Marisa Merlini (6 August 1923 – 27 July 2008) was an Italian character actress active in Italy's post-

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 ...

cinema. Merlini appeared in over fifty

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 during her career, which spanned from World War II to 2005. In Luigi Comencini's 1953 film '' Pane, amore e fantasia'', she portrayed Annarella, a village

midwife A midwife is a health professional who cares for mothers and newborns around childbirth, a specialization known as midwifery. The education and training for a midwife concentrates extensively on the care of women throughout their lifespan; ...

, who marries the local

police The police are a Law enforcement organization, constituted body of Law enforcement officer, persons empowered by a State (polity), state, with the aim to law enforcement, enforce the law, to ensure the safety, health and possessions of citize ...

marshal Marshal is a term used in several official titles in various branches of society. As marshals became trusted members of the courts of Medieval Europe, the title grew in reputation. During the last few centuries, it has been used for elevated o ...

, played by

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 ...

Biography

A native of

Rome , established_title = Founded , established_date = 753 BC , founder = King Romulus ( legendary) , image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg , map_caption ...

, where she was born on 6 August 1923, Merlini was well known for playing the ''romana verace'', or "born-and-bred Roman" characters. Merlini also appeared in several high-profile comedic films alongside Italian actor, Totò, as well as the 1960 film '' Il vigile'' with actor Alberto Sordi. Additionally, Merlini appeared in a number of films opposite her real life friend, Italian actress

Anna Magnani Anna Maria Magnani (; 7 March 1908 – 26 September 1973) was an Italian actress.Obituary ''Variety'', 3 October 1973, pg. 47 She was known for her explosive acting and earthy, realistic portrayals of characters. Born in Rome, she worked her ...

. Merlini's awards included the

Nastro d'Argento The Nastro d'Argento, also known by its translated name Silver Ribbon, is an Italian film award awarded each year since 1946 by the Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists (Italian: ''Sindacato Nazionale Giornalisti Cinematografici Italian ...

(Silver Ribbon), a

film critic Film criticism is the analysis and evaluation of films and the film medium. In general, film criticism can be divided into two categories: journalistic criticism that appears regularly in newspapers, magazines and other popular mass-media outlets ...

s' award in 1957 for portraying a

tourist Tourism is travel for pleasure or business; also the theory and practice of touring, the business of attracting, accommodating, and entertaining tourists, and the business of operating tours. The World Tourism Organization defines tourism ...

in the 1956 Antonio Racioppi directed film, '' Tempo di Villeggiatura''. Merlini's last appearance on screen came in the 2005 film, ''

La seconda notte di nozze ''La seconda notte di nozze'' (internationally released as ''The Second Wedding Night'') is an Italian comedy- drama film directed by Pupi Avati. It entered the 2005 Venice Film Festival. For this film Katia Ricciarelli won Nastro d'Argento fo ...

'', which was directed by Pupi Avati. Marisa Merlini died in Rome, on 27 July 2008, at the age of 83. Director Pupi Avati, who directed Merlini's final 2005 film, ''La seconda notte di nozze'', paid tribute to Merlini saying, ''"Marisa brought to the set the experience of somebody who had taken part in the golden years of Italian cinema, but she was down-to-earth both in front of and behind the camera...'' Working with her was an honour and a fantastic experience."

Selected filmography

*1942: '' Stasera niente di nuovo'' - Un ospite dell'istituto *1946: '' Roma, città libera'' - Mara *1949: '' Toto Looks for a House'' - Patronessa *1949: ''

L'Imperatore di Capri ''The Emperor of Capri'' (Italian: ''L'imperatore di Capri'') is a 1949 Italian comedy film directed by Luigi Comencini and starring Totò, Yvonne Sanson and Marisa Merlini.Moliterno p.88 The film's sets were designed by the art director Carlo ...

'' - La baronesa von Krapfen *1949: ''Marechiaro'' - Un' invitata al pranzo di nozze *1949: ''Se fossi deputato'' - Olga Olghis *1949: ''Vivere a sbafo'' *1950: ''

Toto Looks for a Wife ''Toto Looks for a Wife'' (Italian: ''Totò cerca moglie'') is a 1950 Italian comedy film directed by Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia and starring Totò, Ave Ninchi and Marisa Merlini.Moliterno, Gino. ''The A to Z of Italian Cinema''. Scarecrow Press, 2 ...

'' - Luisa, la modella *1950: '' Lo Zappatore'' *1951: ''

The Black Captain ''The Black Captain'' (Italian: ''Il capitano nero'') is a 1951 Italian historical adventure film directed by Giorgio Ansoldi and Alberto Pozzetti and starring Steve Barclay, Marina Berti and Paul Muller. The film's sets were designed by Alfre ...

'' - Lucrezia Adinolfi *1951: ''

Rome-Paris-Rome ''Rome-Paris-Rome'' ( it, Signori, in carrozza!) is a 1951 French-Italian comedy film directed by Luigi Zampa and starring Aldo Fabrizi, Sophie Desmarets and Peppino De Filippo. It was shot at the Farnesina Studios in Rome and on location in ...

'' - Signora nel vagone letto *1951: ''

Stasera sciopero ''Stasera sciopero'' is a 1951 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Bonnard. Plot Augusto, rich and miserly ''pizzicagnolo'', is attacked on his way home. During the fight the attacker is fatally wounded with his own revolver. He was a poor ...

'' - Gemma *1951: ''

Napoleon Napoleon Bonaparte ; it, Napoleone Bonaparte, ; co, Napulione Buonaparte. (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader wh ...

'' - Giuseppina Beauharnais *1951: '' L'eroe sono io'' *1951: '' The Two Sergeants'' *1952: ''

Viva il cinema! ''Viva il cinema!'' is a 1952 Italian comedy film directed by Giorgio Baldaccini and Enzo Trapani. Cast * Delia Scala as Palmina * Fiorenzo Fiorentini as Tonino * Virgilio Riento as Gambalesta * Corrado Alba as Ugo * Marilyn Buferd as T ...

'' - Jacqueline *1952: '' Amori e veleni'' - Orsola *1952: '' The Passaguai Family Gets Rich'' - La contessa *1952: ''

Ergastolo ''Ergastolo'' (aka ''Prison'') is a black and white 1952 Italian crime melodrama film directed by Luigi Capuano. Plot Rosa Lulli, has an illegitimate 20-year-old son, named Stefano, who lives with her in the house of Professor Arlotta. Stefano ...

'' - Jeannette *1952: ''

In Olden Days ''In Olden Days'' ( it, Altri tempi, link=no, also known as ''Times Gone By'' and ''Infidelity'') is a 1952 Italian anthology film. Plot The cart of old books A good-natured peddler of old books shows his customers some works from the past ...

'' - La signora nell'auto scoperta (segment "Il carrettino dei libri vecchi") *1952: ''

Gli Angeli del quartiere ''The Angels of the District'' (Italian: ''Gli Angeli del quartiere'') is a 1952 Italian drama film directed by Carlo Borghesio and starring Rossana Podestà, Jacques Sernas and Marisa Merlini.Borin p.72 The film's sets were designed by the art di ...

'' - Gianna *1952: '' Gli eroi della domenica'' - Lucy - Cerchio's wife *1952: '' I, Hamlet'' - Regina Gertrud *1952: '' Il tallone d'Achille'' - Zizì *1952: ''

Er fattaccio ''Er fattaccio'' is a 1952 Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian langua ...

'' - Lulù *1952: ''Cani e gatti'' - Donna Filomena *1953: '' Infame accusa'' - Amante di Giovannino *1953: '' I Always Loved You'' - Lucia *1953: '' Pane, amore e fantasia'' - Anna Mirziato *1953: ''

'' *1953: ''Tormento d'anime'' *1953: '' Sua Altezza ha detto: no!'' - Liubitza *1953: ''

Finalmente libero! ''Finalmente libero!'' (i. e. "Finally free!") is a 1953 Italian comedy film written and directed by Mario Amendola and Ruggero Maccari and starring Carlo Dapporto and Nadia Gray.Ezio Colombo. "Finalmente libero!" (review). ''Festival'' (71). 8 M ...

'' - Woman in the Court *1953: ''Anna perdonami'' *1954: ''La prigioniera di Amalfi'' *1954: '' Pane, amore e gelosia'' - La levatrice *1954: ''

The Lovers of Manon Lescaut ''The Lovers of Manon Lescaut'' (Italian: ''Gli amori di Manon Lescaut'') is a 1954 French-Italian historical melodrama film directed by Mario Costa and starring Myriam Bru, Franco Interlenghi and Roger Pigaut.Goble p.375 It is based on the 1731 ...

'' - Elisa *1954: ''Due lacrime'' - Valeria *1954: ''Di qua, di là del Piave'' *1955: ''

Le signorine dello 04 ''Le signorine dello 04'' (''The ladies of the 04'') is a 1955 Italian romantic comedy-drama film directed by Gianni Franciolini. Cast *Antonella Lualdi: Maria Teresa Landolfi *Antonio Cifariello: Amleto *Giovanna Ralli: Bruna *Roberto Risso ...

'' - Vera Colasanti *1955: ''

The Song of the Heart "The Song of the Heart" is a song written and performed by Prince for the 2006 film ''Happy Feet''. The song came about when Prince was approached to allow his song "Kiss" to appear in the film. Prince was initially hesitant to sign off on its u ...

'' - Silvia *1955: '' Destination Piovarolo'' - Sara *1955: ''Cortile'' *1956: '' Il bigamo'' - Enza Masetti *1956: '' Tempo di villeggiatura'' - Margherita Pozzi *1956: '' Porta un bacione a Firenze'' - Sig.ra Rosa *1957: ''

Padri e figli ''Fathers and Sons'' ( it, Padri e figli and also known as ''A Tailor's Maid'') is a 1957 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Monicelli. At the 7th Berlin International Film Festival Monicelli won the Silver Bear for Best Director award. P ...

'' - Ines Santarelli *1957: '' The Most Wonderful Moment'' - Margherita Rosati *1957: ''Liane, die weiße Sklavin'' - Schwester *1957: ''

Doctor and the Healer ''Doctor and the Healer'' ( it, Il medico e lo stregone) is a 1957 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Monicelli. Plot The young Dr. Marchetti relocates to a small mountain village in rural southern Italy. He quickly runs into trouble with ...

'' - Mafalda *1957: ''

Husbands in the City ''Husbands in the City'' ( it, Mariti in città) is a 1957 Italian comedy film directed by Luigi Comencini. Plot When wives go on vacation, husbands hope to have fun but they don't always succeed. Cast * Nino Taranto: Giacinto * Franco Fabriz ...

'' - Aida *1957: '' Vacanze a Ischia'' *1957: ''Dinanzi a noi il cielo'' - Madre di Tom *1958: '' Ladro lui, ladra lei'' - Marialele *1958: '' Io, mammeta e tu'' - Donna Amalia, la madre *1958: ''

Resurrection Resurrection or anastasis is the concept of coming back to life after death. In a number of religions, a dying-and-rising god is a deity which dies and is resurrected. Reincarnation is a similar process hypothesized by other religions, whic ...

'' - Bockowa *1958: ''Il bacio del sole (Don Vesuvio)'' - Carmela Spada *1959: '' Everyone's in Love'' - Jolanda *1959: '' World of Miracles'' - Franca *1959: ''La cento chilometri'' - Angela *1959: ''

Juke box urli d'amore ''Juke box - Urli d'amore'' is a 1959 "musicarello" (musical comedy film), directed by Mauro Morassi. The film stars Mario Carotenuto and the singers Mina and Adriano Celentano. Plot Mario, a little slacker who thrives on his wits, has just been ...

'' - Marisa Loreto *1959: '' Roulotte e roulotte'' - Anna *1960: '' I piaceri dello scapolo'' - Evelina *1960: ''

Il carro armato dell'8 settembre ''Il carro armato dell'8 settembre'' is a 1960 Italian film. It stars actor Gabriele Ferzetti. Cast * Gabriele Ferzetti: Tommaso * Elsa Martinelli: Mirella * Dorian Gray: soubrette * Marisa Merlini: Palmira * Yvonne Furneaux * Mario Valdemarin * ...

'' - Palmira *1960: '' La garçonnière'' - Pupa *1960: '' Il vigile'' - Amalia Celletti *1960: ''

Ferragosto in bikini ''Ferragosto in bikini'' is a 1960 Italian comedy film directed by Marino Girolami. The film is named after a hit song of musical group Quartetto Cetra, who also makes a brief cameo appearance. Cast * Walter Chiari: Walter * Ennio Girolami: Da ...

'' - Marta *1961: ''

Le ambiziose ''Le Ambiziose '' is a 1961 Italian film, directed by Antonio Amendola. Cast * Marisa Merlini as Letizia Proietti * Memmo Carotenuto as the police marshall * Ave Ninchi as Ines * Raffaele Pisu as Nando Moriconi * Aroldo Tieri as Goffredo Innam ...

'' - La signora Letizia Proietti *1961: ''

World in My Pocket ''World in My Pocket'' (also known as ''On Friday at Eleven'') is a 1961 European crime-drama film directed by Alvin Rakoff. The film was a co-production between West Germany (where it was released as ''An einem Freitag um halb zwölf''), France ...

'' - Frau Mandini *1961: ''Gli incensurati'' - Olimpia *1961: '' Akiko'' - Ottavia Colasanto *1961: ''

Il giudizio universale ''The Last Judgment'' ( it, Il giudizio universale) is a 1961 commedia all'italiana film by Italian director Vittorio De Sica. It was coproduced with France. It has an all-star Italian and international cast, including Americans Jack Palance, E ...

'' - Mother of tomato-throwing child *1961: ''Liane, die Tochter des Dschungels'' *1961: ''

His Women ''His Women'' ( it, Il mantenuto) is a 1961 Italian comedy film directed by and starring Ugo Tognazzi. It was shown as part of a retrospective on Italian comedy at the 67th Venice International Film Festival. Cast * Ugo Tognazzi as Stefano Garb ...

'' - Amalia *1961: ''Mariti a congresso'' *1961: ''Fra' Manisco cerca guai'' - Carmela *1962: '' Nerone '71'' *1962: '' La Vendetta'' - La postière *1962: '' Colpo gobbo all'italiana'' - Nunziata Maggiola *1962: ''Le massaggiatrici'' - Bice Petroni *1963: ''

Destination Rome ''Destination Rome'' (French : ''Tempo di Roma'', Italian: ''Esame di guida'') is a 1963 French-Italian comedy film directed by Denys de La Patellière and starring Charles Aznavour, Serena Vergano, Marisa Merlini and Arletty. It was one of a larg ...

'' - Pia *1963: '' I mostri'' - Paola Fioravanti (segment "Testimone volontario") *1963: ''La chica del trébol'' *1964: '' Crucero de verano'' - Carolina *1964: '' Ragazza in prestito'' - Regina *1964: ''Squillo'' *1965: '' Loca juventud'' - Madre de Johnny *1965: '' La fabbrica dei soldi'' - Ermelina *1966: ''Les combinards'' - Rosaria *1966: '' Io, io, io... e gli altri'' - Lady on the telephone *1967: '' The Peking Medallion'' - Madame Vulcano *1967: ''

All Mad About Him ''All Mad About Him'' (French: ''Toutes folles de lui'') is a 1967 French-Italian comedy film directed by Norbert Carbonnaux and starring Robert Hirsch, Sophie Desmarets and Maria Latour.Cowie & Elley p.136 The film's sets were designed by the a ...

'' - Allegra *1967: ''Gli altri, gli altri... e noi'' *1968: '' Donne, botte e bersaglieri'' - Mrs Jole *1968: '' Il grande silenzio - Regina *1970: '' Lisa dagli occhi blu'' - Moglie del Telegrafista *1970: '' Dramma della gelosia – Tutti i particolari in cronaca'' - Silvana Ciafrocchi *1970: '' Ninì Tirabusciò: la donna che inventò la mossa'' - Ciccio's Assistant / Arab Dancer *1971: ''Mio padre Monsignore'' - Tosca *1972: ''Non commettere atti impuri'' - Maria Teresa's mother *1972: ''Continuavano a chiamarli i due piloti più matti del mondo'' - Signora Cesire *1972: ''Il maschio ruspante'' - Mother Giustina / Marcella - the prostitute *1974: ''A pugni nudi'' - Amalia, Paolo's Mother *1974: ''L'albero dalle foglie rosa'' *1974: ''Les bidasses s'en vont en guerre'' - Paulette Brugnon *1975: ''

Le dolci zie ''Le dolci zie'' (i.e. "The Sweet Aunts") is a 1975 commedia sexy all'italiana written and directed by Mario Imperoli and starring Pascale Petit, Femi Benussi, and Marisa Merlini. Plot When young Libero loses his parents he is taken in by his ...

'' - Fiorella *1976: ''

Oh, Serafina! ''Oh, Serafina!'' is a 1976 Italian comedy-drama film directed by Alberto Lattuada. It is strictly based on the novel with the same name by Giuseppe Berto. For this film Fred Bongusto was awarded with a Nastro d'Argento for Best Score. Cast * ...

'' - Belinda Valle *1976: ''Stangata in famiglia'' - Aida *1976: ''

Batton Story ''Batton Story'' ( it, Le impiegate stradali, literally ''The road employees'') is a 1976 commedia sexy all'italiana directed by Mario Landi. Synopsis A Roman teacher takes the side of a group of prostitutes and sets up a trade union to support ...

'' - Zaira *1977: '' La Bidonata'' - Maria *1978: '' La mazzetta'' - Elena Miletti *1978: ''

Una bella governante di colore Una and UNA may refer to: Places * 160 Una, the asteroid "Una", an asteroid named after the Faerie Queene character * Una River (disambiguation), numerous rivers * Una, Himachal Pradesh, a town in India ** Una, Himachal Pradesh Assembly constitue ...

'' - Aspasia - wife of Nicola *1980: '' La moglie in vacanza... l'amante in città'' - Valeria's Mother *1980: ''L'altra donna'' - Olga's Mother *1980: ''

Mia moglie torna a scuola ''Mia moglie torna a scuola'' is a 1981 ''commedia sexy all'italiana'' film directed by Giuliano Carnimeo and starring Renzo Montagnani with Carmen Russo, an early 1980s star of the genre.- Plot Aristide Buratti (Montagnani) is a wealthy groc ...

'' - La preside *1981: '' L'onorevole con l'amante sotto il letto'' - Virginia Battistoni *1981: ''

Cornetti alla crema ''Cornetti alla crema'' a.k.a. ''Cream Horn'' and ''Creampuffs'' is a 1981 commedia sexy all'italiana, directed by Sergio Martino. Edwige Fenech, Lino Banfi and Milena Vukotic are featured in a comedic tale about a couple attempting to elude th ...

'' - Zaira, Marianna's Mother *1981: '' Pierino contro tutti'' - La chiromante *1982: ''

Il tifoso, l'arbitro e il calciatore ''Il tifoso, l'arbitro e il calciatore'' (''The Supporter, the Referee and the Footballer'') is a 1983 Italian comedy film written and directed by Pier Francesco Pingitore. Cast ; Segment ''L'arbitro e il calciatore'' *Alvaro Vitali as Alvaro ...

'' - Mother of Manuela *1982: '' Storia d'amore e d'amicizia'' (TV Mini-Series) - Garibalda *1982: ''Gian Burrasca'' - Zia Bettina *1983: ''Sfrattato cerca casa equo canone'' - Moglie di Maciste *1983: ''Arrivano i miei'' *1992: '' Mutande pazze'' - Aunt of Alessia *1992: '' Ricky & Barabba'' - Barabba's mother *1995: ''A Dio piacendo'' - Ileana *1996: ''

Stella's Favor ''Stella's Favor'', originally ''Mi fai un favore'', is a 1996 Italian comedy film directed by Giancarlo Scarchilli. Cast * Ornella Muti: Stella * Maria Amelia Monti: Roberta * Claudio Bigagli: Leonardo * Jo Champa: Stefania * Alessandro Ga ...

'' - Amelia *1999: ''Vacanze sulla neve'' - Countess Eloisa *1999: ''Pazzo d'amore'' *2000: ''

Le ali della vita ''Le ali della vita'' (The Wings of Life) is an Italian television miniseries directed by Stefano Reali. Cast Characters season 1 * Sabrina Ferilli: Rosanna Ranzi * Virna Lisi: Sister Alberta * Ute Maria Lerner: Sister Federica * Tobias Hoesl ...

'' (TV Movie) - Sorella Adele *2000: '' Teste di cocco'' - Nonna *2001: ''Reisei to jônetsu no aida'' - Gina *2003: '' Le ali della vita 2'' (TV Movie) *2005: ''

'' - Eugenia Ricci

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Merlini, Marisa 1923 births 2008 deaths Italian film actresses Actresses from Rome Nastro d'Argento winners 20th-century Italian actresses People of Lazian descent