Isa Barzizza (born 22 November 1929) is an Italian actress who has appeared in 46 films since 1947.

Life and career

Early life

Born in Sanremo, Barzizza is the daughter of the conductor and composer

Pippo Barzizza Giuseppe "Pippo" Barzizza (; 15 May 1902 – 4 April 1994) was an Italian composer, arranger, conductor and music director. Giuseppe Barzizza, called Pippo, was born in Genova on 15 May 1902, and died in Sanremo on 4 April 1994. He became famou ...

. Gianfranco Baldazzi. "Isa Barzizza". Gino Castaldo (edited by). ''Dizionario della canzone italiana''. Curcio Editore, 1990. She started working in amateur dramatics at very young age, and she made her professional debut while still being a high school student, notably working with the stage companies led by

Ruggero Ruggeri Ruggero Ruggeri (14 November 1871 – 20 July 1953) was an Italian stage and film actor. Ruggeri was a celebrated theatre actor, appearing alongside Lyda Borelli on stage in 1909.Dalle Vacche p.260 From 1914 onward he sporadically made films in ...

Elsa Merlini Elsa Merlini (26 July 1903 – 22 February 1983), was an Italian film actress. She appeared in 29 films between 1931 and 1976. She was born in Trieste, Italy and died in Rome, Italy. Selected filmography * ''The Private Secretary'' (1931) * ...

and by the brothers Eduardo, Peppino and Titina De Filippo. Gianfranco Baldazzi. "Isa Barzizza". Gino Castaldo (edited by). ''Dizionario della canzone italiana''. Curcio Editore, 1990.

Breakout and success

Barzizza had her breakout in 1946, when during a visit to her father she was noted by

Erminio Macario Erminio Macario (27 May 1902 – 25 March 1980), best known as Macario, was an Italian film actor and comedian. He appeared in 42 films between 1933 and 1975. Life and career Born in Turin, Macario made his debut at a young age in the amate ...

who chose her for the revue ''Follie d'Amleto''. Gianfranco Baldazzi. "Isa Barzizza". Gino Castaldo (edited by). ''Dizionario della canzone italiana''. Curcio Editore, 1990. In a few years she established herself as a star in the revue genre, working several times with Macario, Totò and

Wanda Osiris Anna Menzio (3 June 1905 – 11 November 1994), known by her stage name Wanda Osiris (; Italianized as Vanda Osiri during the Fascist era), was an Italian revue soubrette, actress and singer. Life and career Born in Rome, the daughter of a ...

. Gianfranco Baldazzi. "Isa Barzizza". Gino Castaldo (edited by). ''Dizionario della canzone italiana''. Curcio Editore, 1990. Following her stage success, Barzizza also started a busy film career in the comedic genre, often teaming with Totò. Gianfranco Baldazzi. "Isa Barzizza". Gino Castaldo (edited by). ''Dizionario della canzone italiana''. Curcio Editore, 1990. In 1955, she starred in ''Valentina'', which is considered the first genuine stage musical comedy produced in Italy. Gianfranco Baldazzi. "Isa Barzizza". Gino Castaldo (edited by). ''Dizionario della canzone italiana''. Curcio Editore, 1990.

Marriage and semi-retirement

In 1953 Barzizza married the screenwriter and director

Carlo Alberto Chiesa Carlo Alberto Chiesa (1922–1960) was an Italian screenwriter, film editor and director. In 1945 he edited Luchino Visconti's docu-drama '' Days of Glory''.Bacon, Henry. ''Visconti: Explorations of Beauty and Decay''. Cambridge University Press, ...

, and following the birth of their daughter Carlotta she retired from showbusiness. Gianfranco Baldazzi. "Isa Barzizza". Gino Castaldo (edited by). ''Dizionario della canzone italiana''. Curcio Editore, 1990. In 1960 the couple were involved in a car accident and Chiesa died shortly later under the knife. Gianfranco Baldazzi. "Isa Barzizza". Gino Castaldo (edited by). ''Dizionario della canzone italiana''. Curcio Editore, 1990. Widowed, Barzizza run a company of dubbing and production of television series. Gianfranco Baldazzi. "Isa Barzizza". Gino Castaldo (edited by). ''Dizionario della canzone italiana''. Curcio Editore, 1990. Starting from the mid-1970s she made sporadic appearances in films and on television.

Selected filmography

* '' The Two Orphans'' (1947) - Matilde * ''Dove sta Zaza?'' (1947) - Zazà * '' Fear and Sand'' (1948) - Patricia Cotten * '' Toto Tours Italy'' (1948) - Doriana * ''

The Firemen of Viggiù ''The Firemen of Viggiù'' ( it, I pompieri di Viggiù) is a 1949 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Nino Taranto. Plot In the village of Viggiù the men of the local volunteer fire brigade, believing their famous song " ...

'' (1949) - Toto's conquest * '' Adam and Eve'' (1949) - Eva Bianchi * ''

I'm in the Revue ''I'm in the Revue'' ( it, Botta e risposta) is a 1950 French-Italian comedy film directed by Mario Soldati. It was shown as part of a retrospective on Italian comedy at the 67th Venice International Film Festival. Cast * Nino Taranto - L'Habi ...

'' (1950) - Cleo - la kleptomane * ''

The Merry Widower ''The Merry Widower'' (german: Der lustige Witwer) is a 1929 German comedy film directed by Robert Land and starring Harry Liedtke, La Jana, Alice Roberts.Bock & Bergfelder p. 392 The film's sets were designed by Robert Neppach. It is not to b ...

'' (1950) - Lucy *''

The Elusive Twelve ''The Elusive Twelve'' (Italian: ''L'inafferrabile 12'') is a 1950 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Walter Chiari, Silvana Pampanini and Isa Barzizza. It was shot at the Farnesina Studios of Titanus in Rome. The film's ...

'' (1950) - Teresa * ''

Figaro Here, Figaro There ''Figaro Here, Figaro There'' (Italian: ''Figaro qua, Figaro là'') is a 1950 Italian historical comedy film directed by Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia and starring Totò and Isa Barzizza. The title and the plot allude to ''The Barber of Seville''.Bìs ...

'' (1950) - Rosina * ''

Bluebeard's Six Wives ''Bluebeard's Six Wives'' (Italian: ''Le sei mogli di Barbablù'') is a 1950 Italian comedy film directed by Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia and starring Totò, Isa Barzizza and Carlo Ninchi.Moliterno p.48 The film's sets were designed by the art directo ...

'' (1950) - Lana Ross * ''

Milano miliardaria ''Milano miliardaria'' is a 1951 Italian comedy film directed by Marino Girolami, Marcello Marchesi and Vittorio Metz. Cast * Tino Scotti: Cavalier Luigi Pizzigoni * Isa Barzizza: Vittoria Pizzigoni * Franca Marzi: Italia Furioni * Dante Magg ...

'' (1951) - Vittorio Pizzigoni * '' Seven Hours of Trouble'' (1951) - Amelia * ''

The Reluctant Magician ''The Reluctant Magician'' (Italian: ''Il Mago per forza'') is a 1951 Italian comedy film directed by Marino Girolami and starring Tino Scotti, Isa Barzizza and Aroldo Tieri. It was shot at the Farnesina Studios of Titanus in Rome. The film's set ...

'' (1951) - Perla * '' Era lui... sì! sì!'' (1951) - Grazia * ''

Porca miseria ''Porca Miseria'' is a 1951 Italian comedy film directed by Giorgio Bianchi. Plot Two friends, Giacomino and Carletto, have no job and no money and are looking for a job, or any device that will help them to meet expenses and especially will giv ...

'' (1951) - Jenny Soleri * ''

Toto in Color ''Toto in Color'' (Italian: ''Totò a colori'') is a 1952 Italian comedy film, and was the first Italian color film shot with the Ferraniacolor system. The film was directed by Steno and starred the comic actor Totò. Plot Antonio Scannagatti is ...

'' (1952) - La signora del vagone-letto * ''

Five Paupers in an Automobile ''Five Paupers in an Automobile'' ( it, Cinque poveri in automobile) is a 1952 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Eduardo De Filippo. Cast * Eduardo De Filippo as Eduardo Moschettone * Aldo Fabrizi as Cesare Baroni * Ti ...

'' (1952) - Cicci * ''

We're Dancing on the Rainbow ''We're Dancing on the Rainbow'' (german: Wir tanzen auf dem Regenbogen, it, Senza veli) is a 1952 German-Italian musical melodrama film directed by Carmine Gallone and Arthur Maria Rabenalt and starring Inge Egger, Isa Barzizza and Karl Schön ...

'' (1952) - Jeannette * ''Primo premio: Mariarosa'' (1952) * ''

Beauties on Motor Scooters ''Beauties on Motor Scooters'' (Italian: ''Bellezze in moto-scooter'') is a 1952 Italian comedy film by Carlo Campogalliani and starring Isa Barzizza, Virginia Belmont and Fulvia Franco.Gennari p.185 Partial cast * Isa Barzizza as Laura * Virg ...

'' (1952) - Laura * '' Gioventù alla sbarra'' (1953) - Florence, la canzonettista * ''

Siamo tutti inquilini ''Siamo tutti inquilini'' (literally: We are all tenants) is a 1953 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Aldo Fabrizi. Production The film is a 98 minute black and white that was produced for Documento. Plot Anna has ...

'' (1953) - Collega di Anna * '' It's Never Too Late'' (1953) - Rosanna Gennari * ''

The Daughter of the Regiment ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in En ...

'' (1953) - Kiki * ''

Neapolitan Turk ''Neapolitan Turk'' ( it, Un turco napoletano) is a 1953 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Totò. Plot The film is based on a play by the famous Neapolitan writer Eduardo Scarpetta, father of Eduardo and Peppino De Fi ...

'' (1953) - Giulietta * ''Viva la rivista!'' (1953) * ''Canzoni a due voci'' (1953) - La fidanzata del baritono * ''Gran Varietà'' (1954) * ''

Appassionatamente ''Appassionatamente'' (i.e. "Passionately") is a 1954 Italian melodrama film directed by Giacomo Gentilomo and starring Amedeo Nazzari and Myriam Bru. It is loosely based on the drama play ''La Dame de Saint-Tropez'' by Auguste Anicet-Bourgeois ...

'' (1954) - Ortensia Dupré * ''

Toto Seeks Peace ''Toto Seeks Peace'' ( it, Totò cerca pace) is a 1954 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Totò.Aprà p.101 Plot Two widowers decide to get married but their decision is continually hampered by their grandchildren, who ar ...

'' (1954) - Cousin Nella Caporali * ''Cartouche'' (1955) - Lucilla * ''Un palco all'opera'' (1955) * ''

I pinguini ci guardano ''I pinguini ci guardano'' (i.e. "Penguins look at us") is a 1956 Italian comedy film written and directed by and starring Renato Rascel and Carlo Croccolo. Plot The daily life in a zoo seen through the eyes of their residents, with the anim ...

'' (1956) * ''

We All Loved Each Other So Much ''We All Loved Each Other So Much'' ( it, C'eravamo tanto amati) is a 1974 Italian comedy-drama film directed by Ettore Scola and written by Scola and the famous screenwriter duo of Age & Scarpelli. It stars Stefania Sandrelli, Vittorio Gassman, Ni ...

'' (1974) - Elena * ''Garofano rosso'' (1976) * ''Il momento dell'avventura'' (1983) - Antonia Belli * ''Fiori di zucca'' (1989) - Clelia * ''Grazie al cielo c'è Totò'' (1991) * ''80 mq - Ottantametriquadri'' (1993) - Mamma di Raffaele (segment "No mamma no") * ''Ardena'' (1997) - Lea * ''Asini'' (1999) - Italo's mother * ''

Seven Kilometers from Jerusalem ''Seven Kilometers from Jerusalem'' or ''"7 Km da Gerusalemme"'' is a film about a Milanese ad exec having a midlife crisis who makes a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Cast * Luca Ward as Alessandro Forte * Eleonora Brigliadori as Marta Piano * ...

'' (2007) - Elvira Marenghi * ''Una sconfinata giovinezza'' (2010) * ''Maledimiele'' (2011) - Nonna * ''

Viva l'Italia ''Viva l'Italia'' () is a 2012 Italian comedy film written and directed by Massimiliano Bruno. Politician, Michele Spagnolo loses the ability to lie because of a stroke in the brain and that has dire consequences. Cast * Raoul Bova as Riccardo ...

'' (2012) - Marisa * ''Mia'' (2012) * '' Studio illegale'' (2013) - Zia Emma * '' Indovina chi viene a Natale?'' (2013) - Emma

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Barzizza, Isa 1929 births Living people People from Sanremo Italian film actresses 20th-century Italian actresses Italian stage actresses Italian television actresses