Luci del varietà (Variety Lights) (1951)
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100% of critics liked it
(11 reviews) -
69% of users liked it
(524 ratings)
Federico Fellini's directorial debut (co-directed with veteran Alberto Lattuada), Luci del Varietà is a bittersweet drama about a bunch of misfits in a traveling vaudeville troupe. The group of actors, dancers, and performers struggle to make it from town to town, playing to minimal crowds.… More Federico Fellini's directorial debut (co-directed with veteran Alberto Lattuada), Luci del Varietà is a bittersweet drama about a bunch of misfits in a traveling vaudeville troupe. The group of actors, dancers, and performers struggle to make it from town to town, playing to minimal crowds. Their comedic leader, Checco Dal Monte (Peppino De Filippo) just wants his act to be a success. His longtime sweetheart, Melina Amour (Fellini's wife Giulietta Masina), keeps the business end of things together and saves up money with plans of buying a business. Stumbling into one small town for another show, Checco meets beauty queen Lily (Carla Del Poggio) and puts her in the show as a dancer. When it appears that her sex appeal is drawing in large crowds of enthusiastic spectators, she quickly becomes the star of the show. Checco soon becomes infatuated with her, casting aside Melina and breaking up the troupe in order to put on a showcase for Lily instead. The loyal group of outcast performers are left without a leader, while star-eyed Lily proves to be relentless in her quest for fame. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi
- Directed By
- Federico Fellini, Alberto Lattuada
- Genres
- Art House & International, Drama
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Dec 6, 1950 Wide
- Studio
- Pathé Contemporary Films
Critic Reviews
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A.H. Weiler, New York Times
The cognoscenti will recognize touches that have turned up in eight Fellini features that followed this one.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's a refreshingly evocative backstage showbiz pic, that tells a familiar story with much compassion for human frailty.
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Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
In as sordid a trade as showbiz, it pays to create theater out of life's miseries
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, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Even in this early effort the whimsical, odd world of Fellini comes dancing forth.
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James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
a poignant melodrama set against the backdrop of a group of struggling variety performers that travels from town to town
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Cast
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Silvio Bagolini
as Bruno Antonini
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Alberto Bonucci
as Duet
- Vittorio Caprioli
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Peppino De Filippo
as Checco Dal Monte
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Carla Del Poggio
as Liliana "Lily" Antonelli
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Checco Durante
as Theater Owner
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Giacomo Furia
as Duke
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John Kitzmiller
as Johnny
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Folco Lulli
as Adelmo Conti
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Dante Maggio
as Remo comedian
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Fanny Marchio
as Soubrette
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Gina Mascetti
as Valeria del Sole
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Giulietta Masina
as Melina Amour
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Enrico Piergentili
as Melina's Father
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Marco Tulli
as Spectator
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Alberto Lattuada
as Theater Attendant
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Carlo Romano
as Enzo La Rosa
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Franca Valeri
as Hungarian Designer
- Joseph Falletta
