Teresa *** (1951, Pier Angeli, John Ericson, Patricia Collinge, Richard Bishop) – Classic Movie Review 10,561

Director Fred Zinnemann’s earnest 1951 MGM black and white drama Teresa stars John Ericson as GI Philip Cass, who serves in Italy during World War Two, marries an Italian girl and brings his new Italian wife Teresa (Pier Angeli) back to America only to encounter waves of disapproval, especially from his mom (Patricia Collinge), though less so from his dad (Richard Bishop).

Small-town bigotry is Zinnemann’s target at the heart of this glossily made, heart-on-sleeve worthy drama, brought to life by Stewart Stern’s sharp script, excellent acting (apart from a wan Ericson) and the smooth direction. Pier Angeli is especially striking, winning the 1952 Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer – Female.

It is Rod Steiger’s first feature, as psychiatrist Frank. Lee Marvin was an extra.

Also in the cast are Frank Musker, Peggy Ann Garner, Ralph Meeker, Bill Mauldin, Richard Bishop, Edward Binns, Rod Steiger, Aldo Silvani, Tommy Lewis, Ave Ninchi, Edith Atwater, Richard McNamara, Lewis E Ciannelli, and Franco Interlenghi.

Anna Maria Pierangeli was born on 19 June 1932, in Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy. She was found dead of a barbiturate overdose in her Beverly Hills home on 10 September 1971, aged 39. She was a BAFTA Film Award nominee as Best Foreign Actress for The Angry Silence (1960). She and her twin sister, Marisa Pavan, both became film stars.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,561

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