Casablanca, a film regularly cited as one of the greatest movies of all time, was released 70 years ago. It gave us phrases that have passed into the English language, ("Here's looking at you, kid," "Round up the usual suspects", "We'll always have Paris," and "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship", to name but a few). And it cemented Humphrey Bogart's reputation as the most irresistible anti-hero to cast his weary gaze on the silver screen.
But Casablanca also set a noble and inspiring standard at a time of moral equivalence, prodding the United States to enter the war raging in Europe. Its message is as important today as it was in 1942.
Casablanca was set in contemporary North Africa, during the Second World War, and it involved a love triangle. Humphrey Bogart's character had a choice: to keep Ingrid Bergman, the love of his life, with him in Casablanca, or to send her away with her Czech resistance leader husband. In the end, Bogart sacrificed his own happiness, knowing his rival, fighting against fascism, needed the support of Bergman. As Bogart says at the end of the film, "The problems of three little people in a big world don't add up to much."
I first saw It Started in Naples when I was a young child. I really didn't know what it was about, but I liked it. I liked it I guess, as one of the three main characters was a young boy like myself, though he was an Italian boy, and I American. Anyway I liked it. And the fact that the gorgeous Sophia Loren was the female lead didn't hurt at all. She was gorgeous in this film, along with her awesome co-star, the imcomparable
Clark Gable. What a cast?
Though the name implies that the story is set in the southern Italian City of Naples (Napoli), it actually takes place on the beautiful ISle of Capri, in the Bay of Naples. The film was shot on location and is quite lovely. The film is a light romantic comedy that is quite entertaining.
When American lawyer Michael Hamilton (Clark Gable) hears that his estranged younger brother and sister-in-law have died in a car accident, he flies to Naples, Italy, to settle their estate. Upon arriving, the xenophobic Hamilton meets his impish nephew, Nando (Marietto), for the first time, and decides he will bring the boy back with him to the United States. But when Nando's gorgeous aunt, Lucia Curcio (Sophia Loren), protests, a lengthy and heated custody battle ensues.
Two of the most memorable scenes in the movie are, 1) when Clark Gable host his nephew Nando to lunch to teach him the art of eating one of America's most iconic and enduring foods, the Hamburger. The scene is very cute, as the child actor playing Nando (the nephew) is quite comical.
The second scene that is very memorable is when Mr. Hamilton (Gable) goes to the night club that Lucia works at, and she is singing the iconic Neapolitan song Tu vuo fa l'Americano ( Do you want to be American). This scene is iconic and everyone should see it at least once in their life. Take note, that 30 years later, Jude Law and Matt Damon would sing this song in the popular hit movie The Talented Mr. Ripley.
Anyway, It Started in Naples in a wonderful little film. If you ever get the cahnce to see it, you must. Watch the charms of three great actors: Clark Gable, Sophia Loren, and yes Carlo Angeletti, playing little Nando, and doing a terrific job, hold his own with both the great Clark Gable and Sophia Loren herslf.
Ever want to make Clemenza's Godfather Sunday Sauce Italian Gravy ? The one that Corleone Capo Pete Clemenza show Michael Corleone (AL Pacino )
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"Your Bigshot Friend better come up with something soon.
I didn't come to The UNITED STATES to Bust My ASS Washing Dishes" !!!
I had Oscar say these lines from Scarface. I was new at shooting video, and I wan't to make
a little movie about the New York City Restaurant I was working at the them, Barbetta.
I was the WIne Director and worked with a fun bunch of guys and I wanted to document our
work experience together.
Unfortunately, I didn't get too far on my project, but I do think that these little clips are pretty good.
Youtube didn't even exist when I was making this little film (video). Wish it did, I probably would have pushed further and gotten more done. I know I would have, knowing what I know today. I love Youtube and making little videos, mainly just to document everyday life and how funny it can be. Damn, I wish I would have shot and saved more video. I shot this on video tape, and the camera broke soon after I got it. No digital at the time, no youtube. Wish they would have came out with digital video and Youtube when I was a kid, I would have been able to record so much, and all my trips to South East Asia and Europe that I took before the advent cell phones and digital video.
"Cei la Vie."
OSCAR The SCARFACE MEXICAN
A Film by Daniel Bellino Zwicke
OSCAR The SCARFACE MEXICAN
Written & Directed by DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE
TRAILER
LOUEY LUNA
A Great Guy From Bolivia
We used to have a lot of Fun Together, Joking Around
The SCARFACE MEXICAN
My Old Buddy PEDRO
I asked Pedro, "What do you have Papa?"
He said, "Agnolotti, the one you like."
PEDRO Passed Away a Few Years Ago
We All Miss Him
RIP
"If You Don't Like It? Just go Back Where You Belong"
