Fame Amid the Ruins : Italian Film Stardom in the Age of Neorealism

Italian cinema gave rise to a number of the best-known films of the postwar years, from __Rome Open City__ to __Bicycle Thieves__. Although some neorealist film-makers would have preferred to abolish stars altogether, the public adored them and producers needed their help in relaunching the national film industry. This book explores the many conflicts that arose in Italy between 1945 and 1953 over stars and stardom, offering intimate studies of the careers of both well-known and less familiar figures, shedding new light on the close relationship forged between cinema and society during a time of political transition and shifting national identities. Contents List of Illustrations Acknowledgements Introduction Part I. Italian Cinema and Society, 1945–52 1. Postwar Cinema and the Challenges of Democracy 2. The Film Industry from Fascism to the Cold War 3. The Transformation of the Star System 4. The Public, Film-Going and the Stars Part II. Stardom, Anti-Fascism and Neorealism Introduction 5. Massimo Girotti: Proletarian Apollo 6. Clara Calamai: The Suspension of Glamour 7. Aldo Fabrizi: Nostalgia and Popular Culture 8. Anna Magnani: Authenticity and the Star Persona 9. Andrea Checchi: Shadows of Defeat Part III. Popular Idols for New Times Introduction 10. Totò: Jester of the Republic 11. Silvana Mangano: Beauty and Stardom 12. Amedeo Nazzari: The Hero Domesticated 13. Silvana Pampanini: Dream Girl of the Masses 14. Raf Vallone: The Physiognomy of Fame Part IV. Reconfi gurations of Stardom 15. The Non-professional Actor and Low-Defi nition Stardom 16. Co-productions and International Stardom Conclusion Bibliography Index Italian cinema gave rise to some of the best-known films of the postwar years, and its stars were beloved by both the public and producers. This book explores the many conflicts over stars and stardom that arose during Italian cinema's postwar rebirth, shedding new light on the close relationship forged between cinema and society. Italian cinema gave rise to a number of the best-known films of the postwar years, from Rome Open City to Bicycle Thieves. Although some neorealist film-makers would have preferred to abolish stars altogether, the public adored them and producers needed their help in relaunching the national film industry. This book explores the many conflicts that arose in Italy between 1945 and 1953 over stars and stardom, offering intimate studies of the careers of both well-known and less familiar figures, shedding new light on the close relationship forged between cinema and society during a time of political transition and shifting national identities Italian cinema and the challenges of democracy -- The film industry from fascism to the Cold War -- The transformation of the star system -- The public, film-going and the stars -- Massimo Girotti : proletarian Apollo -- Clara Calamai : the suspension of glamour -- Aldo Fabrizi : nostalgia and popular culture -- Anna Magnani : authenticity and the star persona -- Andrea Checchi : shadows of defeat -- Totò : jester of the Republic -- Silvana Mangano : beauty and stardom -- Amedeo Nazzari : the hero domesticated -- Silvana Pampanini : dream girl of the masses -- Raf Vallone : the physiognomy of fame -- The non-professional actor and low-definition stardom -- Co-productions and the international stardom "Italian cinema gave rise to a number of the best-known films of the postwar years, from Rome Open City to Bicycle Thieves. Although some neorealist film-makers would have preferred to abolish stars altogether, the public adored them and producers needed their help in relaunching the national film industry. This book explores the many conflicts that arose in Italy between 1945 and 1953 over stars and stardom, offering intimate studies of the careers of both well-known and less familiar figures, shedding new light on the close relationship forged between cinema and society during a time of political transition and shifting national identities"-- Provided by publisher