Lower than a yr earlier, Teresa Gullace, a six-month-pregnant mom of 5 had been shot in Rome by a Nazi soldier after she waved at her captive husband. Within the movie, Francesco shouts “Teresa”, as an homage. On the time, Magnani was additionally struggling, as her son had contracted polio.
An unconventional starÂ
Magnani’s communication of this uncooked ache on display screen is probably one purpose why she is much less common within the US as we speak than different iconic Italian actresses. “Anna is the embodiment of a rustic that got here out of the warfare with the braveness of displaying its wounds,” says De Bernardinis. “Quickly after, Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida and different ‘maggiorate’ (‘busty actresses’) signify the Italy that wishes to neglect the warfare. Florid, full bodied, flourishing.”Â
Rome, Open Metropolis turned the very best grossing movie in Italy that yr, and the primary non-American movie to earn over $1m within the US. The American press beloved it. Magnani, The New York Occasions wrote, had “a capability to weep actual tears, to chortle actual laughter, to brawl fiercely; to be thunderous in anger, lusciously sensual in love”. Tennessee Williams tried to persuade Magnani to behave in his new play on Broadway – one of many many American gives she refused. “This lady, Anna Magnani, she sinks the claws within the coronary heart,” he stated.
Ingrid Bergman appreciated Rome, Open Metropolis a lot that she wrote to Rossellini – including that the one Italian phrases she knew had been “Ti amo”. Rossellini, Magnani’s accomplice, saved the trade secret, till she noticed a telegram from Bergman. She lovingly plated some spaghetti, asking Rossellini if he would really like some. When he replied sure, she answered: “Then eat it!” and threw all of it at his face. This episode is recalled by buddies and bystanders; the one element that modifications with the telling of the story is what pasta they had been consuming. In brief, Magnani was intimidating. “Not cute, nor reassuring,” says De Bernardinis.
