The Scientific Cardplayer
| The Scientific Cardplayer Lo Scopone Scientifico | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Luigi Comencini |
| Produced by | Dino De Laurentiis |
| Written by | Rodolfo Sonego |
| Starring | Alberto Sordi, Silvana Mangano, Bette Davis |
| Music by | Piero Piccioni |
| Cinematography | Giuseppe Ruzzolini |
| Edited by | Nino Baragli |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 115 minutes |
| Country | Italy |
| Language | Italian |
The Scientific Cardplayer is the English language title of a 1972 Italian drama film directed by Luigi Comencini. The screenplay was written by Rodolfo Sonego.
Synopsis
An aging American millionairess journeys to Rome each year with her chauffeur George to play the card game scopone with destitute Peppino and his wife Antonia. The annual scenario remains unchanged: she donates the initial stakes so they can play, then ultimately wins the game, shattering the couple's dream of scoring a victory and improving their lot in life. Eventually their daughter Cleopatra seeks revenge on her parents' behalf.
Production notes
The film's Italian title is Lo scopone scientifico.
Bette Davis was in the midst of a three-week vacation at the health spa La Costa in Carlsbad, California when she received the script. On twenty-four-hour notice she flew to Rome for filming. It wasn't until the first day of shooting she learned the dialogue was to be recorded in Italian. Of her co-star she said, "My name for Albert Sordi was Albert Sordid. It was unforgivable of him to refuse to speak English with me, especially as he spoke very good English." [1]
This was the third on-screen pairing for Davis and Joseph Cotten. They previously co-starred in Beyond the Forest (1949) and Hush… Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964).
Principal cast
- Bette Davis ..... The Millionairess
- Joseph Cotten ..... George
- Alberto Sordi ..... Peppino
- Silvana Mangano ..... Antonia
- Antonella Demaggi ..... Cleopatra
- Mario Carotenuto ..... The Professor
- Domenico Modugno ..... Righetto
Principal production credits
- Producer ..... Dino De Laurentiis
- Original Music ..... Piero Piccioni
- Cinematography ..... Giuseppe Ruzzolini
- Art Direction ..... Luigi Scaccianoce
- Costume Design ..... Bruna Parmesan
Critical reception
TV Guide says, "One's enjoyment of this picture is correlated with one's understanding of scopa." [2]
Awards
- 1973 David di Donatello Award for Best Actor (Alberto Sordi, winner)
- 1973 David di Donatello Award for Best Actress (Silvana Mangano, winner)
- 1973 Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists Nastro d'Argento for Best Supporting Actor (Mario Carotenuto, winner)
See also
Lo Scopone Scientifico at Italian Wikipedia
References
- ↑ Mother Goddam by Whitney Stine, with a running commentary by Bette Davis, Hawthorn Books, 1974, pp. 333-34 (ISBN 0-8015-5184-6)
- ↑ TV Guide review