Full of Life (1956)

Writer Nick and his wife Emily are expecting their first child. When a necessary home repair proves too costly to afford, Nick must swallow his pride and visit his father, a proud immigrant... See full summary »

Director:

Richard Quine

Writers:

John Fante (screen play), John Fante (based on his novel)

Stars:

Judy Holliday, Richard Conte, Salvatore Baccaloni

1 nomination.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Judy Holliday	...	Emily Rocco
Richard Conte	...	Nick Rocco
Salvatore Baccaloni	...	Papa Vittorio Rocco
Esther Minciotti	...	Mama Pauletta Rocco
Joe De Santis	...	Father Gondolfo
Silvio Minciotti	...	Joe Muto
Penny Santon	...	Carla Rocco
Arthur Lovejoy	...	Mr. Jameson
Eleanor Audley	...	Mrs. Jameson
Trudy Marshall	...	Nora Gregory
Walter Conrad	...	John Gregory
Sam Gilman	...	Dr. Atchison

Storyline

Writer Nick and his wife Emily are expecting their first child. When a necessary home repair proves too costly to afford, Nick must swallow his pride and visit his father, a proud immigrant stonemason with whom he has a difficult relationship, and ask him to do the work. Confronting the issues of religious and family tradition which have separated father and son causes Nick and Emily to reevaluate their lives and the things they value most.

---

Plot Keywords:

writer | stonemason | wedding | catholic church | hole | 

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

26 April 1957 (France)

Also Known As:

Alle Sehnsucht dieser Welt

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (RCA Sound Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Salvatore Baccaloni's American film debut.

---

Connections

Referenced in The Dead Talk Back (1993)

User Reviews

Quietly moving, tender film for thoughtful viewers

I discovered "Full of Life" when I was in High School in the early 1980's. I had never even heard of the film (a comment shared by several contributors to this site) when it came on late night television. It's funny to think a teenager could have been so moved by a film about experiences he has not yet had; but, I was. And as I have returned to this film throughout the years I find it becomes all the more perceptive and, yes, beautiful. "Full of Life" is about life, about the human comedy and it contains three extraordinary performances: one from the ever-amazing Judy Holliday, one from the underrated Richard Conte and one from opera star Salvatore Baccaloni, magnificent as the father-in-law. The screenplay earned a nomination from the Screen Writers Guild, but that is the only contemporary recognition it received. However, it remains--to those willing to discover it's sublime charm--a quietly moving, tender film for thoughtful viewers.