
Variety Lights
1950, Drama, 1h 33m
11 Reviews 500+ RatingsYou might also like
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Variety Lights Photos
Movie Info
In Italy, Checco Dal Monte (Peppino De Filippo) manages a troupe of traveling performers with plenty of heart but minimal talent. At a small town engagement, he encounters the starry-eyed, gorgeous Lily Antonelli (Carla Del Poggio), and hires her as a dancer on the show. Vivacious Lily quickly sells out crowds and earns the resentment of Checco's mistress, Melina Amour (Giulietta Masina), but the fledgling performer has far bigger ambitions and soon sets her sights on a higher-profile role.
Cast & Crew
Giulietta Masina
Melina Amour
Melina Amour
Peppino De Filippo
Checco Dal Monte
Checco Dal Monte
Carla Del Poggio
Liliana "Lily" Antonelli
Liliana "Lily" Antonelli
Federico Fellini
Director
Director
Alberto Lattuada
Director
Director
Critic Reviews for Variety Lights
Audience Reviews for Variety Lights
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Jan 09, 2010Federico Fellini co-directed "Variety Lights" with mentor Albert Lattuada, but it clearly bears his stamp -- the showbiz theme and loose, multi-character storytelling foreshadow his entire career. Fellini had not hooked up with composer Nino Rota yet, but the ever-delightful Giuletta Masina is here. The film's story follows a shabby vaudeville troupe led by the likably vulnerable Mr. Checco (Peppino de Filippo). A beautiful dancer seeking fame (Carla Del Poggio) contrives a way into the act and quickly becomes the star. Checco has a pattern of wooing his "discoveries" and soon falls for the new talent. This upsets his previous conquest (Masina), a dubious "master of disguise" who calls herself Melina Amour. Meanwhile, other problems with personnel and bookings threaten to sink the company. The first half is far stronger than its second -- once Del Poggio's character grabs the spotlight, the story loses steam. Still, "Variety Lights" is a must for Fellini fans. And perhaps for Woody Allen fans too -- the scenario seems a likely inspiration for "Broadway Danny Rose."Eric B Super Reviewer
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