Italian Americans In Pre-Codes

Open, general discussion of classic sound-era films, personalities and history.
Post Reply
User avatar
telical
Posts: 1170
Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2011 10:46 pm

Italian Americans In Pre-Codes

Post by telical » Mon Mar 02, 2015 4:04 pm

I just watched Mister Antonio (1929), which was pretty good.
Are there other Italian Americans in Pre-Codes?
--
Robert Pearson
http://www.paramind.net" target="_blank
http://www.telicalbooks.com" target="_blank
http://www.regenerativemusic.net" target="_blank

R Michael Pyle
Posts: 3454
Joined: Wed May 27, 2009 1:10 pm

Re: Italian Americans In Pre-Codes

Post by R Michael Pyle » Mon Mar 02, 2015 4:49 pm

If you like Leo Carrillo in "Mister Antonio" - frankly, only okay in my opinion - he DOES shine well in "The Guilty Generation" (1931), which in many respects is ABOUT growing up an Italian American. Really neglected film should be seen more. "The Broken Wing" is only fair, but it's got Lupe Velez in it. As far as other Italian Americans in Pre-Codes, I'll put on my thinking cap.

Oh, and for the record, Leo Carrillo was born in Los Angeles, and, according to the IMDb, could trace his roots "back to the Conquistadors". Not sure that qualifies as American - Italian...

User avatar
Mike Gebert
Site Admin
Posts: 9369
Joined: Sat Dec 15, 2007 3:23 pm
Location: Chicago
Contact:

Re: Italian Americans In Pre-Codes

Post by Mike Gebert » Mon Mar 02, 2015 4:54 pm

What about the early versions of They Knew What They Wanted, which is about a grower of wine grapes in Napa named Tony (which makes him likely to be Italian, no?) A Lady to Love with Edward G. Robinson (1930)? Robinson is Italian-American in a lot of early roles, like Tiger Shark and Two Seconds, isn't he?
Cinema has no voice, but it speaks to us with eyes that mirror the soul. ―Ivan Mosjoukine

R Michael Pyle
Posts: 3454
Joined: Wed May 27, 2009 1:10 pm

Re: Italian Americans In Pre-Codes

Post by R Michael Pyle » Mon Mar 02, 2015 4:59 pm

Do you mean ABOUT Italian Americans in Pre-Codes, or actual Italian-Americans IN Pre-Codes?

User avatar
telical
Posts: 1170
Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2011 10:46 pm

Re: Italian Americans In Pre-Codes

Post by telical » Mon Mar 02, 2015 5:06 pm

R Michael Pyle wrote:Do you mean ABOUT Italian Americans in Pre-Codes, or actual Italian-Americans IN Pre-Codes?
Either is interesting for me. Thanks.
--
Robert Pearson
http://www.paramind.net" target="_blank
http://www.telicalbooks.com" target="_blank
http://www.regenerativemusic.net" target="_blank

User avatar
entredeuxguerres
Posts: 4726
Joined: Sat Feb 11, 2012 12:46 pm
Location: Empire State

Re: Italian Americans In Pre-Codes

Post by entredeuxguerres » Mon Mar 02, 2015 5:28 pm

Mike Gebert wrote: ...Robinson is Italian-American in a lot of early roles, like Tiger Shark and Two Seconds, isn't he?
Who's more Italian than "Rico"; but not in those last two.

Carrillo, whose broken-English is broken-glass in my ears, was Mexicano.

User avatar
Gumlegs
Posts: 242
Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2008 1:43 pm

Re: Italian Americans In Pre-Codes

Post by Gumlegs » Mon Mar 02, 2015 6:17 pm

The Marx Brothers' Paramount films are all pre-code (except for the currently available butchered version of "Horsefeathers"), and Chico is playing an Italian.

User avatar
telical
Posts: 1170
Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2011 10:46 pm

Re: Italian Americans In Pre-Codes

Post by telical » Mon Mar 02, 2015 10:00 pm

Gumlegs wrote:The Marx Brothers' Paramount films are all pre-code (except for the currently available butchered version of "Horsefeathers"), and Chico is playing an Italian.
What were the others supposed to be? :D
--
Robert Pearson
http://www.paramind.net" target="_blank
http://www.telicalbooks.com" target="_blank
http://www.regenerativemusic.net" target="_blank

Post Reply