Mad About Opera (1948)

There has been no more catholic church in the Italian district of London since the one existing was bombed during the Blitz. Guido Marchi, a journalist wishing it to be restored, decides to... See full summary »

Director:

Mario Costa

Writers:

Mario Costa (screenplay), Mario Costa (story)

Stars:

Gino Bechi, Maria Caniglia, Tito Gobbi

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gino Bechi	...	Gino
Maria Caniglia	...	Herself
Tito Gobbi	...	Himself
Gina Lollobrigida	...	Dora Scala - la fidanzata di Guido
Carlo Campanini	...	Carlo Scala - il zio di Dora
Constance Dowling	...	Margaret Jones
Aroldo Tieri	...	Guido Marchi
Aldo Silvani	...	Don Antonio Capenno
Lamberto Picasso	...	McLean
Franca Marzi	...	Carmen
Guglielmo Barnabò	...	Il direttore del Covent Garden
Nico Pepe	...	L'amico scrocone di Scala
Luigi Almirante	...	Il notaio
Michele Riccardini	...	L'altro amico scrocone di Scala
Arturo Bragaglia	...	Il 'nuovo' cameriere

Storyline

There has been no more catholic church in the Italian district of London since the one existing was bombed during the Blitz. Guido Marchi, a journalist wishing it to be restored, decides to organize a show in which great names of the Italian opera will appear, deceitfully using Carlo Scala's restaurant as collateral to get the loan so as to organize the show. Despite formidable, self-interested opposition he will finally realize his goal. Moreover, he will manage to marry the one he loves.

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Plot Keywords:

church | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical

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Details

Country:

Italy

Language:

Italian

Release Date:

5 April 1950 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mad About Opera

Company Credits

Production Co:

G.E.S.I. Cinematografica, Scalera Film

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The story and much of the operatic footage were reused in Soho Conspiracy (1950).

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Connections

Featured in Soho Conspiracy (1950)

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Soundtracks

Carmen
(1875)
Music by Georges Bizet
Libretto by Henri Meilhac and Ludovic Halévy

User Reviews

Fast comedy and wonderful music

It's a fastpaced, fast talking comedy. There's such a lot of wheeling and dealing going on in this film even from the start. Guido Marchi is a journalist with the idea of raising funds for rebuilding their damaged Italian church in post-war London. He hopes to succeed and thereby persuade Uncle Carlo to allow his daughter Dora to marry him. With a bit of sleight-of-hand he obtains letterhead stationery on which to arrange agreements with a handful of world famous singers to come and give a benefit performance.

We get to see and hear Gigli, Bechi, Gobbi, Schipa, and Maria Caniglia in popular operatic arias. Guido's sweetheart Dora (Gina Lollobrigida) tries to help him but she can get jealous when he strays too far in the company of Margaret (Constance Dowling). Tito Gobbi has more acting and singing than the rest, which is always special.

At the benefit concert Gigli sings from Andre Chenier; Caniglia sings the legendary 'Casta diva' aria beautifully; Gobbi performs his great piece de resistance, the 'Prologo' from Pagliacci; and Bechi shines in the 'Toreador Song'. All very interesting and enjoyable entertainment.