The Barefoot Contessa (1954)

100% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
70% of users liked it
(4,419 ratings)

The Barefoot Contessa begins at the funeral of Ava Gardner, a former Spanish peasant, cabaret dancer and movie star, who at the time of her death was a full-fledged contessa. Her life story unfolds in flashback recollections from her mourners. Film director Humphrey Bogart recalls how his career was… More The Barefoot Contessa begins at the funeral of Ava Gardner, a former Spanish peasant, cabaret dancer and movie star, who at the time of her death was a full-fledged contessa. Her life story unfolds in flashback recollections from her mourners. Film director Humphrey Bogart recalls how his career was saved when he discovered Gardner on behalf of Howard R. Hughes-like mogul Warren Stevens. Press agent Edmond O'Brien remembers how Ava was wooed and then abandoned by mercurial millionaire Marius Goring, and Italian count Rosanno Brazzi reflects on how he was able to wed the tempestuous Gardner, only to watch his world crumble after revealing on their wedding night that he was "only half a man." O'Brien received Best Supporting Actor awards at both the Academy Awards and Golden Globes in 1954. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 8 min.
Directed By: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Written By: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense, Classics

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1954 Wide
On DVD: Jun 19, 2001

Critic Reviews

Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
An imperfect film, but its excesses are as suggestive as its subtleties.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Mankiewicz's bitter-sweet satire of Hollywood is extremely well acted by Bogart (witty), Avan Gardner (gorgeous), and Edmond O'Brien, who won the Supporting Oscar.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Brilliantly witty but trashy showbiz melodrama.
Steve Crum, Kansas City Kansan
Bogart, Gardner sizzle

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Great cast and good story but it misses somewhat and is rather plodding. Good try though.
George M

Not as a good attempt at mythologizing (and demythologizing) a star through multiple perspectives as in All About Eve. The structure of the film is the same and shows how much forward of his time Mankiewicz was in breaking classical narrative within the compounds of Hollywood (still… More
Not as a good attempt at mythologizing (and demythologizing) a star through multiple perspectives as in All About Eve. The structure of the film is the same and shows how much forward of his time Mankiewicz was in breaking classical narrative within the compounds of Hollywood (still Citizen Kane precedes everything else and one should comment M. for accepting the lesson). Bogard isn't convincing enough in this movie as he still looks like he is out of a gangster film but he has a rare, inner quality of emotion at times. The film totally shines in dialogue (after all this is a Mankiewicz script) just as All About Eve and the brilliant lines come one after the other. For that reason and for the characterization that is created this way it totally deserves to be seen.

Cast

            Humphrey Bogart as Harry Dawes

            Ava Gardner as Maria Vargas

            Edmond O'Brien as Oscar Muldoon

            Marius Goring as Alberto Bravano

            Rossano Brazzi as Vincenzo Torlato-Favrini

            Warren Stevens as Kirk Edwards

            Valentina Cortese as Eleanora Torlato-Favrini

            Elizabeth Sellars as Jerry

            Franco Interlenghi as Pedro

            Mari Aldon as Myrna

            Maria Zanoli as Maria's Mother

            Renato Chiantoni as Maria's Father

            Bill Fraser as J. Montague Brown

            John Parrish as Mr. Black

            Jim Gerald as Mr. Blue

            Diana Decker as Drunken Blonde

            Riccardo Rioli as Gypsy Dancer

            Tonio Selwart as The Pretender

            Margaret Anderson as The Pretender's Wife

            Gertrude Flynn as Lulu McGee

            John Horne as Hector Eubanks

            Bessie Love as Mrs. Eubanks

            Robert Christopher as Eddie Blake

            Carlo Dale as Chauffeur

            Alberto Rabagliati as Night Club Proprietor

            Enzo Staiola as Busboy
See full cast