Camillo Mastrocinque Movies
- 1966
One of the last and most interesting Italian horror productions featuring the alluring Barbara Steele, this obscure feature from Crypt of the Vampire director Camillo Mastrocinque apparently never found distribution in English, and dubbed or subtitled prints are all but nonexistent. Steele's character in the film is haunted by a decrepit statue submerged in a lake, whose features look disturbingly like her own. Upon complete restoration of the statue, Steele begins to take on the psychotic traits of the woman upon whom the sculpture was based -- a woman the townspeople believe was a much-feared sorceress of local legend. Curious fans of the sultry horror star will find much to enjoy, even in the Italian-language version -- Steele's magnetic performance and the strong visuals propel the story with or without the minimal dialogue. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi
Christopher Lee heads the cast of the obscure Italian-Spanish scare opera Terror in the Crypt. The setting is an old house (Surprise number one). The house is festooned with secret passages and forbidden rooms (Surprise number two). And some of the residents are practioners of witchcraft (Life's full of surprises). Jose Campos co-stars. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1963
As young and penniless Rik roams about Rome, he finds lady luck on his side for a spell. Not only does he receive a bounty of coins from a weighing machine, but he also wins cash from a restaurant which awards him as its 10,000th customer. Not to mention the car. And the job. And the women. Before long, however, his luck changes, but not before he finds true love with a journalist. ~ Kristie Hassen, Rovi
- Starring:
- Thomas Fritsch, Alexandra Stewart, (more)
- 1962
Nicole Molino (Catherine Spaak) and Nicola Molino (Gianni Garko) are not related to one another. In fact, they don't even know each other until both are inadvertently assigned the same hotel room on the island of Ischia. Nicole isn't interested in any hanky-panky, so Nicola promises to keep his hands to himself. Though this is an Italian picture, the storyline adheres strictly to tried-and-true Hollywood formula, and Nicole and Nicola fall in love. 18 in the Sun was released in the US under the infantile title Beach Party Italian Style; its original Italian title was Diciottenni al Sole. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1961
This steamy potboiler from cult director Camillo Mastrocinque concerns an African-American actor, John (Ben E. Johnson), who comes to Rome in order to star in a production of Othello. He falls in love with pretty Anna (Anna Vita), the actress playing Desdemona. John has a dangerous rival in Alberto (Paul Muller), Anna's conniving manager, who is out for her money. Alberto learns that John served seven years in prison for raping a white girl and tells Anna, who breaks off their relationship in disgust. The truth of the matter is that the girl was really raped by Sam (William Demby), whom Alberto promptly murders to cover his tracks. After a fight, John runs for his life, believing that he has killed Alberto. He is on the verge of suicide when Anna finds him, finally having learned the truth. Future director Adalberto Albertini was one of the cameramen for this exploitative melodrama. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi
- 1958
Domenica e Sempre Domenica (Sunday is Always Sunday) is one of several late-1950s films to be based on a successful TV series. In this instance, the program is Il Muschiere, which in 1958 was one of the most popular attractions on Italy's RAI-TV network. Il Muschiere was a game show, in which contestants returned on a weekly basis for ever-increasing cash prizes (sound familiar?) The film purports to depict the preparations made by the program's participants for their "big moment". Some of the funniest and most poignant vignettes are offered by Vittorio De Sica as a near-bankrupt paterfamilias and Alberto Sordi as a compulsive contestant. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Alberto Sordi, Vittorio De Sica, (more)
- 1958
If Hollywood could put the names of Abbott and Costello in the titles of the team's pictures, why couldn't Italy honor its favorite actors in a similar fashion. Toto, Vittorio e la Dotoressa stars that matchless Italian comic actor Toto, matinee idol/director Vittorio De Sica, and, as Dotoressa, sultry American songstress Abbe Lane. The plot concerns the misadventures of Dotoressa, a Neopolitan doctor who is pursued by a pair of her wackiest patients (DeSica and German Cobos). Frantically, Dotoressa turns to private detective Toto for help--and that's her first mistake. Adding to the general hilarity is up-and-coming slapstick comedian Darry Cowl in a supporting role. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Vittorio De Sica, Totò, (more)
- 1957
In this drama, a woman marries a lawyer who is endeavoring to do all he can to stay on the good side of his wealthy aunts so he will inherit their fortunes. When the bride begins acting strangely and going places at odd times, the aunts hire a private detective to shadow her. He learns that she has been secretly meeting with a doctor, and he suspects the worst. In the end, all is cleared up when the bride reveals that she is pregnant. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
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