Raffaele Viviani was an Italian author, playwright, actor and musician. Viviani belongs to the turn-of-the-century school of realism in Italian literature, and his works touch on seamier elements of the lives of the poor in Naples of that period, such as petty crime and prostitution. Critics have termed Viviani "an autodidact realist," meaning that he acquired his skills through personal experience and not academic education.
Leda Gloria was an Italian film actress. She appeared in 66 films between 1929 and 1965. During the expansion of Italian cinema of the Fascist era of the 1930s and early 1940s she appeared in starring roles, later transitioning into character parts after the Second World War. She appeared in the Don Camillo series of films, playing the wife of Gino Cervi's Giuseppe Bottazzi.
Melody of Love or Singing City is a 1952 Italian musical melodrama film directed by Mario Costa and starring Giacomo Rondinella, Maria Fiore and Nadia Gray.
Eternal Melodies is a 1940 Italian historical drama film directed by Carmine Gallone and starring Gino Cervi, Conchita Montenegro and Luisella Beghi. It was one of several musical biopics directed by Gallone. The film was shot at Cinecittà in Rome.
The Return of Don Camillo is a 1953 French-Italian comedy film directed by Julien Duvivier and starring Fernandel, Gino Cervi and Édouard Delmont. The film's sets were designed by Virgilio Marchi. It was the second of five films featuring Fernandel as the Italian priest Don Camillo and his struggles with Giuseppe 'Peppone' Bottazzi, the Communist Mayor of their rural town.
Mother Earth is a 1931 Italian drama film directed by Alessandro Blasetti and starring Leda Gloria, Sandro Salvini and Isa Pola. It was made at the Cines Studios in Rome. Along with Blasetti's other early films, it shows a strong influence of Soviet-style realism. A country landowner decides to sell up and move to the city, but later has a change of heart. It was part of Fascist Italy's promotion of rural over urban values.
Sleeping Beauty is a 1942 Italian drama film directed by Luigi Chiarini and starring Luisa Ferida, Amedeo Nazzari and Osvaldo Valenti. The film was screened at the 1942 Venice Film Festival. It is based on a 1919 play by Pier Maria Rosso di San Secondo. It belongs to the movies of the calligrafismo style.
Anthony of Padua is a 1949 Italian historical drama film directed by Pietro Francisci and starring Aldo Fiorelli, Silvana Pampanini and Carlo Giustini. The film portrays the life of Anthony of Padua (1195–1231).
L'Armata Azzurra is a 1932 Italian aviation docu-drama and adventure film directed by Gennaro Righelli and starring Germana Paolieri and Ennio Cerlesi. It was Italy's first aviation drama film, with a fictional story that celebrated the Italian Air Force.
Wealth Without a Future is a 1939 Italian drama film directed by Ferdinando Maria Poggioli and starring Lamberto Picasso, Paola Borboni and Doris Duranti. A wealthy industrialist retires to live in the countryside.
Mad Animals is a 1939 Italian comedy film directed by Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia and starring Totò, Luisa Ferida and Calisto Bertramo. It was made at the Titanus Studios in Rome.
Bayonet is a 1936 Italian historical adventure film directed by Ferdinando Maria Poggioli and starring Nerio Bernardi, Leda Gloria and Mimì Aylmer. It portrays the life of Giacomo Casanova.
Saint John, the Beheaded is a 1940 Italian comedy film directed by Amleto Palermi and Giorgio Bianchi and starring Totò, Titina De Filippo and Silvana Jachino. It was based on a play by Nino Martoglio. The film was made at the Cinecittà Studios in Rome.
Before the Jury is a 1931 Italian crime film directed by Guido Brignone and starring Marcella Albani, Lia Franca and Carlo Ninchi. It was made at the Cines Studios in Rome. The film is a precursor to the later genre of Giallo films.
The Three-Cornered Hat is a 1935 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Camerini and starring Eduardo and Peppino De Filippo. It is a Naples-set adaptation of the Pedro Antonio de Alarcón's novella with the same name.
Giallo is a 1933 Italian comedy thriller film directed by Mario Camerini and starring Assia Noris, Sandro Ruffini and Elio Steiner. It is based on the 1928 play The Man Who Changed His Name by Edgar Wallace in which a young wife begins to fear that her husband may in fact be an escaped murderer.
Figaro e la sua gran giornata is a 1931 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Camerini and starring Gianfranco Giachetti, Leda Gloria and Ugo Ceseri.
The Marquis of Ruvolito is a 1939 Italian comedy film directed by Raffaello Matarazzo and starring Eduardo De Filippo, Peppino De Filippo and Leda Gloria. Based on a play of the same title by Nino Martoglio, it is set in Naples during the early 1900s. It is now considered a lost film.
Just Married is a 1934 Italian comedy film directed by Guido Brignone and starring Umberto Melnati, Leda Gloria and Ugo Ceseri.
Territorial Militia is a 1935 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Bonnard and starring Antonio Gandusio, Rosina Anselmi and Leda Gloria.
