settima

EnzoStaiola

Vulcano [Volcano] (William Dieterle, 1950)

Dec

2

sisters

Vulcano (1950)

Sisters Maria (Geraldine Brooks) and Maddalena (Anna Magnani) Natoli. Lobbycard for the US market. DP: Arturo Gallea.

Sisters, for one of the OPs' sister's birthday.

 

Expelled prostitute Maddalena returns to her home island Vulcano (Salina in disguise) and moves in with her sister Maria. A handsome fisherman becomes first Maria's, then Maddalena's catch.

 

A revenge film à la lettre, but not as you may think. Anna Magnani was cast as the lead for her lover Rossellini's Stromboli (Terra di Dio) (1950), and – after him having set eyes on Ingrid Bergman – was ditched in the latter's favour. While Rossellini fawned over the blonde, Magnani shot “her” film on a neighbouring volcanic island, blowing her former beau's efforts out of the water.

Ladri di biciclette [The Bicycle Thieves] (Vittorio De Sica, 1948)

Apr

11

National Cheese Fondue Day

Ladri di biciclette (1948)

Bruno (Enzo Staiola) eating mozzarella. DP: Carlo Montuori.

Cheese or fondue for National Cheese Fondue Day (USA)

“Do you fancy a pizza? Come on, then! Come on, let's go! What the hell. We might as well go out in style. What's the point in worrying about it all?”

– Antonio Ricci