Lazzarella
1957 · Italy · 96 min
- Director
- Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia
- Screenplay
- Riccardo Pazzaglia, Giorgio Prosperi
- Music
- Carlo Rustichelli
- Editing
- Mario Serandrei
- Production company
- Titanus
Cast
What it is about
Luciano, a university student from a modest background, falls in love with Sandra, a high school girl from a wealthy family, and her feelings are returned. At first the difference in their social positions seems not to matter, and Luciano's upcoming degree raises hopes for a happy future. Then a sudden financial crisis ruins Sandra's family business and upsets the balance of the couple.
How it was made
The film takes its starting point from the song of the same name by Domenico Modugno and Riccardo Pazzaglia, sung by Aurelio Fierro, which won second prize at the 1957 Naples Festival and was later performed in French by Dalida. Pazzaglia also co-wrote the screenplay with Giorgio Prosperi, though the story only loosely draws on the lyrics. Produced by Titanus, with music by Carlo Rustichelli and editing by Mario Serandrei.
Reception and legacy
It was a box office success and ranked tenth among the most-watched films of the 1957/58 season in Italy. Its historical interest lies in the song phenomenon behind it and in the early appearance of Mario Girotti, who would later become internationally known as Terence Hill.
Stills
Trivia
A actor who would go far
Mario Girotti appears in the cast, years before adopting the name Terence Hill under which he became famous.
A song with a French version
The song that inspired the film was translated into French and performed by Dalida.
More films by Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia
Hannibal
The Loves of Hercules
The Mighty Crusaders
47 Dead Man Talk
The Sword and the Cross
Ursus in the Valley of the LionsOriginal Cinematopedia text based on Wikipedia (en) and Wikidata.