The Barefoot Contessa
The Barefoot Contessa begins at the funeral of Ava Gardner, a former Spanish peasant, cabaret dancer and movie star, who at the time of her death was a full-fledged contessa. Her life story unfolds in flashback recollections from her mourners. Film director Humphrey Bogart recalls how his career was saved when he discovered Gardner on behalf of Howard R. Hughes-like mogul Warren Stevens. Press agent Edmond O'Brien remembers how Ava was wooed and then abandoned by mercurial millionaire Marius Goring, and Italian count Rosanno Brazzi reflects on how he was able to wed the tempestuous Gardner, only to watch his world crumble after revealing on their wedding night that he was "only half a man." O'Brien received Best Supporting Actor awards at both the Academy Awards and Golden Globes in 1954. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
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Product Details
| UPC: | 027616862693 |
|---|---|
| Release Date: | June 19, 2001 |
| Format: | DVD |
| MPAA Rating: | NR |
| Region: | 1 (USA & territories, Canada) |
| Screen: | Pan and Scan for TV |
| Sound: | 5 full-range channels. Includes 3 for the front speakers, 2 surround channels for rear speakers, & 1 low-frequency effects (LFE) channel to carry deep bass effects, PCM mono |
| Language: | English, French |
| Subtitles: | English, French, Spanish; Castilian |
| Disc Aspect Ratio: | 1.33:1 |
| Genre: | Drama |
Review
The Barefoot Contessa combines the flashback structure of Citizen Kane with an attention-grabbing variant of the standard showbiz rags-to-riches story. The film's cynical tone and shifting viewpoint is similar to writer/director Joseph L. Mankiewicz's earlier success, All About Eve. (Citizen Kane was co-written by Joseph L. Mankiewicz's brother, Herman Mankiewicz). The derivative nature of the story aside, The Barefoot Contessa is a beautiful-looking film, with cinematographer Jack Cardiff putting the film's Italian locations to magnificent use. Given what was happening concurrently in Italian cinema, The Barefoot Contessa is an interesting glimpse at neo-realism Hollywood-style. There's very little original about it, but it skillfully combines disparate elements drawn from more classic works. The result, while not a masterpiece, is an intelligent, well-produced example of storytelling, highlighted by occasional bursts of passionate dialogue and solid performances. ~ Richard Gilliam, All Movie GuideCredits
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Mari Aldon | Actor — Myrna |
| Humphrey Bogart | Actor — Harry Dawes |
| Robert Christopher | Actor — Eddie Blake |
| Valentina Cortese | Actor — Eleanora Torlato-Favrini |
| Carlo Dale | Actor — Chauffeur |
| Diana Decker | Actor — Drunken Blonde |
| Gertrude Flynn | Actor — Lulu McGee |
| Bill Fraser | Actor — J. Montague Brown |
| Ava Gardner | Actor — Maria Vargas |
| Jim G | Actor — Mr. Blue |
| Marius Goring | Actor — Alberto Bravano |
| John Horne | Actor — Hector Eubanks |
| Franco Interlenghi | Actor — Pedro |
| Bessie Love | Actor — Mrs. Eubanks |
| Edmond O'Brien | Actor — Oscar Muldoon |
| John Parrish | Actor — Mr. Black |
| Alberto Rabagliati | Actor — Night Club Proprietor |
| Riccardo Rioli | Actor — Gypsy Dancer |
| Elizabeth Sellars | Actor — Jerry |
| Tonio Selwart | Actor — The Pretender |
| Enzo Staiola | Actor — Busboy |
| Rossano Brazzi | Actor — Vincenzo Torlato-Favrini |
| Warren Stevens | Actor — Kirk Edwards |
| Margaret Anderson | Actor — The Pretender's Wife |
| Renato Chiantoni | Actor — Maria's Father |
| Maria Zanoli | Actor — Maria's Mother |
| Joseph L. Mankiewicz | Director |
| Joseph L. Mankiewicz | Screenwriter |
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