76% (2) The Rose Tattoo 117 min, Unrated, [Comedy, Drama, Romance] [Daniel Mann] [13 Dec 1955]Ratings & Reviews: IMDb Reviews: 72%, Rotten Tomatoes: 80%, External Reviews
Awards: Won 3 Oscars. Another 7 wins & 7 nominations.
Actors: Anna Magnani, Ben Cooper, Burt Lancaster, Marisa Pavan
Writer: Tennessee Williams (screenplay), Hal Kanter (adaptation), Tennessee Williams (play)
External Links: Rotten Tomatoes IMDb Language: English, Italian Country: USA
Plot: An Italian-American neighborhood in Louisiana is disturbed when truck driver Rosario Delle Rose is killed by police while smuggling. His buxom widow Serafina miscarries, then over a period of years draws more and more into herself, trying to force her lovely teenaged daughter Rosa to do likewise. On one eventful day, Rose finally breaks away; Serafina learns of Rosario's affair with another woman; and a new carefree, handsome Italian truck driver enters her life...
Rotten Tomatoes: Based on Tennessee Williams' play, The Rose Tattoo is the story of a Southern widow (Anna Magnani) who finally stops pining for her dead husband when she falls in love with a trucker (Burt Lancaster). Williams wrote his play and this adapted screenplay with Magnani in mind, and she earned an Academy Award for her performance.
Scroll To: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% [ / 7]
73% (2) The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit 153 min, APPROVED, [Drama, Romance, War] [Nunnally Johnson] [08 May 1956]Ratings & Reviews: IMDb Reviews: 72%, Rotten Tomatoes: 75%, External Reviews
Awards: 1 win & 2 nominations.
Actors: Fredric March, Gregory Peck, Jennifer Jones, Marisa Pavan
Writer: Nunnally Johnson (screenplay), Sloan Wilson (novel)
External Links: Wikipedia Rotten Tomatoes IMDb Language: English, Italian, German Country: USA
Plot: Tom Rath lives in Connecticut and commutes to work every day in Manhattan. He's happily married and has a loving wife and three children. Money is a bit tight and when the opportunity arises, he applies for a public relations job with a major television network. During his long commute to work everyday, Tom reminisces about the war. Although 10 years have gone by, he is still haunted by the violence and the men he killed. He also thinks of Maria, an Italian girl with whom he had an affair while stationed in Rome. At his new job, the head of the network Ralph Hopkins takes an immediate liking to him. Tom soon realizes that he will have to choose between becoming a wholly dedicated company man or maintaining a healthy work-life balance. When he learns that Maria gave birth to his son after he left Italy, he decides to let his wife know and ensure that the boy is cared for.
Rotten Tomatoes: This meticulous and unusually long cinemadaptation of Sloan Wilson's best-selling novel The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit stars Gregory Peck as an ex-army officer, pursuing a living as a TV writer in the postwar years. Hired by a major broadcasting network, Peck is assigned to write speeches for the network's president (Fredric March). Peck comes to realize that the president's success has come at the expense of personal happiness, and this leads Peck to ruminate on his own life. Extended flashbacks reveal that Peck had experienced a torrid wartime romance with Italian girl Marisa Pavan, a union that produced a child. Peck is torn between his responsibility to his illegitimate son and his current obligations towards his wife (Jennifer Jones), his children, and his employer. Among the many life-altering decisions made by Peck before the fade-out is his determination to seek out a job that will allow him to spend more time with his family, even if it means a severe cut in salary. The superb hand-picked supporting cast of The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit includes Ann Harding as March's wife, Keenan Wynn as the man who informs Peck that he'd fathered an Italian child, Henry Daniell as a detached executive, and an unbilled DeForrest Kelley as an army medic (who gets to say "He's dead, captain"!) ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Scroll To: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% [ / 7]
41% (2) Solomon and Sheba 141 min, Not Rated, [Drama, History, Romance, War] [King Vidor] [25 Dec 1959]Ratings & Reviews: IMDb Reviews: 62%, Rotten Tomatoes: 20%, External Reviews
Awards: 1 nomination.
Actors: George Sanders, Gina Lollobrigida, Marisa Pavan, Yul Brynner
Writer: Crane Wilbur (story), Anthony Veiller (screenplay), Paul Dudley (screenplay), George Bruce (screenplay)
External Links: Wikipedia Rotten Tomatoes IMDb Language: English Country: USA
Plot: Shortly before his death in ancient Israel King David has a vision from God telling him that his younger son Solomon should succeed him as king. His other son Adonijah is unhappy and vows to attain the throne. Meanwhile the Egyptian Pharoah agrees to cede a Red Sea port to the Queen of Sheba if she can find a way to destroy Solomon, whose wisdom and benevolent rule is seen as a threat to more tyrannical monarchs in the region. Sheba, Pharoah, Adonijah, the leaders of the Twelve Tribes and his own God make life difficult for Solomon who is tempted by Sheba to stray.
Rotten Tomatoes: Romance, treachery, intrigue and spiritual awakenings abound in the Biblical film adaptation of Solomon and Sheba. Trouble begins between two brothers when poet Solomon (Yul Brynner) is chosen to be next in line to the throne by King David of Israel. His warrior brother Adonijah (George Sanders) is livid when Solomon becomes king. While Israel prospers under Solomon, Sheba (Gina Lollobrigida) conspires with the Egyptians to topple Israel. She is ambitious and seductive and finally gets Solomon to fall in love with her. When a pagan dance ritual turns into an orgy, the people turn against Solomon when the Temple of Jehovah is struck by lightning. After the righteous Solomon has fallen from the grace of God, Sheba renounces her pagan Gods and converts to Judaism. A cast of thousands depict the raging battle between the Israelites and the Egyptians. Directed by King Vidor at the cost of five million dollars, production was delayed when the original choice for the role of Solomon (Tyrone Power) died during the making of the film. Many scenes had to be redone with his replacement, Yul Brynner.
Scroll To: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% [ / 7]
70% (1) John Paul Jones 126 min, [Action, Biography, History] [John Farrow] [16 Jun 1959]Ratings & Reviews: IMDb Reviews: 70%, External Reviews
Actors: Charles Coburn, Erin O'Brien, Marisa Pavan, Robert Stack
Writer: John Farrow, Jesse Lasky Jr. (film), Jesse Lasky Jr., Clements Ripley (story "Nor'wester")
External Links: Wikipedia Rotten Tomatoes IMDb Language: English, French Country: Spain, USA
Plot: The swashbuckling adventures of the hero of the Revolutionary War. His contributions weren't always appreciated by the new U.S. government. After the way Congress show their displeasure by sending him to the Russia of Catherine the Great.
Rotten Tomatoes: This expansive spectacle chronicles the adventures and life of the title 18th century naval hero who played a key role in the Revolutionary War. Ironically, at the time, his contributions were not always appreciated by the beleaguered new US government. After the war, the Congress shows their displeasure with Jones' constant badgering about maintaining a powerful navy by sending him to Russia to assist Catherine the Great (Bette Davis in a brief but arresting cameo). The courageous Jones (Robert Stack) does his best and saves the Queen in a series of battles on the Black Sea. Jones then returns to his home in France to meet his final destiny. Look for a very young Mia Farrow, daughter of the director John Farrow, in her feature film debut.
Scroll To: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% [ / 7]
68% (1) Down Three Dark Streets 85 min, APPROVED, [Crime, Drama, Film-Noir] [Arnold Laven] [02 Sep 1954]Ratings & Reviews: IMDb Reviews: 68%, External Reviews
Actors: Broderick Crawford, Marisa Pavan, Martha Hyer, Ruth Roman
Writer: Gordon Gordon (screenplay), Mildred Gordon (screenplay), Bernard C. Schoenfeld (screenplay), Gordon Gordon (novel), Mildred Gordon (novel)
External Links: Wikipedia Rotten Tomatoes IMDb Language: English Country: USA
Plot: When FBI Agent Zack Stewart is killed, Agent John Ripley takes over the three cases he was working on, hoping one will lead to his killer. The first involves gangster Joe Walpo and Ripley finds his hideout through Joe's girl friend, Connie Anderson. Joe is killed but it is established he was 400 miles away when Stewart was murdered. The next involves a car-theft gang which Ripley breaks up by using one of the gang, Vince Angelino and his wife Julie. The last case involves Kate Martell, the victim of an extortionist who threatens to kidnap her child unless she pays him $10,000.
Rotten Tomatoes: Coadapted by The Gordons from their novel Case File FBI, Down Three Dark Streets stars Broderick Crawford as a no-nonsense FBI agent. Hoping to avenge the death of his partner Kenneth Tobey, Crawford almost single-handedly takes on the three investigations which Tobey had been pursuing. One involves a gang of car thieves; the second concerns a fugitive gangster; and the third deals with an extortion racket. Of the three leading ladies--Martha Hyer, Ruth Roman, Marisa Pavan--Ms. Pavan turns the most fascinating performance as the blind witness to a murder. The climax is staged around the fabled "Hollywood" sign that dominates the hills bordering the film capital. Most of the production personnel involved with Down Three Dark Streets would later set up shop at Dick Powell's Four Star Productions.
Scroll To: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% [ / 7]
65% (1) Drum Beat 111 min, [Adventure, Western] [Delmer Daves] [08 Apr 1955]Ratings & Reviews: IMDb Reviews: 65%, External Reviews
Actors: Alan Ladd, Audrey Dalton, Marisa Pavan, Robert Keith
Writer: Delmer Daves (screenplay), Delmer Daves (story)
External Links: Rotten Tomatoes IMDb Language: English Country: USA
Plot: President Grant orders Indian fighter MacKay to negotiate with the Modocs of northern California and southern Oregon. On the way he must escort Nancy Meek to the home of her aunt and uncle. After Modoc renegade Captain Jack engages in ambush and other atrocities, MacKay must fight him one-on-one with guns, knives and fists.
Rotten Tomatoes: Though heavily advertised as Delmar Daves' Drum Beat, this film owed its existence to producer-star Alan Ladd. The star is cast as a veteran Indian fighter Johnny MacKay, who because of his close relationship with the Medoc tribe is sent out to negotiate a peace treaty. Once he has arrived in Medoc territory, Johnny (Ladd) must contend with the misspent emotions of his childhood sweetheart Toby (Marisa Pavan), the sister of Indian chief Manok (Anthony Caruso). Jealous over Johnny's relationship with pretty Nancy Meek (Audrey Dalton), Toby has cast her lot with renegade warrior Captain Jack (Charles Bronson), who honors no treaties. Though the film has a Native American villain, Drum Beat is largely sympathetic to the plight of the Indian. Based on a true story, the film is distinguished by J. Peverell Marley's breathtaking exterior photography, and by Victor Young's ballad-like musical score.
Scroll To: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% [ / 7]
62% (1) Diane 110 min, APPROVED, [Drama, History, Romance] [David Miller] [12 Jan 1956]Ratings & Reviews: IMDb Reviews: 62%, External Reviews
Actors: Lana Turner, Marisa Pavan, Pedro Armendáriz, Roger Moore
Writer: John Erskine (story), Christopher Isherwood
External Links: Wikipedia Rotten Tomatoes IMDb Language: English Country: USA
Plot: Diane de Poitiers is in a childless marriage with count de Breze. When he is charged with treason, Diane visits king Francis I to successfully plead for her husband's life, something that start a rumor that she has offered her own services in return. Her husband reject her, leading Francis to ask her to come to the royal court to teach prince Henry how to be a gentleman. The prince and Diane fall in love and she becomes the prince's mistress, something that makes his wife Catherine de Medici her enemy. When the prince becomes the king of France, Diane is wielding considerable influence over him.
Rotten Tomatoes: Based on the John Erskine novel Diane de Poitier, the mistress (Lana Turner) of the Renaissance-era French king Henry II (Roger Moore) faces the natural opposition of his wife, Catherine de Medici. Diane, originally hired by Henry's father--Francis I-- to teach the young prince of courtly manners, becomes his lover though the difference in their ages is 20 years.
Scroll To: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% [ / 7]