Furio Scarpelli — Playwright (48)
Come Home and Meet My Wife (1974) [Movie] IMDb TMDB Douban Eggplant.place
Romanzo popolare
director: Mario Monicelli actor: Ugo Tognazzi / Ornella Muti
other title: Romanzo popolare / Romances et Confidences
50 year old Giulio and his 17 year old goddaughter, Vincenzina, fall madly in love with each other and soon are wed. Unfortunately for Giulio he walks in on his friend and Vincenzina upon a return from a trip. His jealousy and anger get the best of him and he kicks his wife out of the house. Years pass and Giulio decides to rekindle the lover affair with Vincenzina.
We Want the Colonels (1973) [Movie] WikiData IMDb TMDB
Vogliamo i colonnelli
other title: 우리는 대령을 원한다 / Nous voulons les colonels
Italy 1973. Giuseppe Tritoni (Ugo Tognazzi) is an ultra-right-wing congressman that doesn't agree anymore with his fascist party policy. He contacts many Italian Army officers and built a net of relationship in order to organize a Coup d'Etat (Golpe). Something goes wrong and the Interior Minister (Home Secretary) Mr. Li Masi (Lino Pugliesi) got the all information about the attempted Golpe. So the Minister organizes a counter-Golpe. Tritoni desperately, to save his project, kidnaps the Italian Republic President (Claude Dauphin) that immediately dies for heartache. Now Minister Mr. Li Masi is free to lay down the law to the rest of the country, realizing basically the actual Golpe! Tritoni surrenders and will spend rest of his time trying to sell his ideas about managing Golpe in Africa!
The Monsters (1963) [Movie] IMDb TMDB Douban Skybridge
I mostri
director: 迪诺·里西 actor: 乌戈·托尼亚齐 / 维托里奥·加斯曼
other title: I mostri / 怪物
The myths of the sixties are satirized in 20 episodes.
Most of the patrons of the good cinema know that Italian film industry has always been at the forefront of serious as well as good cinema movement.So by that yardstick,it is important to make a note of Italian comedy.This was one of the most interesting chapters of Italian cultural life after the dreadful harsh realities of the treacherous World War 2.As Italy made a meticulously planned recovery after the harsh destruction of an alien invasion,its society witnessed numerous sociological as well as economical upheavals.This was the primary reason which gave birth to Italian cinema movement.Dino Rosi's film "I Mostri" is the perfect example of Italian ribaldry. It was made as a result of many people's collective efforts. Apart from Ugo Tognazzi and Vittorio Gassman, famous filmmaker Ettore Scola also lent a helping hand. Although there are short humorous episodes in this film, due to its 2 hour length,this film gives subtle impression of a feature film.A must for all those who are interested in good cinema, Italian culture and the strengths and weaknesses of human behavior.
A Cloud Shaped Dragon (2021) [Movie] WikiData IMDb TMDB Douban
Un drago a forma di nuvola
director: 赛尔乔·卡斯特利托 actor: 赛尔乔·卡斯特利托 / 贝热尼丝·贝乔
other title: 巴黎书店 / Un drago a forma di nuvola
Vincenzo dedicates his life to the bookshop he owns in Paris and to his daughter Albertine, forced to stay home because of an accident occurred to her a few years earlier. One day Yolande, an exuberant, eccentric, funny and beautiful girl, bursts into Vincenzo’s shop. Charmed by her vital energy, the man starts feeling again emotions he’s been chocking-off for too long, and which will make him question his melancholic and somehow suspended way of facing life.
The Best of Enemies (1962) [Movie] Douban
The Best of Enemies
director: Guy Hamilton actor: David Niven
other title: 最佳敌人
二次世界大战初期,英军和义军在东非伊索比亚交战,两个敌对的军官经过连串战事之后学到了彼此尊重。这是以识英雄重英雄为主题的战争喜剧,编导虽有意对战争加以讽刺,无奈所表现的态度显得优柔寡断,以至其观点虚浮乏无力。不过,两名主角的演出很好,娱乐性不俗
It Happened in the Park (USA) (1953) [Movie] Douban
Villa Borghese
director: 维托里奥·德西卡 / 吉安尼·弗兰西奥里尼 actor: 爱德华多·德·菲利波 / 维托里奥·德西卡
other title: 公园日记 / Villa Borghese
(Includes spoilers) VILLA BORGHESE is a film consisting of six vignettes (cut to five in its U.S. release) that are all set in the Roman park that bears that name. All the episodes take place within one day. The first episode, taking place early in the day, is called "Servant Girls and Soldiers" and is a trifle about a couple of guys trying to put the makes on a couple of young girls. The second piece is called "The Greek Letter Pi" and is a poignant little anecdote about a schoolgirl (Anna Maria Ferrrero) who is urged by her classmates to approach their Greek professor (François Perrier), so that they can photograph them kissing and perhaps blackmail the prof for a passing grade. It turns out the professor has a sad story to tell the girl…that he is going blind. The tearful girl cannot go though with the plan. The third episode is the funniest and probably the best in the film. It's called "Incident at Villa Borghese" and features tour-guide Vittorio De Sica as an incorrigible over-cologned woman-chaser who comes between Giovanna Ralli and her furiously jealous boyfriend Maurizio Arena. The dramatics that ensue among the three…and others…is absolutely hilarious. In one delicious moment, De Sica sits in the car with the boy on one side of him, screaming at the girl, and the girl's breasts on the other side, pressed against De Sica's face as he barely conceals his lust. In "The Marriage Arranger" Eduardo De Filippo is the father of a girl he is trying to marry off. The discussions between the relatives center on rather selfish interest…money, dowry. Then the increasingly ill-at-ease girl is revealed to have a handicap, involving her foot, and the young suitor comes to the emotionally distraught girl's side and, through simple humanity and kindness, saves the day in a way the crude relatives were not capable of doing. Of all the relationships we witness in the film, this is the only one that seems to have a future. "The Lovers" is a bittersweet episode about a man breaking up his affair with a married woman…as the woman's small children play in the park with their nurse and call out to their adulterous mommy. It is nicely acted by two great stars of the French cinema, Micheline Presle and Gérard Philippe. The final racy episode, "Beauty Contest," is a Felliniesque dissertation about two rival Roman street–prostitutes, who as they are about to be rounded up by the police, wind up at a Miss Cinema beauty contest taking place in the park. The younger of the women (Eloisa Cianni) eludes the police by going off with an older man in his car. The other and older one (Franca Valeri) is not so lucky and the episode and the film end as she is driven off in a police vehicle. It is late at night.
The movie was released in the United States in 1957, inexplicably, in a French-language version, which didn't match the content, despite the presence of some French performers. It was retitled IT HAPPENED IN THE PARK. Furthermore, the first decent-enough episode was shorn, also inexplicably, because the film was already a short one. The direction by Gianni Franciolini is subtle and finely-tuned throughout, and the ensemble of actors in the production makes, of itself, a worthwhile experience of the movie, which should not remain as forgotten as it is.
Laugh for Joy (1960) [Movie] WikiData IMDb TMDB Douban
Risate di gioia
director: 马里奥·莫尼切利 actor: Anna Magnani / 托托
other title: 热情的贼 / Risate di gioia
On New Year's Eve, an insecure, struggling actress (Anna Magnani) has nothing to do. When a colleague invites her to a New Year's party, she jumps at the opportunity. Accidentally she runs into an old acting acquaintance (Toto), who is helping a professional pickpocket (Ben Gazzara) steal from people during the hustle-bustle of New Year's Eve festivities. During the course of the evening, they have numerous crazy, humorous adventures all over Rome at different parties, restaurants, and even the Trevi fountain. Magnani's character (Tortorella) falls for Gazzara's character (Lello) without knowing what he's up to, while Toto tries to placate them both. Written by Miriam Kramer
The Terrace (1980) [Movie]
La terrazza
director: 埃托尔·斯科拉 actor: 维托里奥·加斯曼 / 乌戈·托尼亚齐
other title: 露台 / La terrazza
Expensive vines, tables filled with food, but emptiness inside. Everyone has stopped developing, and fastened in their roles. Hurtful, but still funny story about human development.
The Taxi Driver (1983) [Movie] WikiData IMDb TMDB Douban
Il tassinaro
other title: Il tassinaro / 計程車司機
Cab drivers in certain parts of the world are 'walking encyclopedias'. These individuals know just about everything and can discuss whatever issue with their passengers. Such man is Pietro, or Pie, as he is fondly addressed by his family. Pie, has a heart of gold. When we first meet him he is driving a person and talking about his fortune of having a wonderful family with whom he is going to celebrate Christmas eve. His passenger has another thing in mind, he is about to rob him!
We follow Pie as he goes through his city. There is a hilarious encounter with a Texan couple that feel insulted when Pie thinks they are American stereotypes because the tourist misunderstands what he is trying to tell them. There is a meeting with a would be suicide that asks to be taken to the nearest place to the Tiber, and his attempt at saving her life.
As it happens, famous people also take taxis, as it is the case when Pie picks up Giulio Andreotti, Italy's Prime Minister, with whom he has a meaningful conversation. Pie commits the ultimate sin when he is asked to take one of Italy's famous stars to the French embassy. As he only sees her from his mirror, he thinks he is talking to Sylvia Koscina, when in reality she is none other than Silvana Pampanini! His last claim to fame comes when he is asked to drive the great Federico Fellini to Cinecitta. Insisting in sitting up front, Fellini has to endure Pie's admiration. Unknown to the driver, Fellini is going to appear in a film directed by none other than Alberto Sordi, one of the best actors of his generation.
Directed by Alberto Sordi, the film is a love statement to Rome. We are taken all over the city taking its most notable sites as Pie drives his clients. The film was probably an excuse for Mr. Sordi to show his friends and his connection to a place that was dear to him. The film is mildly funny, an excuse to spend some time with some familiar faces and Mr. Sordi, the man that gave so much joy to so many. Bravo Alberto!
For Love and Gold (1968) [Movie] WikiData IMDb TMDB Douban
L'Armata Brancaleone
other title: 黄金骑士 / L'Armata Brancaleone
A group of rogues steal a scroll granting its bearer the property of the land of Aurocastro in Apulia, a province in the south of Italy. They elect a shaggy knight, Brancaleone from Norcia, as their leader, and decide to get possession of this supposedly wealthy land. Many adventures will occurr during the journey.
The Dinner (1998) [Movie] WikiData IMDb TMDB Douban
La Cena
director: 埃托尔·斯科拉 actor: 芬妮·阿尔丹 / 安东尼奥·卡塔尼亚
other title: 晚宴 / La Cena
An evening at an Italian restaurant. Hosted by tolerant and relaxed Flora, various parties of middle-class people come in -- large and small, young and old, regulars and tourists, married and single -- to dine, converse, argue, celebrate, make confessions; to overhear other people's discussions, to interrupt them, to sing, listen to music, and enjoy life.
The Witches (1967) [Movie] Douban
Le streghe
director: 莫洛·鲍罗尼尼 / 维托里奥·德西卡 actor: 西尔瓦娜·曼加诺 / 安妮·吉拉尔多
other title: 女巫 / Le streghe
"The Witch Burnt Alive"
After a very long, but visually arresting animated opening credits sequence, Luchino Visconti (Death in Venice) directs the first story, which is the longest of the five, taking approximately a third of the film's running length. Mangano plays a superstar actress and model who travels to a mountain resort, only to find the well-to-do inhabitants have prejudices and preconceived notions about her based on her public persona. The women are all jealous and the men all want to sleep with her, but all Mangano wants is to be left alone. It's a mostly somber satirical piece, but story-wise, it languishes in its modest idea a bit long, becoming inconsequential to all but those fascinated by the realities of being famous.
"Community Spirit"
Bolognini's piece isn't really a story. It's more of a visual gag, in a short segment that features Mangano offering to take an injured man to a hospital, driving him at breakneck speed throughout the city, but not stopping at locations where he might find aid. I won't give away the punchline here, but it succeeds in being amusing, even if it's the kind of thing that only is interesting the first time through.
"The Earth Seen from the Moon"
The esteemed writer/director, Pier Paolo Pasolini (Salo), crafts the middle segment, which is the most artistic and memorable of the five. Reminiscent in style to "Don Quixote", a recently widowed father and his son travel around the country in search of a new wife and mother, and after a long period, they discover the literally speechless Mangano. She brings joy into their lives, but they are poor, and in order to find a better life for themselves, they concoct a scheme to try to make some quick cash. The story is contrived, and not completely interesting, but the outlandish performances, artwork, and costumes does evoke great charm and likeability. Although mute, it's probably the most appealing of Mangano's five performances, and Toto is terrific.
"The Sicilian"
Franco Rossi directs the fourth an shortest piece, a straight-forward revenge story that comes and goes before it ever has a chance of becoming interesting. It's violent, but easily the least satisfying of the five stories.
"A Night Like Any Other"
Eastwood's appearance is clearly the biggest attraction here, which was filmed in between the Sergio Leone "Dollars" trilogy. It's an enjoyable departure from his normal roles, playing a comedic romantic lead, and he is affably fun to watch. Famed Italian director, Vittorio de Sica (The Bicycle Thief, Umberto D.) does a masterful job with the story, which perfectly blends the mundane and the fantasy in a visually satisfying way. The story is about a bored housewife (Mangano, of course), who tries in vain to get her husband to realize that he is not as romantic as he used to be. The scene is interspersed with comedic romance sequences revolving around the couple's past romantic interludes, and dreams of how their lives should be.