Rossano Brazzi Movies
Bologna-born Rosanno Brazzi abandoned his law studies at San Marco University when his parents were killed by fascists. Becoming an actor, Brazzi rapidly rose to matinee-idol status after his film debut in 1939; but while making faces before the Mussolini-controlled cameras by day, he was tirelessly active in the Resistance by night. He made his first Hollywood film, Little Women, in 1949, but it was his multi-hued portrayal of the impotent Count Vincenzo Toriato-Faurini in The Barefoot Contessa (1954) that won him international stardom. He went on to play such suave Europeans as Renato di Rossi in Summertime (1955) and Emile DeBecque in South Pacific (1958), after which his film roles tended to become routine and repetitive. An occasional visitor to television after his first small-screen appearance on a 1960 episode of The June Allyson Show, Brazzi was a regular on the Harold Robbins-created series The Survivors (1969), playing Onassis clone Antaeus Riakos. Turning to directing in the mid-1960s (sometimes under the nom de film of Edward Ross), Brazzi's best-known effort in this capacity was the modest family-oriented film The Christmas That Almost Wasn't (1966). From 1940 to 1981, Rosanno Brazzi was the husband of actress Lidia Bartalini; after her death, he married another actress, Ilse Fischer. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1940
This troubled film version of the Puccini opera was begun by Jean Renoir while lecturing in Italy at the invitation of dictator Benito Mussolini. After only a few scenes had been shot, Italy entered WW II and Renoir had to flee, leaving his assistant Carl Koch to complete the film. The familiar plot takes place in the Rome of 1800, where opera diva Floria Tosca (Imperio Argentina) falls in love with a painter, Cavaradossi (Rossano Brazzi). The artist had previously helped Tosca's brother, Angelotti (Massimo Girotti) -- a resistance leader -- escape from the evil police chief Scarpia (Michel Simon). Scarpia arrests Cavaradossi, leading Tosca to decide to surrender herself to him in exchange for her beloved's freedom. Simon is outstanding as the nasty police chief, and Ubaldo Arata's black-and-white cinematography is nice to look at, but the film in general is a rather flat treatment of a compelling story. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi
- Starring:
- Imperio Argentina, Michel Simon, (more)
- 1942
Based on the book by Ayn Rand, this Italian film follows the struggles of a young Russian woman, Kira Argounova (Alida Valli), who must become involved with a member of the Soviet secret police, even though she is repulsed by everything he stands for. The relationship she has with this man provides her with the money she needs to support her ill lover (Rossano Brazzi). This movie was originally released as two separate films, Noi Vivi and Addio Kira, and is in Italian with English subtitles. ~ Iotis Erlewine, Rovi
- Starring:
- Alida Valli, Rossano Brazzi, (more)
- 1942
This film is the first western ever made in Italy. It tells the tale of a young saloon dancer who inadvertently gets romantically involved with the man who killed her husband and framed her recent lover. She accepts his advances until she learns the truth. She then returns to her lover and discovers that he has been married all along. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- 1945
Better known as one of Italy's most visionary producers, Giuseppe Amato was also a director of considerable skill. Filmed in 1945, Amato's Malia was released in the U.S. in 1952, on the coattails of his internationally successful Umberto D. Though Rosanno Brazzi is top-billed in the American version, the film's real star is Gino Cervi, cast as a Sicilian priest. Fighting strenuously against the ancient superstitions which hold his parishioners in thrall, the priest finds himself at odds with a local soothsaying quack (Virginia Balistreri). The ultimate test of religion vs. mysticism takes place when the priest tries to help a young girl suffering from malaria. Hemstitched into the proceedings is a gratuitous romantic triangle involving new a bride (Maria Denis), her philandering husband (Rosanno Brazzi), and her impressionable sister (Anna Proclamer). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Rossano Brazzi, Anna Proclemer, (more)
- 1946
Before turning to horror pictures, Italian filmmaker Riccardo Freda directed some of the finest costume epics of the postwar era. Filmed in 1946 as Aquila Nera, Freda's Return of the Black Eagle made it to American screens in 1949. Based on a story by Alexander Pushkin, the film concerns the exploits of a Russian soldier who wreaks vengeance against an evil landowner by assuming the guise of a masked bandit. Rossano Brazzi stars as Vladimir Dubrowski, aka the Black Eagle, while Irasema Dilian is his beloved Masha, daughter of his bitter enemy Kirila (Gino Cervi, cast in an uncharacteristically unsympathetic role). The swashbuckling and derring-do is leavened by a few welcome moments of humor, especially when Brazzi disguises himself as a wimpy French tutor. Return of the Black Eagle could have benefited from Technicolor, though the black-and-white photography of Rodolfo Lombardi is fine in its own way. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Rossano Brazzi, Irasema Dilian, (more)
- 1946
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, Rovi
- Starring:
- Rossano Brazzi, Renée Faure, (more)
- 1947
A lesser but fascinating example of earthy postwar neorealism, Furia stars Isa Pola as Clara, the randy wife of horse-breeder Oreste (Gino Cervi). Whenever the opportunity presents itself, Clara cheats on her husband in the arms of Oreste's stud-keeper Antonio (Rossano Brazzi). Meanwhile, moronic stablehand Rocco (Umberto Spadaro) lusts after both Clara and Oreste's daughter by a previous marriage, the virginal Marietta (Adriana Bennetti). And meanwhile, Clara and Marietta jealousy vie for the attentions of Oreste, who spends most of his time trying to prove that his wife is an adulterer. At this point, the viewer will prognosticate that one or more of the characters will meet a bad end-and the viewer will be right. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Isa Pola, Rossano Brazzi, (more)
- 1947
In keeping with its title, The Story of Tosca is more beholden to the original Victorien Sardou novel than the Giacomo Puccini opera. Imperio Argentina plays Tosca, the popular singer who falls in love with freedom-fighting Cavaradossi (Rossano Brazzi) during the Napoleonic era. Accused of pro-Jacobin sentiments by bush-league dictator Scarpia (Michel Simon), Cavaradossi is arrested and sentenced to death. Using her amorous wiles, Tosca tries to arrange a reprieve for her lover, only to be double-crossed by Fate at the finale. A few of Puccini's original melodies seep through the melodrama, as well as a handful of arias, lip-synced by the three stars and performed in actuality by Mafaldo Tavero and Ferrucio Tagliavini (both of whom are given prominent screen credit). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Imperio Argentina, Michel Simon, (more)
- 1947
The King's Jester is a non-musical Italian film version of the tragic opera Rigoletto. While we hear no vocal renditions of "Caro Nome" and "La Donna e Mobile", those songs, along with the rest of Verdi's score, can be heard as incidental music. French character actor Michel Simon stars as the hunchbacked jester Rigoletto, whose thirst for revenge motivates the story. When Rigoletto's daughter Gilda (Maria Mecarder) is seduced by the Count, the jester plots to set up the nobleman to be killed--but it is the long-suffering Gilda who ends up the victim of Rigoletto's machinations. Exceptionally well photographed by Ubaldo Arata, The King's Jester was a success in both Italy and the US, where it was sometimes run under its original title Rigoletto. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Michel Simon, Rossano Brazzi, (more)
- 1948
The Italian historical melodrama Il Diavolo Bianco (The White Devil) is set in the Caucaucus in the mid-19th century. The title character is a masked swashbuckler who intends to free his homeland from a despotic provincial governor. In time-honored fashion, Il Diavolo Bianco spends his days in the guise of a foppish, ring-kissing courtier to the selfsame governor. It's Scarlet Pimpernel Italian style, and it's good. Rossano Brazzi reportedly landed a Hollywood film contract on the strength of his starring performance in Il Diavolo Bianco. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Rossano Brazzi, Annette Bach, (more)
- 1948
Filmed and released in Italy in 1945, La Resa di Titi was brought to America three years later under the title A Merry Chase. Though billed third, Rosanno Brazzi essays the leading role of foreign-embassy aide Guido. The plot is a bit of frivolity concerning the romance between two dogs which escalates into an international political crisis. The "human" subplot is carried by Guido, who carries on his own romance with a married socialite named Paola (Clara Calamai). A Merry Chase was one of several Rosanno Brazzi films released in the U.S. after his move to Hollywood in 1948. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Clara Calamai, Rossano Brazzi, (more)
Of the many film versions of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women, this 1949 MGM adaptation is by far the prettiest. Set in New England during the Civil War, the film relates the various adventures of the March sisters: Jo (June Allyson), Beth (Margaret O'Brien), Amy (Elizabeth Taylor) and Meg (Janet Leigh). Jo emerges as the main character, as she leaves hearth and home to try her luck as a novelist in New York. Moments of high comedy (the sisters' amateur theatricals) are counterpointed with grim tragedy (the death of the youngest March girl), with romantic interludes provided by the faithless Laurie (Peter Lawford) and the loyal Professor Bhaer (Rossano Brazzi). Unlike Selznick's 1933 Little Women or Gillian Armstrong's 1994 adaptation, this 1949 version tends to be more an extension of the old Hollywood contract-player typecasting system than a heartfelt evocation of the Alcott original. Even so, Little Women is consistently pleasing to the eye, especially when seen in its original Technicolor hues. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- June Allyson, Peter Lawford, (more)
- 1950
Released in Italy in 1950, Volcano didn't receive widespread American distribution until it was picked up by United Artists in 1953. The film is a standard "smoldering passions" yarn, with the ubiquitous Anna Magnani in the lead. In accordance with postwar Italian law, prostitute Maddelena Natoli (Magnani) is sentenced to spend the rest of her life in disgrace in her hometown. Returning to the island of Vulcano, Maddelena tries to connect with her younger sister (Geraldine Brooks) and brother (Enzo Stajola), who greet her with hostility. Her only solace is the love of deep-sea diver Donato (Rosanno Brazzi), whose own past is as checkered as Maddelena's. The story is resolved by Mother Nature herself, during a spectacular volcanic eruption. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Anna Magnani, Rossano Brazzi, (more)
- 1950
Valentina Cortese's star continued to rise with the period melodrama Bullet for Stefano (Il Passatore). Cortese plays Barbara, whose wedding is interrupted when dashing brigand Stefano (Rossano Brazzi) kills the groom and abducts the bride. Eventually, Stefano tires of Barbara, and casts her aside. But she is not to be dispensed with so easily. Rallying the peasantry, Barbara sets the wheels in motion for Stefano's destruction. Curiously, despite his wretched behavior, there is a certain amount of sympathy for Stefano, who is a thief only because he wishes to help the poor. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Valentina Cortese, Rossano Brazzi, (more)
- 1951
Incantesimo Tragico (Tragic Spell) is a sombre Italian vehicle for the magnificent Mexican film luminary Maria Felix. The story is motivated by an ancient curse, passed from generation to generation. The source of the hex is a fabulous treasure, which of course eventually falls into the hands of Felix. Will she be able to beat the curse, or has her fate already been hermetically sealed? When Incantesimo Tragico was released in the U.S., the advertising emphasized Maria Felix's popular co-star Rosanno Brazzi, who was then being give the Big Buildup in preparation for his sojourn in Hollywood. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Maria Felix, Rossano Brazzi, (more)
- 1952
In this drama, set in Italy during 1889, a young doctor meets and falls for the daughter of a renowned medical professor. The professor does not approve of the affair and suggests that the young medic leave Rome. The physician then goes to Obetello, and there he discovers a radical, but successful treatment for malaria. Trouble ensues when he spurns the advances of an amorous neighbor. For revenge she begins blaming the current malaria epidemic upon him. As a result he is tried and sentenced to four years in prison for using unorthodox methods. His medical license is also revoked. In jail, he is promoted to orderly. He promptly inoculates himself against the dread disease using his own treatment. He soon proves his innocence and is acquitted of all crimes. He then returns to Rome to marry his true love. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
Adapted by playwright John Patrick from a novel by famed globetrotter/filmmaker John H. Secondari, Three Coins in the Fountain offers the splendors of Rome in Technicolor, CinemaScope and Stereophonic Sounds. For all its lovely picture-postcard images, the film is at base a reworking of 20th Century-Fox' favorite plotline: three pretty girls on the prowl for husbands. The three lovelies, who toss their coins in the Trevi fountain and wish for romance, include Dorothy McGuire, Jean Peters and Maggie McNamara. Before the film is over, secretary McGuire has wooed her boss, Clifton Webb, Peters has won the heart of a co-worker Italian translator Rossano Brazzi (despite being fired, in the process, for having an office romance); and McNamara finds happiness with prince Louis Jourdan. Three Coins in the Fountain won two Academy Awards: "Best Color Cinematography" (Milton Krasner), and "Best Song" (written by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen, and sung in the pre-credits sequence by an uncredited Frank Sinatra). The film was remade in 1965 as The Pleasure Seekers, and also served as the basis for a never-sold TV pilot starring Yvonne Craig, Cynthia Pepper and Joanna Moore. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Clifton Webb, Dorothy McGuire, (more)
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