''Telefoni Bianchi'' (; white telephones)

film A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmospher ...

s, also called deco films, were made by Italian film industry in the 1930s and the 1940s in imitation of American comedies of the time in a sharp contrast to the other important style of the era,

calligrafismo Calligrafismo (, "caligraphism") is an Italian style of filmmaking relating to some films made in Italy in the first half of the 1940s and endowed with an expressive complexity that isolates them from the general context. Calligrafismo is in a sh ...

, which was highly artistic. The cinema of ''Telefoni Bianchi'' was born from the success of the Italian film comedy of the early 1930s; it was a lighter version, cleansed of any intellectualism or veiled social criticism.

Name

The name derives from the presence of white telephones in the sequences of the first films produced in this period, symptomatic of social well-being, a

status symbol A status symbol is a visible, external symbol of one's social position, an indicator of economic or social status. Many luxury goods are often considered status symbols. ''Status symbol'' is also a sociological term – as part of social and soc ...

capable of marking the difference from the "popular"

bakelite Polyoxybenzylmethylenglycolanhydride, better known as Bakelite ( ), is a thermosetting phenol formaldehyde resin, formed from a condensation reaction of phenol with formaldehyde. The first plastic made from synthetic components, it was developed ...

telephones, cheaper and therefore more widespread, which instead were black. Another definition given to these films is "deco cinema" due to the strong presence of furnishing objects that recall the international deco style, in vogue in those years.

Origins

The roots of the ''Telefoni Bianchi'' film genre can be found in

Mario Camerini Mario Camerini (6 February 1895 – 4 February 1981) was an Italian film director and screenwriter. The cousin of Augusto Genina, he made the most well-known films in Italy during the 1930s, most of them comedies starring Vittorio De Sica. H ...

's cinema of the 1920s, in particular in '' Rails'' (1929), in which the director photographed — with reverberations of German expressionist cinema or citing the contemporary Soviet cinematographic

avant-garde The avant-garde (; In 'advance guard' or ' vanguard', literally 'fore-guard') is a person or work that is experimental, radical, or unorthodox with respect to art, culture, or society.John Picchione, The New Avant-garde in Italy: Theoretica ...

s — the reality of the crisis years, in real time. The cinema of ''Telefoni Bianchi'' was then born from the success of the Italian film comedy of the early 1930s; it was a lighter version, cleansed of any intellectualism or veiled social criticism. The first film of the genre ''Telefoni Bianchi'' was ''

The Private Secretary ''The Private Secretary'' is an 1883 farce in three acts, by Charles Hawtrey. The play, adapted from a German original, depicts the vicissitudes of a mild young clergyman, innocently caught up in the machinations of two irresponsible young men ...

'' (1931) by Goffredo Alessandrini.

Overview

In the 1930s and the 1940s, light comedies known as ''Telefoni Bianchi'' ("white telephones") were predominant in Italian cinema. These films, which featured lavish set designs, promoted conservative values and respect for authority, and thus typically avoided the scrutiny of government censors. ''Telefoni Bianchi'' proved to be the testing ground of numerous screenwriters destined to impose themselves in the following decades (including Cesare Zavattini and Sergio Amidei), and above all of numerous set designers such as Guido Fiorini, Gino Carlo Sensani and

Antonio Valente Antonio Valente (fl. 1565–80) was an Italian Renaissance organist and composer. He was blind from childhood and served as organist of Sant'Angelo a Nilo in Naples in 1565–80. During that time he published two collections of keyboar ...

, who, by virtue successful graphic inventions led these productions to become a kind of "summa" of the petty-

bourgeois The bourgeoisie ( , ) is a social class, equivalent to the middle or upper middle class. They are distinguished from, and traditionally contrasted with, the proletariat by their affluence, and their great cultural and financial capital. ...

aesthetics of the time. Among the authors,

is the most representative director of the genre. After having practiced the most diverse trends in the 1930s, he happily moved into the territory of sentimental comedy with '' What Scoundrels Men Are!'' (1932), '' Il signor Max'' (1937) and ''

Department Store A department store is a retail establishment offering a wide range of consumer goods in different areas of the store, each area ("department") specializing in a product category. In modern major cities, the department store made a dramatic appe ...

'' (1939). In other films he compares himself with the Hollywood-style comedy on the model of

Frank Capra Frank Russell Capra (born Francesco Rosario Capra; May 18, 1897 – September 3, 1991) was an Italian-born American film director, producer and writer who became the creative force behind some of the major award-winning films of the 1930s ...

('' Heartbeat'', 1939) and the surreal one of

René Clair René Clair (11 November 1898 – 15 March 1981), born René-Lucien Chomette, was a French filmmaker and writer. He first established his reputation in the 1920s as a director of silent films in which comedy was often mingled with fantasy. He wen ...

('' I'll Give a Million'', 1936). Camerini is interested in the figure of the typical and popular Italian, so much so that he anticipates some elements of the future Italian comedy. His major interpreter,

Vittorio De Sica Vittorio De Sica ( , ; 7 July 1901 – 13 November 1974) was an Italian film director and actor, a leading figure in the Italian neorealism, neorealist movement. Four of the films he directed won Academy Awards: ''Shoeshine (film), Sciuscià ...

, will continue his lesson in ''

Maddalena, Zero for Conduct ''Maddalena, Zero for Conduct'' (Italian: ''Maddalena... zero in condotta'') is a 1940 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Vittorio De Sica.Cardullo p.117 It is a remake of the Hungarian film '' Magda Expelled'' (1938). Plot A mys ...

'' (1940) and '' Teresa Venerdì'' (1941), emphasizing above all the direction of the actors and the care for the settings. IlsignorMax fotoscena

Other directors include

Mario Mattoli Mario Mattoli (; 30 November 1898 – 26 February 1980) was an Italian film director and screenwriter. He directed 86 films between 1934 and 1966. His 1939 film ''Defendant, Stand Up!'' was shown as part of a retrospective on Italian comedy ...

(''

Schoolgirl Diary ''Schoolgirl Diary'' ( it, Ore 9: lezione di chimica) is a 1941 Italian " white-telephones" drama film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Alida Valli. Cast * Alida Valli as Anna Campolmi * Irasema Dilián as Maria Rovani (as Irasema Dilian) ...

'', 1941), Jean de Limur (''Apparition'', 1944) and Max Neufeld ('' The House of Shame'', 1938; ''

A Thousand Lire a Month ''A Thousand Lire a Month'' (Italian: ''Mille lire al mese'') is a 1939 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Max Neufeld and starring Alida Valli, Umberto Melnati and Osvaldo Valenti.Nowell-Smith p.119 It is a remake of the 1936 ...

'', 1939). The realist comedies of

Mario Bonnard Mario Bonnard (24 December 1889 – 22 March 1965) was an Italian actor and film director. Bonnard was born and died in Rome. He began his cinematic career as an actor becoming a popular romantic lead in numerous silent films made before World ...

(''

Before the Postman ''There's Room Up Ahead'' (Italian: ''Avanti c'è posto'') is a 1942 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Bonnard and starring Aldo Fabrizi, Andrea Checchi and Adriana Benetti.Moliterno p.45 It was made at Cinecittà in Rome. Plot A young gi ...

'', 1942; ''

The Peddler and the Lady ''The Peddler and the Lady'' (Italian title: ''Campo de' fiori'') is a 1943 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Bonnard and starring Aldo Fabrizi, Caterina Boratto and Anna Magnani.Reich & Garofalo p.101 Much of the film is set on the Campo d ...

'', 1943) are partially different in character, which partially deviate from the imprint of ''Telefoni Bianchi''. Soon the subjects began to become repetitive and more and more predictable and banal; later, with the worsening of

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...

, the production of this genre became more and more sparse and discontinuous until it disappeared completely with the fall of the Fascist regime (1943).

Characteristics

The most important symbol in these films are the quite expensive Art Deco sets featuring white telephones (status symbol of bourgeois wealth generally unavailable to the movie-going public), and children wearing ''

Shirley Temple Shirley Temple Black (born Shirley Jane Temple;While Temple occasionally used "Jane" as a middle name, her birth certificate reads "Shirley Temple". Her birth certificate was altered to prolong her babyhood shortly after she signed with Fox in ...

'' curls. The films tended to be socially

conservative Conservatism is a cultural, social, and political philosophy that seeks to promote and to preserve traditional institutions, practices, and values. The central tenets of conservatism may vary in relation to the culture and civilization in ...

, promoting

family values Family values, sometimes referred to as familial values, are traditional or cultural values that pertain to the family's structure, function, roles, beliefs, attitudes, and ideals. In the social sciences and U.S. political discourse, the convent ...

, respect for authority, a rigid class hierarchy and country life, all stances perfectly in line with the ideology of the

fascist regime Fascism is a far-right, authoritarian, ultra-nationalist political ideology and movement,: "extreme militaristic nationalism, contempt for electoral democracy and political and cultural liberalism, a belief in natural social hierarchy and th ...

. The genre is also referred by modern film critics as "Hungarian style comedies", because the scripts were often

adaptation In biology, adaptation has three related meanings. Firstly, it is the dynamic evolutionary process of natural selection that fits organisms to their environment, enhancing their evolutionary fitness. Secondly, it is a state reached by the po ...

s of

stage plays A play is a work of drama, usually consisting mostly of dialogue between characters and intended for theatrical performance rather than just reading. The writer of a play is called a playwright. Plays are performed at a variety of levels, from ...

written by Hungarian authors (a popular source material also for Hollywood productions of the time). The functionalism of the

Bauhaus The Staatliches Bauhaus (), commonly known as the Bauhaus (), was a German art school operational from 1919 to 1933 that combined crafts and the fine arts.Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 4th edn., 20 ...

also arrived in Italy and, as can be seen in these films, there was a reflection of an Italy that was "rebuilding" its own modern and efficient image and in which the

consumerism Consumerism is a social and economic order that encourages the acquisition of goods and services in ever-increasing amounts. With the Industrial Revolution, but particularly in the 20th century, mass production led to overproduction—the su ...

was timidly beginning to spread. It was represented by the rationalist architectural style and the industrial ferment that the fascist regime was promoting; in these light films there was a fascination that glimpsed hope in the future. Uominichemascalzoni-1932-DeSica-Franca

The bourgeois setting aesthetically echoed American film comedies, especially Frank Capra. The hopes of the petty-bourgeois could only become reality. Films like ''

'', as well as the song of the same name, went down in history for their explicit lightheartedness and equally irreverent evocation. The melodic element often returned to peep out, many of these films contained at least one hit song (just think ''Parlami d'amore Mariù'' composed for the film '' What Scoundrels Men Are!'' which later became much more famous than the film itself). However, this representation of well-being and progress was far from the Italian reality of the time; the representation of a wealthy (in some cases even opulent), advanced, emancipated and educated society was enormously contrasting with the real situation of Italy, which, at that time, was instead a substantially poor country, materially and morally backward and with the majority of the illiterate population. As well as the enthusiastic, cheerful and carefree atmosphere of these films, it seemed to clash with the gloomy situation of the nation, subjugated by the fascist dictatorship and which would soon enter World War II.

Major figures

Among the most relevant directors for this genre are:

Alessandro Blasetti Alessandro Blasetti (3 July 1900 – 1 February 1987) was an Italian film director and screenwriter who influenced Italian neorealism with the film ''Quattro passi fra le nuvole''. Blasetti was one of the leading figures in Italian cinema during ...

Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia (8 July 1894 – 4 January 1998) was an Italian film director whose career spanned from the 1930s to the mid-1960s. He mainly directed adventure pictures and popular comedies, including some starring Totò. His 1942 ...

, Max Neufeld and

Gennaro Righelli Gennaro Righelli (12 December 1886 – 6 January 1949) was an Italian film director, screenwriter and actor. He directed more than 110 films in Italy and Germany between 1910 and 1947. In 1930, he directed the first Italian sound film, '' ...

. Among the most representative actors and actresses:

Caterina Boratto Caterina Boratto (15 March 1915 – 14 September 2010) was an Italian film actress. She appeared in 50 films between 1936 and 1993. Life and career Born in Turin, Boratto studied at the Musical Lyceum in her hometown with the purpose of bec ...

Assia Noris Assia Noris (16 February 1912 – 27 January 1998) was a Russian-Italian film actress. Born Anastasia Noris fon Gerzfeld (Anastassia Noris von Herzfeld), she appeared in over 35 films between 1932 and 1965. She starred in films such as the Mar ...

, Cesco Baseggio,

Elsa Merlini Elsa Merlini (26 July 1903 – 22 February 1983), was an Italian film actress. She appeared in 29 films between 1931 and 1976. She was born in Trieste, Italy and died in Rome, Italy. Selected filmography * '' The Private Secretary'' (1931) ...

, Rossano Brazzi,

Clara Calamai Clara Calamai (7 September 1909 – 21 September 1998) was an Italian actress. She was one of the most famous and popular Italian actresses in the 1930s and 1940s, sharing the limelight with actresses such as Alida Valli, Valentina Cortese, an ...

Lilia Silvi Lilia Silvi (22 December 1922 – 27 July 2013) was an Italian film actress. Silvi was one of several young actresses presented as an Italian equivalent to the Canadian-born Cinema of the United States, Hollywood star Deanna Durbin. She appeared ...

Vera Carmi Vera Carmi (23 November 1914 – 6 September 1969) was an Italian film actress. She appeared in more than 50 films between 1940 and 1956. She was born in Turin, Italy and died in Rome, Italy. Life and career Carmi was born Virginia Doglioli ...

Gino Cervi Luigi Cervi (3 May 1901 – 3 January 1974), better known as Gino Cervi (), was an Italian actor. He was best known for portraying Peppone in a series of comedies based on the character ''Don Camillo'' (1952-1965), and police detective Jules ...

Valentina Cortese Valentina Cortese (1 January 1923 – 10 July 2019) was an Italian actress. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in François Truffaut's ''Day for Night'' (1973). Personal life Cortese was born ...

Doris Duranti Doris Duranti (25 April 1917 – 10 March 1995) was an Italian film actress. She appeared in 43 films between 1935 and 1975. She had a years-long affair with Alessandro Pavolini, a Fascist politician who in 1945 was executed by Italian parti ...

, Luisa Ferida, Fosco Giachetti, Amedeo Nazzari,

Alida Valli Alida Maria Laura, '' Freiin'' Altenburger von Marckenstein-Frauenberg (31 May 1921 – 22 April 2006), better known by her stage name Alida Valli (or simply Valli), was an Italian actress who appeared in more than 100 films in a 70-year career, ...

Carlo Campanini Carlo Campanini (5 October 1906 – 20 November 1984), was an Italian actor, singer and comedian. He appeared in more than 120 films between 1939 and 1969. Life and career Born in Turin, Campanini attended a technical school and a course of ...

and

Checco Rissone Francesco "Checco" Rissone (7 July 1909 – 26 September 1985) was an Italian film, stage and television actor. Life and career Rissone was born in Turin, the younger brother of the more famous Giuditta. He debuted on stage at a young age an ...

Censorship

To avoid the limitations imposed by the

censorship Censorship is the suppression of speech, public communication, or other information. This may be done on the basis that such material is considered objectionable, harmful, sensitive, or "inconvenient". Censorship can be conducted by governments ...

of the authorities, with potentially controversial topics in the plot (for instance

divorce Divorce (also known as dissolution of marriage) is the process of terminating a marriage or marital union. Divorce usually entails the canceling or reorganizing of the legal duties and responsibilities of marriage, thus dissolving th ...

, at the time illegal in Italy, or

adultery Adultery (from Latin ''adulterium'') is extramarital sex that is considered objectionable on social, religious, moral, or legal grounds. Although the sexual activities that constitute adultery vary, as well as the social, religious, and legal ...

, a punishable offence by the contemporary Italian laws), the action was often set in various foreign – sometimes imaginary –

Eastern European countries Eastern may refer to: Transportation *China Eastern Airlines, a current Chinese airline based in Shanghai * Eastern Air, former name of Zambia Skyways *Eastern Air Lines, a defunct American airline that operated from 1926 to 1991 * Eastern Air ...

, but always with Italian protagonists.

Effect on neorealism

The Neorealist filmmakers saw their gritty films as a reaction to the idealized (and poor quality of the) ''Telefoni Bianchi'' style. They compared and contrasted the high-and-almighty gimmicks of set and studio production, with the dishevelled beauty of everyday life, the rigorous depiction of human life and its sufferings, and chose instead to work on location and with non-professional actors.

Aftermath

Federico Fellini Federico Fellini (; 20 January 1920 – 31 October 1993) was an Italian film director and screenwriter known for his distinctive style, which blends fantasy and baroque images with earthiness. He is recognized as one of the greatest and most ...

's film ''

Amarcord ''Amarcord'' () is a 1973 comedy-drama film directed by Federico Fellini, a semi- autobiographical tale about Titta, an adolescent boy growing up among an eccentric cast of characters in the village of Borgo San Giuliano (situated near the anci ...

'' (1973), the popular film movement is satirized in Gradisca's sex dream with the Prince. The era of ''Telefoni Bianchi'' films is remembered in the 1976 film ''

The Career of a Chambermaid ''Telefoni bianchi'' (''White Telephones'', internationally released as ''The Career of a Chambermaid'') is a 1976 Italian comedy film directed by Dino Risi. For this film Agostina Belli was awarded with a Special David di Donatello for her pe ...

'', directed by

Dino Risi Dino Risi (23 December 1916 – 7 June 2008) was an Italian film director. With Mario Monicelli, Luigi Comencini, Nanni Loy and Ettore Scola, he was one of the masters of ''commedia all'italiana''. Biography Risi was born in Milan. He had an o ...

Notable films

* ''

'', by Goffredo Alessandrini (1931) * '' The Charmer'', by Guido Brignone (1931) * '' Two Happy Hearts'', by

Baldassarre Negroni Baldassarre Negroni (21 January 1877 – 18 July 1948) was an Italian film director and screenwriter. He directed 89 films between 1912 and 1936. He directed the 1932 film '' Due cuori felici'', which starred Vittorio De Sica. Selected film ...

(1932) * '' What Scoundrels Men Are!'', by

(1932) * '' One Night with You'', by Ferruccio Bianchini and Emmerich Wojtek Emo (1932) * ''

Paradise In religion, paradise is a place of exceptional happiness and delight. Paradisiacal notions are often laden with pastoral imagery, and may be cosmogonical or eschatological or both, often compared to the miseries of human civilization: in para ...

'', by Guido Brignone (1932) * ''

Model Wanted ''Model Wanted'' ( it, Cercasi modella) is a 1933 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by E. W. Emo and starring Elsa Merlini, Nino Besozzi, and Gianfranco Giachetti. It is the Italian-language version of the German film ''Marion, ...

'', by Ferruccio Bianchini and Emmerich Wojtek Emo (1933) * '' Nini Falpala'', by

Amleto Palermi Amleto Palermi (11 July 1889 – 20 April 1941) was an Italian film director and screenwriter. He directed more than 70 films between 1914 and 1942. He directed '' The Old Lady'', which starred Vittorio De Sica in his first sound film. Sele ...

(1933) * ''

Paprika Paprika ( US , ; UK , ) is a spice made from dried and ground red peppers. It is traditionally made from '' Capsicum annuum'' varietals in the Longum group, which also includes chili peppers, but the peppers used for paprika tend to be milder ...

'', by

Carl Boese Carl Eduard Hermann Boese (; 26 August 1887 – 6 July 1958) was a German film director, screenwriter, and producer. He directed 158 films between 1917 and 1957. Selected filmography * ''Farmer Borchardt'' (1917) * ''Donna Lucia'' (1918) * ...

(1933) * ''

The Lucky Diamond ''The Lucky Diamond'' ( it, Lisetta) is a 1933 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Carl Boese and starring Vittorio De Sica. Cast * Elsa Merlini - Lisetta * Renato Cialente * Vittorio De Sica * Memo Benassi * Gianfranco Giac ...

'', by

(1933) * '' I'll Give a Million'', by

(1935) * ''

Adam's Tree ''Adam's Tree'' (Italian: ''L'albero di Adamo'') is a 1936 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Mario Bonnard and starring Elsa Merlini, Antonio Gandusio and Renato Cialente.Goble p.663 The film's sets were designed by the art d ...

'', by

(1936) * '' White Amazons'', by

(1936) * '' But It's Nothing Serious'', by Enrico Guazzoni (1936) * '' King of Diamonds'', by Enrico Guazzoni (1936) * ''

Sette giorni all'altro mondo ''Sette giorni all'altro mondo'' is a 1936 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Mario Mattoli. Cast *Camillo Pilotto *Vanna Vanni *Franco Coop *Nietta Zocchi * Emilio Petacci *Virgilio Riento *Guglielmo Barnabò *Stefano Sibaldi ...

'', by

(1936) * ''

Music in the Square ''Music in the Square'' (Italian: ''Musica in piazza'') is a 1936 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Milly, Ugo Ceseri and Enrico Viarisio.Chiti & Poppi p.229 In Bevagna near Perugia, two cousins are r ...

'', by

(1936) * ''

The Man Who Smiles ''The Man Who Smiles'' (Italian: ''L'uomo che sorride'') is a 1936 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film about an Oedipus Complex, directed by Mario Mattoli. The film stars Vittorio De Sica, Umberto Melnati, Enrico Viarisio, Assia Noris and Pao ...

'', by

(1936) * ''

A Woman Between Two Worlds ''A Woman Between Two Worlds'' (Italian: ''Una donna tra due mondi'') is a 1936 Italian white telephone drama film directed by Goffredo Alessandrini and starring Isa Miranda, Assia Noris and Giulio Donadio. The film's sets were designed by art di ...

'', by Goffredo Alessandrini (1936) * '' I Don't Know You Anymore'', by Nunzio Malasomma (1936) * '' The Two Misanthropists'', by

(1937) * ''

The Make Believe Pirates ''The Make Believe Pirates'' ( it, Allegri masnadieri) is a 1937 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Marco Elter. It was shown as part of a retrospective on Italian comedy at the 67th Venice International Film Festival. Cast * ...

'', by Marco Elter (1937) * ''

The Ferocious Saladin ''The Ferocious Saladin'' (Italian: ''Il feroce Saladino'') is a 1937 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Mario Bonnard and starring Angelo Musco, Alida Valli and Lino Carenzio. The film was made at Cinecittà in Rome. On 28 Ap ...

'', by

(1937) * '' The Three Wishes'', by Giorgio Ferroni (1937) * '' Felicita Colombo'', by

(1937) * ''

Hands Off Me! ''Hands Off Me!'' () is a 1937 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Gero Zambuto.Moliterno p.179 The film is notable for being the screen début of Totò. Its most famous scenes include one in which he tries to give a haircut to a ...

'', by

Gero Zambuto Gero Zambuto (1887 – 1944) was an Italian actor, screenwriter and film director.Goble p.236 Selected filmography * ''Fedora (1913 film), Fedora'' (1913) * ''When Knights Were Bold (1916 Italian film), When Knights Were Bold'' (1916) * ' ...

(1937) * '' Il signor Max'', by

(1937) * ''

The Castiglioni Brothers ''The Castiglioni Brothers'' (Italian: ''I fratelli Castiglioni'') is a 1937 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Corrado D'Errico and starring Camillo Pilotto, Ugo Ceseri and Amedeo Nazzari. It was based on a play of the same ti ...

'', by

Corrado D'Errico Corrado D'Errico (1902–1941) was an Italian screenwriter and film director. D'Errico was one of a number of directors in the Fascist era to graduate from the Instituto Luce.Brunetta p.76 Selected filmography Director * '' Golden Arrow'' (19 ...

(1937) * '' These Children'', by

(1937) * '' The Last Days of Pompeo'', by

(1937) * ''

The Carnival Is Here Again ''The Carnival Is Back'' or ''The Carnival Is Here Again'' (Italian: ''È tornato carnevale'') is a 1937 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Raffaello Matarazzo and starring Armando Falconi, Clara Tabody and Franco Coop.Aprà p. ...

'', by

Raffaello Matarazzo Raffaello Matarazzo (17 August 1909 – 17 May 1966) was an Italian filmmaker. Life Matarazzo started writing film reviews for the Roman newspaper ''Il Tevere'' before re-editing scripts for the Italian film company Cines. His first films w ...

(1937) * ''

The Countess of Parma ''The Countess of Parma'' (Italian: ''La contessa di Parma'') is a 1937 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Alessandro Blasetti and starring Elisa Cegani, Antonio Centa and María Denis. Marcella, a mannequin working in a fashion ...

'', by regia di

(1937) * ''

I've Lost My Husband! ''I've Lost My Husband!'' (Italian: ''Ho perduto mio marito'') is a 1937 Italian " white-telephones" romantic comedy film directed by Enrico Guazzoni and starring Paola Borboni, Nino Besozzi and Enrico Viarisio.Clarke & Doel p.37 It was based a pl ...

'', by Enrico Guazzoni (1937) * ''

Tonight at Eleven ''Tonight at Eleven'' (Italian: ''Stasera alle undici'') is a 1938 Italian " white-telephones" mystery film directed by Oreste Biancoli and starring John Lodge, Francesca Braggiotti and Ivana Claar.Chiti & Poppi p.430. It was shot at the Cineci ...

'', by

Oreste Biancoli Oreste Biancoli (20 February 1897 – 25 November 1971) was an Italian screenwriter and film director. He wrote for more than 90 films between 1930 and 1986. He also directed nine films between 1938 and 1952. He was born in Bologna, Italy a ...

(1938) * ''

The Lady in White ''The Lady in White'' (Italian: ''La dama bianca'') is a 1938 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Elsa Merlini, Nino Besozzi and Enrico Viarisio.Clarke & Doel p.37 The film's sets were designed by the ...

'', by

(1938) * '' The Woman of Monte Carlo'', by

André Berthomieu André Berthomieu (16 February 1903 – 10 April 1960) was a French screenwriter and film director. He was married to the actress Line Noro. Selected filmography Director * '' Not So Stupid'' (1928) * '' The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard'' (1929) * ...

and Mario Soldati (1938) * '' The House of Shame'', by Max Neufeld (1938) * '' For Men Only'', by Guido Brignone (1938) * ''

A Lady Did It ''A Lady Did It'' ( it, L'ha fatto una signora) is a 1938 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Michele Abruzzo, Rosina Anselmi and Alida Valli.Aprà p.101 It was shot at Cinecittà Studios in Rome. The fi ...

'', by

(1938) * '' Star of the Sea'', by

(1938) * ''

I Want to Live with Letizia ''I Want to Live with Letizia'' (Italian: ''Voglio vivere con Letizia'') is a 1938 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Camillo Mastrocinque and starring Assia Noris, Gino Cervi and Umberto Melnati.Chiti & Poppi p.414 It was shot ...

'', by

Camillo Mastrocinque Camillo Mastrocinque (11 May 1901 – 23 April 1969) was an Italian film director and screenwriter. He directed more than 60 films between 1937 and 1968, and is known to horror film fans for directing '' Terror in the Crypt'' (1964) starring ...

(1938) * '' They've Kidnapped a Man'', by

(1938) * ''

'', by Max Neufeld (1939) * ''

At Your Orders, Madame ''At Your Orders, Madame'' ( it, Ai vostri ordini, signora) is a 1939 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Antonio Gandusio. Cast * Elsa Merlini as Manon * Vittorio De Sica as Pietro Haguet * Giuditt ...

'', by

(1939) * ''

We Were Seven Sisters ''We Were Seven Sisters'' ( it, Eravamo sette sorelle) is a 1939 Italian " white-telephones" romantic comedy film directed by Nunzio Malasomma and starring Antonio Gandusio. Cast * Antonio Gandusio as Il conte Leone Varani * Nino Besozzi as L ...

'', by Nunzio Malasomma (1939) * ''

Backstage Backstage most commonly refers to backstage (theatre), also in motion picture and television production. Backstage may also refer to: Film and television * ''Back Stage'' (1969 film), a silent film starring Oliver Hardy * ''Back Stage'' (1942 fil ...

'', by

(1939) * '' Heartbeat'', by

(1939) * '' Unjustified Absence'', by Max Neufeld (1939) * ''

The Castle Ball ''The Castle Ball'' or ''Ball at the Castle'' (Italian: ''Ballo al castello'') is a 1939 Italian " white-telephones" romantic comedy film directed by Max Neufeld and starring Alida Valli, Antonio Centa and Carlo Lombardi.Nowell-Smith p.119 The ...

'', by Max Neufeld (1939) * '' Castles in the Air'', by

Augusto Genina Augusto Genina (28 January 1892 – 18 September 1957) was an Italian film pioneer. He was a movie producer and director. Biography Born in Rome, Genina was a drama critic and wrote comedies for the ''Il Mondo'' Magazine, under advise of Aldo ...

(1939) * ''

We Were Seven Widows ''We Were Seven Widows'' ( it, Eravamo sette vedove) is a 1939 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Antonio Gandusio. Cast * Antonio Gandusio - L'avvocato Ruggero Mauri * Nino Taranto - Orlando, il c ...

'', by

(1939) * ''

'', by

(1939) * ''

Mille chilometri al minuto! ''Mille chilometri al minuto!'' (or ''1000 km al minuto!'') is a 1939 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amus ...

'', by

(1939) * '' Lo vedi come sei... lo vedi come sei?'', by

(1939) * ''

The Marquis of Ruvolito ''The Marquis of Ruvolito'' (Italian: ''Il marchese di Ruvolito'') is a 1939 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Raffaello Matarazzo and starring Eduardo De Filippo, Peppino De Filippo and Leda Gloria.Goble p.311 Based on a play of ...

'', by

(1939) * '' Father for a Night'', by

(1939) * ''

Diamonds Diamond is a solid form of the element carbon with its atoms arranged in a crystal structure called diamond cubic. Another solid form of carbon known as graphite is the chemically stable form of carbon at room temperature and pressure, ...

'', by

(1939) * '' A Wife in Danger'', by Max Neufeld (1939) * ''

Mad Animals ''Mad Animals'' (Italian:''Animali pazzi'') is a 1939 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia and starring Totò, Luisa Ferida and Calisto Bertramo.Moliterno p.316 It was made at the Titanus Studios in Rom ...

'', by

(1939) * '' La voce senza volto'', by

(1939) * '' The Night of Tricks'', by

Carlo Campogalliani Carlo Campogalliani (10 October 1885 – 10 August 1974) was an Italian screenwriter, actor and film director. Campogalliani directed around eighty films during his career and acted in another fifty. He directed the 1934 sports film ''Stadio''.Re ...

(1939) * ''

The Document ''The Document'' (Italian: ''Il documento'') is a 1939 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Mario Camerini and starring Ruggero Ruggeri, Armando Falconi and María Denis.Stewart p.71 It was made at the Cinecittà Studios in Rome. ...

'', by

(1939) * ''

Two Million for a Smile ''Two Million for a Smile'' (Italian: ''Due milioni per un sorriso'') is a 1939 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Carlo Borghesio and Mario Soldati and starring Enrico Viarisio, Giuseppe Porelli and Elsa De Giorgi.Curti p.22 It ...

'', by Carlo Borghesio (1939) * ''

One Hundred Thousand Dollars ''One Hundred Thousand Dollars'' (Italian: ''Centomila dollari'') is a 1940 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Mario Camerini and starring Assia Noris, Amedeo Nazzari and Lauro Gazzolo.Gundle p.169 It was shot at the Palatino St ...

'', by

(1940) * '' Goodbye Youth'', by

Ferdinando Maria Poggioli Ferdinando Maria Poggioli (15 December 1897 – 2 February 1945) was an Italian screenwriter, film editor and director. He directed fifteen films including the 1940 melodrama '' Goodbye Youth''.Gundle p.56 He had previously worked as assistant ...

(1940) * ''

Big Shoes ''Big Shoes'' (Italian: ''Scarpe grosse'') is a 1940 Italian "Telefoni Bianchi, white-telephones" comedy film directed by Dino Falconi and starring Amedeo Nazzari, Lilia Silvi and Elena Altieri.Pruzzo & Lancia p.63 It is based on a play by Sándor ...

'', by

Dino Falconi Dino Falconi (September 18, 1902–February 17, 1990) was an Italian screenwriter and film director.Waldman p.158 His parents were Armando Falconi and Tina Di Lorenzo, both actors. The actor Arturo Falconi was his uncle. Selected filmography * '' ...

(1940) * ''

Una famiglia impossibile ''Una famiglia impossibile'' (i.e. "An Impossible Family") is a 1940 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia and starring Armando Falconi, Pina Renzi and María Mercader.Fabrizio Sarazani (29 December 1940). " ...

'', by

(1940) * ''

Red Roses Red Roses ( cy, Rhos-goch, "red moor") is a village in Carmarthenshire, Wales. Situated in south-west Carmarthenshire, the village forms part of the Eglwyscummin community, and with Ciffig and Marros, forms part of the Laugharne Township ...

'', by

Giuseppe Amato Giuseppe Amato (born Giuseppe Vasaturo; 24 August 1899 – 3 February 1964) was an Italian film producer, screenwriter and director. He produced 58 films between 1932 and 1961, and is especially known for ''Bicycle Thieves''. He was born in ...

and

(1940) * ''

Then We'll Get a Divorce ''Then We'll Get a Divorce'' (Italian: ''Dopo divorzieremo'') is a 1940 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Nunzio Malasomma and starring Amedeo Nazzari, Vivi Gioi and Lia Orlandini.Gundle p.197 The film's sets were designed by ...

'', by Nunzio Malasomma (1940) * ''

'', by

(1940) * '' La zia smemorata'', by Ladislao Vajda (1940) * ''

Red Tavern ''Red Tavern'' (Italian: ''Taverna rossa'') is a 1940 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Max Neufeld and starring Alida Valli, André Mattoni, and Lauro Gazzolo. It was made at Cinecittà in Rome. A young woman eventually marr ...

'', by Max Neufeld (1940) * '' Non me lo dire!'', by

(1940) * '' The Happy Ghost'', by

(1941) * '' The Brambilla Family Go on Holiday'', by

(1941) * '' Lucky Night'', by

(1941) * ''

'', by

(1941) * '' Teresa Venerdì'', by

(1941) * ''

A Husband for the Month of April ''A Husband for the Month of April'' (Italian: ''Un marito per il mese di aprile'') is a 1941 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Giorgio Simonelli and starring Vanna Vanni, Carlo Romano and Pina Renzi.Brunetta p.96 It was shot ...

'', by

Giorgio Simonelli Giorgio Simonelli (14 November 1901 Birth name: Giorgio Simonelli. – 3 October 1966), was an Italian film director, editor, screenwriter and journalist. Life and career Born in Rome, Simonelli obtained a high school diploma in business stud ...

(1941) * '' The Adventuress from the Floor Above'', by

(1941) * '' The Last Dance'', by

(1941) * ''

I Live as I Please ''I Live as I Please'' ( it, Voglio vivere così) is a 1942 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Ferruccio Tagliavini, Silvana Jachino and Luigi Almirante.Chiti & Poppi p.415 It was shot at the Titanus ...

'', by

(1942) * '' The Queen of Navarre'', by

Carmine Gallone Carmine Gallone (10 September 1885 – 11 March 1973) was an early Italian film director, screenwriter, and film producer, who was also controversial for his works of pro-Fascist propaganda and historical revisionism. Considered one of Itali ...

(1942) * '' Wedding Day'', by

(1942) * '' La signorina'', by László Kish (1942) * ''

Happy Days ''Happy Days'' is an American television sitcom that aired first-run on the ABC network from January 15, 1974, to July 19, 1984, with a total of 255 half-hour episodes spanning 11 seasons. Created by Garry Marshall, it was one of the most su ...

'', by

(1942) * ''

C'è sempre un ma! ''C'è sempre un ma!'' is a 1942 Italian " white-telephones" drama film directed by Luigi Zampa and starring Carla Del Poggio. Cast * Carla Del Poggio as Carla * Adriana Benetti as Giulia * Rubi Dalma as Laura * Jone Morino as Isabella * Ar ...

'', by

Luigi Zampa Luigi Zampa (2 January 1905 – 16 August 1991) was an Italian film director. Biography Son of a worker, Zampa studied filmmaking from 1932 to 1937 at the Italian film school Centro sperimentale di cinematografia in Rome. He directed several ...

(1942) * '' Il birichino di papà'', by

(1942) * '' Music on the Run'', by

(1943) * ''

Lively Teresa ''Lively Teresa'' (Italian: ''La vispa Teresa'') is a 1943 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Lilia Silvi, Roberto Villa and Carlo Ninchi. It was produced in the style of the White Telephone comedie ...

'', by

(1943) * '' Without a Woman'', by

Alfredo Guarini Alfredo Guarini (1901–1981) was an Italian screenwriter, film producer and director. Guarini is noted in particular for his management of the career of the Italian actress Isa Miranda, who he eventually married. In the mid-1930s he was responsib ...

(1943) * ''

Seven Years of Happiness ''Seven Years of Happiness'' (Italian: ''Sette anni di felicità'') is a 1943 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Ernst Marischka and Roberto Savarese and starring Vivi Gioi, Wolf Albach-Retty and Hans Moser. The film's sets were ...

'', by

Roberto Savarese Roberto Savarese (1910–1996) was an Italian screenwriter and film director. He also worked as an assistant or second unit director, as he did on Henri-Georges Clouzot's ''The Wages of Fear'' in 1953.Lloyd p.92 Selected filmography * '' La prin ...

(1943) * ''

Anything for a Song ''Anything for a Song'' ( it, Ho tanta voglia di cantare) is a 1943 Italian " white-telephones" musical film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Ferruccio Tagliavini, Vera Carmi and Luisa Rossi.Chiti & Poppi p.176 It was shot at the Palatino ...

'', by

(1943) * '' A Little Wife'', by Giorgio Bianchi (1943) * ''

What a Distinguished Family ''What a Distinguished Family'' (Italian: ''Che distinta famiglia!'') is a 1945 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Mario Bonnard and starring Gino Cervi, Assia Noris and Aroldo Tieri.Moliterno p.227 The film's art direction A ...

'', by

(1945)

Notes

References

Bibliography

* * *

External links

* {{Italian film genres Italian films by genre Film genres Italian words and phrases Conservatism in Italy 1930s in film 1940s in film

Name

Origins

Overview

Characteristics

Major figures

Censorship

Effect on neorealism

Aftermath

Notable films

See also

Notes

References

Bibliography

External links