice aristocrat who champions the cause of the two orphans. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Adapted to the stage and screen several times since its inception in the 19th century, Honore de Balzac's romantic tragedy Eugenie Grandet was given another cinematic go-round by Italian filmmaker Mario Soldati in 1946. Alida Valli plays the title character, a naïve young woman who refuses to heed her father's advice in affairs of the heart. Eugenie believes that her beloved cousin Charles (Gualtiero Tumiati) is above reproach, insisting upon sending him money when his father commits suicide. Charles repays Eugenie's love and loyalty by betraying her at the first opportunity, leading to the story's doleful finale. Eugenie Grandet represented Alida Valli's final European production before her Hollywood debut in Hitchcock's The Paradine Case. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Casting Frank Sinatra as a Pennsylvania priest is but one of the many miscalculations made by the producers of Miracle of the Bells. Adapted by Ben Hecht and Quentin Reynolds from the best-selling novel by Russell Janney, the story revolves around an aspiring actress named Olga Treskovna (Alida Valli). Escaping the sooty environs of Coaltown, Pennsylvania, Olga heads to Hollywood, where through a series of incredible circumstances she manages to land the highly coveted leading role in a film based on the life of Joan of Arc. Tragically, Olga dies suddenly after wrapping up the film's final scene. Producer Marcus Harris (Lee J. Cobb) wants to reshoot the film with another, better-known actress, rather than risk losing a fortune on an "unknown" whom he can no longer groom for stardom. But press agent Bill Dunnigan (Fred MacMurray), who has journeyed to Coaltown to learn Olga's life story, tries to persuade Harris to release Joan of Arc as filmed, and to this end he enlists the aid of local priest Father Paul (Sinatra). To show their support for the late, lamented Olga, all the churches of all denominations in Coaltown ring their bells, nonstop, for three days. This man-made miracle not only convinces Harris to change his mind, but leads to a genuine miracle at the fadeout. Reviewers were unanimous in condemning Miracle of the Bells as a pretentious failure: the kindest comments ranged from "mawkish" to "nauseating." The picture hasn't improved much with age, but should be seen at least once on the strength of its cast alone. If it is seen, however, it's best to stick with the original black-and-white version and avoid the colorized TV print. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this Cold War spy classic, Holly Martins (Joseph Cotten), a third-rate American pulp novelist, arrives in postwar Vienna, where he has been promised a job by his old friend Harry Lime (Orson Welles). Upon his arrival, Martins discovers that Lime has been killed in a traffic accident, and that his funeral is taking place immediately. At the graveside, Martins meets outwardly affable Major Calloway (Trevor Howard) and actress Anna Schmidt (Alida Valli), who is weeping copiously. When Calloway tells Martins that the late Harry Lime was a thief and murderer, the loyal Martins is at first outraged. Gradually, he discovers not only that Calloway was right but also that the man lying in the coffin in the film's early scenes was not Harry Lime at all--and that Lime is still very much alive (he was the mysterious "third man" at the scene of the fatal accident). Thus the stage is set for the movie's famous climactic confrontation in the sewers of Vienna--and the even more famous final shot, in which Martins pays emotionally for doing "the right thing." Written by Graham Greene, The Third Man is an essential classic, made even more so by the insistent zither music of Anton Karas. The film is currently available in both an American and British release version; the American print, with an introduction by Joseph Cotten, is slightly shorter than the British version, which is narrated by director Carol Reed. Nominated for several Academy Awards, The Third Man won Best Cinematography for Robert Krasker. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Joseph Cotten stars in Walk Softly, Stranger as Chris Hale, a fugitive criminal who decides to hide out in a small Midwestern town. Here, Hale makes the acquaintance of Elaine Corelli (Alida Valli), who has had a grudge against the world since being crippled in a skiing accident. While endeavoring to help Elaine come out of her shell, Hale falls in love with her, and vows to mend his own ways. Though not released until 1950, Walk Softly, Stranger was filmed in 1948, a year before Joseph Cotten and Alida Valli were teamed in the more celebrated The Third Man. Future talk-show host Jack Paar appears in a fascinating supporting role as a suburban hubby. Walk Softly, Stranger was the last co-production between RKO and David O. Selznick's Vanguard Films. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide