Independent Exhibitors Film Bulletin (1947)

'SCHOOLGIRL DIARY' OUTSTANDING ITALIAN COMEDY Rates • • O for art theatres and Italian naborhoods Film Distributor Co. 95 minutes Valli, Irasema Dilian, Andrea Checchi, Gulditta Rissone, Ada Dondini, Carlo Campanini, Sandro Ruffini, Nino Micheluzzi, Directed by Mario Mattoli. By far the best Italian film comedy imported in years, "Schoolgirl Diary" is reminiscent of, but vastly superior to, "Girls' Dormitory," a Tyrone Power-Simone Simon co-starrer of a decade ago. It compares favorably with any of the top French features seen recently in sensitivity, humor. patlios and heart interest. It is a natural for art theatres and Italian naborhood houses. In the former spots it should appeal to adult patrons particularly, although youngsters will appreciate its sympathetic portraycl of adolescents. Screenplay, adaptation and direction by Mario Mattoli are, in the main, excellent; the picture's only fault is its slight plot and contrived climax. Andrea Checchi, chemistry professor in a girls' boarding school, is called into the office of Guiditta Rissone, the principal, who shows him the diaries confiscated from the third form. Each book is filled with declarations of passion for Checchi, the most ardent are those of wealthy, sorority president Valli. a beautiful but lax student. One diary is missing: that of studious, pretty Irasenia Dilian, who claims to have destroyed it and refuses to reveal its contents. Already jealous of the studious Irasema because of the apparent favoritism shown her by the professor, Valli turns the other girls against her as a "spy." One night Irasema is seen in the garden embracing a man, apparently the professor. Disgraced, she flees the school the following evening, is found, badly injured by a fall, and brought back by the professor. She recovers, reveals the man she'd been seen embracing was her father, a fugitive from the law. At end. her father's name is cleared and she becomes the most popular girl in the school. Professor Checchi weds Valli. 'THE GREAT DAWN' NOVEL ITALIAN MUSICAL HAS GREAT POSSIBILITIES Rates • • • in art houses and Italian naborhoods Superfilm Distributing Corp. 83 minutes Pierino Gamba, Ranee Faure, Rossano Brazzi, Giovanni Grasso, Michele Riecardini. Directed by G. M. Scotese. Here is 100 per cent entertainment for foreign film fans, particularly music lovers. Properly promoted — and it has limitless exploitation possibilities — it should gross heavily in Italian naborhoods and art theatres. Except for nine-year-old conductorprodigy Pierino Gamba, featured in Life's June 30 issue, the cast is virtually unknown to U. S. audiences; but all the performances, particularly those of Renee Faure as Pierino's mother and of Michele Riecardini as a fun-loving priest, are on a par with Hollywood's best. The pictu e's magnificent score, ccmpr'shig «-e"ections by Beethoven, Schubert am'' T'ossini, is brilliantly played by the Rome Onern Orchestra under the direction of '. r:;-!' G~mbri, hailed by European music critics as the "pocket Toscanini." Filmed amid impressive Roman settings, the picture contains excellent production value, is high in humor content, heart interest and suspense. Unsuccessful composer Rossano Brazzi, stifled by his surroundings in Rome, goes to Paris, leaving behind him Renee Faure and their son Pierino Gamba. Almost destitute, Renee goes to work but soon has to appeal to her wealthy father Giovanni Grasso for aid. Neighborhood priest Michele Riecardini discovers Pierino has phenomenal musical talent, sets out to make the boy a great conductor. As Grasso despises music and musicians, the priest's task is not easy. By subterfuge he succeeds not only in training the lad but tricks Grasso mtc financing Pierino's debut. Me'^nwhile Renee, hearing her husb'^nd is penniless m Paris, goes there, finds him wor'tini; as a carnival clovv'n. To pay their return fare, Brazzi steals some money from his boss, is arrested and given ninety d-' s in jiil. On the eve cf Pierino's debut. Gr sso d'sro 'ers he's been duped and. accompanied bv the police, hurries to the Basilica di Massensio. There, Pierino's triumph on the podium, and the return of his own investment plus eighteen per cent interest, tempers Grasso's fury. A POT OVOLD at your BOX-OFFICE i r sunset CARSOii It's !H^'s*o!T for SUNSHINE THROUGH ASTOR EXCHANGES IN U. S. & CANADA WORLD DISTRIBUTORS: ASTOR PICTURES CORP. 1 30 W.46 ST., N. Y. 1 9, N. Y. Coble Address : ASTORPIC