Meet Vittorio de Sica (1953) 🇺🇸
Producer-writer-director-actor Vittorio de Sica is no stranger to the American filmgoers or to the moviegoers of the world.
by Paul Manning
Therefore, the event of de Sica’s first English-speaking film, Terminal Station, is of more than passing interest to eager fans.
Terminal Station, a love story set against the noisy hubbub of the Stazione in colorful Rome, unites the talents of de Sica and two top-flight Hollywood film stars, plus featured players of international importance. The two Hollywoodians, working for the first time under the sensitive direction of de Sica, are Jennifer Jones and Montgomery Clift. Selznick will release this film in the United States, and it is well recognized by the industry that David O. Selznick will perform this chore with his usual enthusiasm and success.
de Sica, with such universal successes as Shoeshine, The Bicycle Thief, and Miracle of Milan to his credit, can no longer be associated only with his native country. He has truly become an international celebrity, one whose accomplishments have been acclaimed by top critics as rich in imagination, sensitive in story treatment, and unforgettable in entertainment value. With two top stars like Miss Jones and Clift to work with, de Sica entered into the making of Terminal Station with unusual high interest. This was a first for him, the first time he was actually working with English-speaking actors, the first time he would, have to get his ideas to his leading actors in English, which, incidentally, he speaks quite carefully and slowly.
Truth is always stranger than fiction, and the truth of the matter was that the idea for Terminal Station was born not in Rome, as one would normally think, but instead in Hollywood. Here de Sica met Selznick for the first time. They spoke, spoke further, and, presto!, Terminal Station resulted.
In regarding the solid lineup of top talent represented in every phase of Terminal Station, the creation, direction, production, players involved, and the acknowledged abilities of Selznick, heading the United States distribution, it is a safe bet to look for something rather big in its box office future. — P. M.
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Good Things to come from Hollywood… MGM’s “Mogambo”
“Mogambo,” that package of jungle adventure and torrid sex, is A-1 evidence that Hollywood producers are not going to be outdone by sex-loaded European films.
by Paul Manning
Producer Sam Zimbalist and director John Ford have worked out a daring yet subtle format, and the pairing of Gable and Gardner fits right in the groove of top-notch sock entertainment. Gable has the best role in many a year, and the saucy provocative Ava gives him a rough tussle for honors in each searing scene.
Zimbalist, who also produced MGM’s smash, King Solomon’s Mines, proves that his ideas in creating box office hits are sure-fire stuff.
The mysterious exotic lure of the African lands are captured in vivid Technicolor, and the many thrilling scenes of wild animal life are photographed with stark and exciting realism. The wild gorilla scenes are especially scary, even from the safety of a theatre seat.
All in all, exhibitors playing Mogambo can forget about TV, all local sporting events, and, indeed, any other kind of competition. Mogambo is loaded with box office dynamite, and will explode in a shower of gold. — P. M.
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Seen above are some of the personalities connected with MGM’s forthcoming Technicolor release, Mogambo, filmed in Africa and England. In the usual left to right, top to bottom, order are Clark Gable and Ava Gardner in one of the film’s romantic moments; Grace Kelly and Miss Gardner; John Ford, veteran director, and Sam Zimbalist, producer.
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Bogart, WB End Deal
Hollywood — Humphrey Bogart last week asked for and received his release from the balance of his Warners’ contract.
Bogart and Jack Warner [Jack L. Warner] both issued statements indicating that the termination of the star’s 17-year employment was amicable.
Bogart said he looked forward to doing pictures for Warners as a free lance artist and Warner remarked on the star’s tenure with the company.
Bogart’s next film will be Sabrina Fair for Paramount, with Audrey Hepburn.
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First English 3-D Set
Hollywood — Margaret Sheridan flew to London to play opposite Dennis O’Keefe in UA’s Million Dollar Diamond, the first 3-D film ever made in England. The suspense thriller marks the directing debut of O’Keefe, who also co-authored the screenplay with John C. Higgins. Million Dollar Diamond establishes another “first” by employing the Spacemaster 3-D camera, a British invention which is said to give perfect synchronization of the two lenses and a consequently improved screen image.
Collection: Exhibitor Magazine (Studio Survey), September 1953