Many years ago probably mid to late sixties, I caught this movie very late at night on TV. As this was before the internet, it took years for me to track down a VHS copy. The remarkable thing is that the message of the movie is so intertwined with the music that I remembered the main theme all those years. The story is a modern fairy-tale, Giovanna is like Cinderella, there is a thief, and there is a real Prince too. But the thing I remember most is the dancing, costumes and the music. This is an important record of the work of the wonderful dancer and choreographer Katherine Dunham. I believe Ms. Dunham wrote some of the songs, too. The scenes of the hard work that goes into a life of performing struck me as very real, shocking even since blacks and whites were working so closely together. But unlike most fairy tales, Giovanna must choose which world she really wants to belong in. She chooses wisely.
Silvana Mangano is radiant as the young Giovanna. She was 24 at the time. Her performance is nuanced beyond her years: a shy shop girl one moment, a diva the next. The rest of the cast is also excellent. I especially liked Shelley Winters in her role as the manager of the troupe. I think the nice girl Giovanna has coffee with is Julie Robinson, who later married Harry Bellafonte.
Don't miss this excellent movie.
Silvana Mangano is radiant as the young Giovanna. She was 24 at the time. Her performance is nuanced beyond her years: a shy shop girl one moment, a diva the next. The rest of the cast is also excellent. I especially liked Shelley Winters in her role as the manager of the troupe. I think the nice girl Giovanna has coffee with is Julie Robinson, who later married Harry Bellafonte.
Don't miss this excellent movie.