The Thief of Venice

Last updated
The Thief of Venice
The Thief of Venice.jpg
Directed by John Brahm
Written by Jesse Lasky Jr.
uncredited
John Brahm
Salvatore Cabasino
Based onstory by Michael Pertwee
Produced by Robert Haggiag
Dario Sabatello
Starring Maria Montez
Paul Christian
Massimo Serato
Faye Marlow
Aldo Silvani
Cinematography Anchise Brizzi
Edited by Renzo Lucidi
Terry Morse
Music by Alessandro Cicognini
Production
company
Sparta Films
Distributed by 20th Century-Fox (US)
Release dates
  • 1950 (1950)(Italy)
  • November 1952 (1952-11)(US)
Running time
91 minutes
CountriesItaly
United States
Languages Italian
English
Budget$3 million [1]
Box office1,745,680 admissions (France) [2]

The Thief of Venice or Il Ladro di Venezia is a 1950 Italian film directed by John Brahm. The US title was "The Thief of Venice".

Contents

It was released in the US two years after being made. [3]

Plot

In 1575 Venice, the Doge has just died and Scarpa the Grand Inquisitor leads a plot to seize control of Venice.

Disani, a popular admiral works to stop the Grand Inquisitor's power grab with the help of Lorenzo, one of his officers. They manage to get back to Venice in record time by promising the galley slaves their freedom. When they arrive back Disani is killed and Lorenzo goes into hiding.

Lorenzo continues the fight against Scarpa, who plans to marry Disani's daughter Francesca. Lorenzo and Francesca fall in love even though Lorenzo is also loved by tavern girl Tina.

Lorenzo's rebellion against Scarpa is successful.

Cast

Production

The movie was an Italian-American co production. It was announced in March 1949 with Gordon Griffith to be the original producer and Jess Lasky Jnr to be associate producer. Filming was to begin June 1 and Jacques Tourneur was intended to direct. [4]

In June it was thought Edmond O'Brien and his wife Olga San Juan would star and the producers would be Monte Schaff and Lou Appleton. [5] Douglas Fairbanks Jnr was also mentioned as a possible lead and Nat Waschburger was going to be the European producer. [6] Olive Deering was mentioned as a possible female lead. [7]

Eventually in August it was announced Nathan Wachsberger would produce (in Europe) from a script by Jesse Lasky Jrn, and that former Universal contract stars Maria Montez and Paul Christian would star. Christian had just made Bagdad with Maureen O'Hara. [8]

John Brahm signed to direct and Faye Marlowe and George Sanders were to play support roles, with filming to start in Italy on 1 November 1949. (Brahm had worked with both at 20th Century Fox.) [9] Sanders eventually pulled out. [10]

Shooting

Filming started November 1949 and went until February. Then it resumed in June. [11] The movie was shot on location in Italy with studio work done at Scalera Studios. [12] Filming finished by March 1950. [13]

Reception

Critical

The New York Times called it "mammoth, picturesque and infantile" which "represents the lustiest barrage of screen hokum in a blue moon. Principally because of the unabashed muscularity of the action and a stunning authenticity of background this production... remains for the most part palatable fun to watch." [14]

The Christian Science Monitor said that "a series of coups, captures and escapes take place with a great deal of running about but very little inventiveness." [15]

The Washington Post called it "a rip snorting Western" style film. [1]

Jean Pierre Aumont, Montez's husband, liked Brahm's direction so much that he wanted him to direct Aumont in a film called The Bumbler. [16]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maria Montez</span> Dominican actress

María África Gracia Vidal, known professionally as Maria Montez, was a Dominican actress who gained fame and popularity in the 1940s starring in a series of filmed-in-Technicolor costume adventure films. Her screen image was that of a seductress, dressed in fanciful costumes and sparkling jewels. She became so identified with these adventure epics that she became known as The Queen of Technicolor. Over her career, Montez appeared in 26 films, 21 of which were made in North America, with the last five being made in Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jon Hall (actor)</span> American actor (1915–1979)

Jon Hall was an American film actor known for playing a variety of adventurous roles, as in 1937's The Hurricane, and later when contracted to Universal Pictures, including Invisible Agent and The Invisible Man's Revenge and six films he made with Maria Montez. He was also known to 1950s fans as the creator and star of the Ramar of the Jungle television series which ran from 1952 to 1954. Hall directed and starred in two 1960s sci-fi films in his later years, The Beach Girls and the Monster (1965) and The Navy vs. the Night Monsters (1966).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turhan Bey</span> Austrian actor (1922–2012)

Turhan Bey was an Austrian-born actor of Turkish and Czech-Jewish origins. Active in Hollywood from 1941 to 1953, he was dubbed "The Turkish Delight" by his fans. After his return to Austria, he pursued careers as a photographer and stage director. Returning to Hollywood after a 40-year hiatus, he made several guest appearances in 1990s television series including SeaQuest DSV, Murder, She Wrote and Babylon 5 as well as a number of films. After retiring, he appeared in a number of documentaries, including a German-language documentary on his life.

<i>The Brasher Doubloon</i> 1947 American crime film noir by John Brahm

The Brasher Doubloon is a 1947 American crime film noir directed by John Brahm and starring George Montgomery and Nancy Guild. It is based on the 1942 novel The High Window by Raymond Chandler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Errol Flynn filmography</span>

The film appearances of movie actor Errol Flynn (1909–1959) are listed here, including his short films and one unfinished feature.

<i>Comanche Territory</i> (1950 film) 1950 film by George Sherman

Comanche Territory is a 1950 American Western film directed by George Sherman and starring Maureen O'Hara and Macdonald Carey. Jim Bowie is sent into Comanche country on a mission to allow the government to mine silver on the Indian's land.

<i>The Spider</i> (1945 film) 1945 crime film directed by Robert D. Webb

The Spider is a 1945 American crime film noir directed by Robert D. Webb and starring Richard Conte, Faye Marlowe, and Kurt Kreuger.

<i>Valentino</i> (1951 film) 1951 film by Lewis Allen

Valentino is a 1951 American biographical film directed by Lewis Allen and starring Eleanor Parker.

<i>State Secret</i> (1950 film) 1950 British film

State Secret is a 1950 British drama thriller film directed by Sidney Gilliat and starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Jack Hawkins, Glynis Johns, Olga Lowe and Herbert Lom. It was made at Isleworth Studios with Italian location shooting in Trento and the Dolomites. It was released in the United States under the title The Great Manhunt.

<i>Tangier</i> (1946 film) 1946 film by George Waggner

Tangier is a 1946 American film noir mystery film directed by George Waggner and starring Maria Montez, Robert Paige and Sabu. It is set in the international city of Tangier, Morocco and was one of the last Universal Pictures films before the studio's reorganization as Universal-International in July 1946.

<i>Sudan</i> (film) 1945 film by John Rawlins

Sudan is a 1945 American Technicolor adventure film directed by John Rawlins and starring Maria Montez, Jon Hall and Turhan Bey.

<i>The Brigand</i> (film) 1952 film

The Brigand is a 1952 American adventure romance film directed by Phil Karlson and starring Anthony Dexter, Jody Lawrance and Anthony Quinn. It is the second film that Anthony Dexter made for producer Edward Small for Columbia Pictures after his debut in Valentino.

<i>Lorna Doone</i> (1951 film) 1951 film

Lorna Doone is a 1951 American adventure film directed by Phil Karlson and starring Barbara Hale and Richard Greene. It is an adaptation of the 1869 novel Lorna Doone by R. D. Blackmore, set in the English West Country during the 17th century.

<i>The Light Touch</i> 1951 film by Richard Brooks

The Light Touch is a 1951 American crime drama film directed by Richard Brooks and starring Stewart Granger, Pier Angeli and George Sanders. It was produced and released by Metro Goldwyn Mayer.

<i>Crossed Swords</i> (1954 film) 1954 film by Milton Krims

Crossed Swords or The Teacher of Don Juan is a 1954 historical swashbuckling adventure film directed by Milton Krims and starring Errol Flynn, Gina Lollobrigida and Nadia Gray. It was co-production between Italy and the United States. It was shot at the Cinecittà Studios in Rome. The film's sets were designed by the art director Arrigo Equini.

<i>Siren of Atlantis</i> 1949 film by Gregg G. Tallas

Siren of Atlantis, also known as Atlantis the Lost Continent, is a 1949 American black-and-white fantasy-adventure film, distributed by United Artists, that stars Maria Montez and her husband Jean Pierre Aumont. It was the first feature she made after leaving Universal Pictures.

<i>Pirates of Monterey</i> 1947 film by Alfred L. Werker

Pirates of Monterey is a 1947 American Technicolor western adventure film directed by Alfred L. Werker and starring Maria Montez, Rod Cameron and Gilbert Roland. It was the last film Montez made for Universal Pictures.

<i>Gypsy Wildcat</i> 1944 film by Roy William Neill

Gypsy Wildcat is a 1944 Technicolor adventure film directed by Roy William Neil starring Maria Montez, Jon Hall and Peter Coe. It was co-written by James M. Cain.

Faye Marlowe, also known as Faye Joseph and Faye Heuston was an American film and television actress with a career spanning a single decade, from 1945 to 1955.

<i>Queen for a Day</i> (film) 1951 film by Arthur Lubin

Queen for a Day is a 1951 American comedy film directed by Arthur Lubin and written by Seton I. Miller. The film stars Jack Bailey, Jim Morgan, Fort Pearson, Melanie York, Cynthia Corley, Kay Wiley and Helen Mowery. The film was released on July 7, 1951 by United Artists.

References

  1. 1 2 'Thief of Venice' Provides Lots of Action -- In 1575 By Dorothea Pattee Post Reporter. The Washington Post 14 Mar 1953: 4.
  2. ↑ French box office for 1951 at Box Office Story
  3. ↑ The Thief of Venice at Maria Montez Fan page
  4. ↑ Revue Beckoning Webb; Lesser Planning Series; Rains 'Barricade' Star Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 17 Mar 1949: 23.
  5. ↑ MOVIELAND BRIEFS Los Angeles Times 9 June 1949: B11.
  6. ↑ Israel Bids for Adler, Muni and Hecht Play; Rogers Seeks Star Packet Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 30 Mar 1949: 15.
  7. ↑ Eleanor Parker Will Do First Color Feature; Garland Stirs Memories Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 10 May 1949: A7.
  8. ↑ Jesse Lasky Jr. Plans Production in Europe; Bromfield Gets New Deal Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 12 Aug 1949: A7.
  9. ↑ Faye Marlowe Returning as George Sanders Lead; Ball-Arnaz Deal Sighted Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 26 Oct 1949: 23.
  10. ↑ Corey Pursues Romantic Course in 'Furies;' Italy Expedition Launching Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 28 Oct 1949: 21.
  11. ↑ "Montex-Henreid Starrer Resumes in Venice". Variety. June 6, 1950. p. 25.
  12. ↑ Of Local Origin New York Times 24 Nov 1952: 19.
  13. ↑ ITALIAN FILM INDUSTRY IS WARY OF AMERICA' S: Suspicions Roused by Treatment Accorded 'Stromboli' and 'Bicycle Thief'-Here Skeptical Not Enough Fog Coming Up By JANE CIANFARRA. New York Times 26 Mar 1950: 101.
  14. ↑ THE SCREEN IN REVIEW H. H. T. New York Times 28 Nov 1952: 22.
  15. ↑ Maria Montez Seen in Film Made in Italy R.N.. The Christian Science Monitor 29 Jan 1953: 6.
  16. ↑ British Will Re-enact Big Malta Fight; Busch Story Eyed for Jennifer Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 27 Oct 1952: B9.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.