La madone d'or

Directed by Hungarian Ladislao Vajda, The Golden Madonna is a delight. From leading actors Phyllis Calvert, who inherits a crumbling Italian villa and Michael Rennie, to a bright, breezy script about a lost relic, in the form of the Madonna painting of the title, to on location filming and fun on the Isle of Capri, this European movie positively zips along, hardly pausing for breath. Some hints of Italian Neorealism in the war torn streets populated by urchin children but with splendid cinematography, there are many inventive camera shots with eye catching angles to detract from some of the obvious poverty apparent. A little gem of a post war film that never let's up. Highly recommended. In black and white which probably makes it look more authentic oddly enough, in line with classics like Bicycle Theives.

The sound and picture quality are pretty rough at the start, in the copy currently showing on tubi channel; they get better after the first five minutes. The trivia here tells us this film was thought to be lost for years. Patricia inherits property in italy, but because of the drought, it won't be producing any crops. Then patricia discovers that she may have burned an important painting that means so much to the locals. Or has she?? She runs all over town trying to find out what happened to it. Can she find it in time for the holy celebration day? Some suspense while we follow along, and hope for the best. Patricia and christie want to get it back without paying too much, and the antique dealer is determined to take her for all she's worth. The trivia section tells us a couple minutes were shaved off for the brit version, which is clearly what is now on tubi. What was so horrible that it had to be edited? It's a pretty good story! And some beautiful scenery... did they really film in capri? As of today, no locations listed, darn it. Stars phyllis calvert, tullio carminati, michael rennie. Based on a story by dorothy hope. She had several works made into feature films.

Phyllis Calvert's not known for her light touch but here she's very likeable as she scampers about on attractive Neapolitan locations in this disarming little shaggy dog story that topically ends (SLIGHT SPOILER COMING:) with a drought finally resolved by rain.

Watching this now on Talking Pictures. Although obviously in Black and White you can capture the era. Wonderful clothes, great acting and fabulous scenery. They don't make them like this anymore. A good story with lots of Italian extras. Even though in Black and White you can picture the era. It is vivid and breathtaking.

Dramatic and wonderful and a joy to watch.

Takes you back to a forgotten time but vividly depicted by these two wonderful actors.

What more can I add. The film has just come to an end and the music i e the score has finished but I am still immersed in it and reminiscing of holidays in Italy.