Marisa Merlini (6 August 1923 – 27 July 2008) was an Italian character actress active in Italy's post-

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the World War II by country, vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great power ...

cinema. Merlini appeared in over fifty films during her career, which spanned from World War II to 2005. In

Luigi Comencini Luigi Comencini (; 8 June 1916 – 6 April 2007)
''The Guardian'' was an Italian

's 1953 film '' Pane, amore e fantasia'', she portrayed Annarella, a village

midwife A midwife is a health professional who cares for mothers and newborns around childbirth, a specialization known as midwifery. The education and training for a midwife concentrates extensively on the care of women throughout their lifespan; ...

, who marries the local

police The police are a constituted body of persons empowered by a state, with the aim to enforce the law, to ensure the safety, health and possessions of citizens, and to prevent crime and civil disorder. Their lawful powers include arrest a ...

marshal, played by

Vittorio De Sica Vittorio De Sica ( , ; 7 July 1901 – 13 November 1974) was an Italian film director and actor, a leading figure in the neorealist movement. Four of the films he directed won Academy Awards: '' Sciuscià'' and '' Bicycle Thieves'' (honorar ...

Biography

A native of

Rome , established_title = Founded , established_date = 753 BC , founder = King Romulus ( legendary) , image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg , map_caption ...

, where she was born on 6 August 1923, Merlini was well known for playing the ''romana verace'', or "born-and-bred Roman" characters. Merlini also appeared in several high-profile comedic films alongside Italian actor,

Totò Antonio Griffo Focas Flavio Angelo Ducas Comneno Porfirogenito Gagliardi de Curtis di Bisanzio (15 February 1898 – 15 April 1967), best known by his stage name Totò (), or simply as Antonio de Curtis, and nicknamed ''il Principe della risata ...

, as well as the 1960 film ''

Il vigile ''The Traffic Policeman'' ( it, Il vigile) is a 1960 Italian comedy film directed by Luigi Zampa and starring Alberto Sordi in the lead role. A representative of the '' commedia all'italiana'' genre, it tells the story of a traffic policeman ...

'' with actor

Alberto Sordi Alberto Sordi (15 June 1920 – 24 February 2003) was an Italian actor, voice actor, singer, comedian, director and screenwriter. Early life Born in Rome to a schoolteacher and a musician and the last of five children, Sordi was named in hon ...

. Additionally, Merlini appeared in a number of films opposite her real life friend, Italian actress

Anna Magnani Anna Maria Magnani (; 7 March 1908 – 26 September 1973) was an Italian actress.Obituary ''Variety Obituaries, Variety'', 3 October 1973, pg. 47 She was known for her explosive acting and earthy, realistic portrayals of characters. Born in R ...

. Merlini's awards included the

Nastro d'Argento The Nastro d'Argento, also known by its translated name Silver Ribbon, is an Italian film award awarded each year since 1946 by the Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists (Italian: ''Sindacato Nazionale Giornalisti Cinematografici Italian ...

(Silver Ribbon), a

film critic Film criticism is the analysis and evaluation of films and the film medium. In general, film criticism can be divided into two categories: journalistic criticism that appears regularly in newspapers, magazines and other popular mass-media outl ...

s' award in 1957 for portraying a

tourist Tourism is travel for pleasure or business; also the theory and practice of touring, the business of attracting, accommodating, and entertaining tourists, and the business of operating tours. The World Tourism Organization defines tourism ...

in the 1956 Antonio Racioppi directed film, ''

Tempo di Villeggiatura ''Time of Vacation'' ( it, Tempo di villeggiatura) is a 1956 Italian comedy film directed by Antonio Racioppi, at his directorial debut. For this film Marisa Merlini won a Silver Ribbon for Best supporting Actress. Plot In a hotel in Corni ...

''. Merlini's last appearance on screen came in the 2005 film, '' La seconda notte di nozze'', which was directed by

Pupi Avati Giuseppe Avati, better known as Pupi Avati (born 3 November 1938), is an Italian film director, producer, and screenwriter. He is known to horror film fans for his two giallo masterpieces, '' The House with Laughing Windows'' (1976) and ''Zeder' ...

. Marisa Merlini died in Rome, on 27 July 2008, at the age of 83. Director Pupi Avati, who directed Merlini's final 2005 film, ''La seconda notte di nozze'', paid tribute to Merlini saying, ''"Marisa brought to the set the experience of somebody who had taken part in the golden years of Italian cinema, but she was down-to-earth both in front of and behind the camera...'' Working with her was an honour and a fantastic experience."

Selected filmography

*1942: '' Stasera niente di nuovo'' - Un ospite dell'istituto *1946: '' Roma, città libera'' - Mara *1949: '' Toto Looks for a House'' - Patronessa *1949: '' L'Imperatore di Capri'' - La baronesa von Krapfen *1949: ''Marechiaro'' - Un' invitata al pranzo di nozze *1949: ''Se fossi deputato'' - Olga Olghis *1949: ''Vivere a sbafo'' *1950: '' Toto Looks for a Wife'' - Luisa, la modella *1950: '' Lo Zappatore'' *1951: ''

The Black Captain ''The Black Captain'' (Italian: ''Il capitano nero'') is a 1951 Italian historical adventure film directed by Giorgio Ansoldi and Alberto Pozzetti and starring Steve Barclay, Marina Berti and Paul Muller. The film's sets were designed by Alf ...

'' - Lucrezia Adinolfi *1951: ''

Rome-Paris-Rome ''Rome-Paris-Rome'' ( it, Signori, in carrozza!) is a 1951 French-Italian comedy film directed by Luigi Zampa and starring Aldo Fabrizi, Sophie Desmarets and Peppino De Filippo. It was shot at the Farnesina Studios in Rome and on location in Pa ...

'' - Signora nel vagone letto *1951: ''

Stasera sciopero ''Stasera sciopero'' is a 1951 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Bonnard. Plot Augusto, rich and miserly ''pizzicagnolo'', is attacked on his way home. During the fight the attacker is fatally wounded with his own revolver. He was a poor ...

'' - Gemma *1951: '' Napoleon'' - Giuseppina Beauharnais *1951: '' L'eroe sono io'' *1951: '' The Two Sergeants'' *1952: '' Viva il cinema!'' - Jacqueline *1952: ''

Amori e veleni ''Love and Poison'' (Italian: ''Amori e veleni'') is a 1950 Italian historical adventure film directed by Giorgio Simonelli and starring Amedeo Nazzari, Lois Maxwell and Marisa Merlini.Poppi p.87 It was released in America in 1952, and is someti ...

'' - Orsola *1952: '' The Passaguai Family Gets Rich'' - La contessa *1952: '' Ergastolo'' - Jeannette *1952: '' In Olden Days'' - La signora nell'auto scoperta (segment "Il carrettino dei libri vecchi") *1952: ''

Gli Angeli del quartiere ''The Angels of the District'' (Italian: ''Gli Angeli del quartiere'') is a 1952 Italian drama film directed by Carlo Borghesio and starring Rossana Podestà, Jacques Sernas and Marisa Merlini.Borin p.72 The film's sets were designed by the art di ...

'' - Gianna *1952: ''

Gli eroi della domenica ''Sunday Heroes'' ( it, Gli eroi della domenica) is a 1952 Italian drama film directed by Mario Camerini. Cast * Raf Vallone as Gino Bardi * Cosetta Greco as Mara * Marcello Mastroianni as Carlo Vagnetti * Paolo Stoppa as Piero * Franco Inte ...

'' - Lucy - Cerchio's wife *1952: '' I, Hamlet'' - Regina Gertrud *1952: '' Il tallone d'Achille'' - Zizì *1952: ''

Er fattaccio ''Er fattaccio'' is a 1952 Italian film. Plot In Trastevere, in Vicolo del Moro, Sora Emma, a widow lives with her two children: Bruno, the eldest, is a carter; Gigi, the youngest, is an apprentice to a watchmaker, Sor Venanzio. Of the two, B ...

'' - Lulù *1952: ''Cani e gatti'' - Donna Filomena *1953: ''

Infame accusa ''Infame accusa'' is a 1953 Italian melodrama film. It represents the directorial debut by Giuseppe Vari. Plot Cast * Mirella Uberti as Gina * Piero Lulli as Marco * Folco Lulli as Giovannino * Marisa Merlini as Lover of Giovannino * Arno ...

'' - Amante di Giovannino *1953: '' I Always Loved You'' - Lucia *1953: '' Pane, amore e fantasia'' - Anna Mirziato *1953: '' Viva il cinema!'' *1953: ''Tormento d'anime'' *1953: '' Sua Altezza ha detto: no!'' - Liubitza *1953: '' Finalmente libero!'' - Woman in the Court *1953: ''Anna perdonami'' *1954: ''La prigioniera di Amalfi'' *1954: '' Pane, amore e gelosia'' - La levatrice *1954: '' The Lovers of Manon Lescaut'' - Elisa *1954: ''Due lacrime'' - Valeria *1954: ''Di qua, di là del Piave'' *1955: ''

Le signorine dello 04 ''Le signorine dello 04'' (''The ladies of the 04'') is a 1955 Italian romantic comedy-drama film directed by Gianni Franciolini. Cast * Antonella Lualdi: Maria Teresa Landolfi *Antonio Cifariello: Amleto * Giovanna Ralli: Bruna * Roberto Ri ...

'' - Vera Colasanti *1955: ''

The Song of the Heart "The Song of the Heart" is a song written and performed by Prince for the 2006 film ''Happy Feet''. The song came about when Prince was approached to allow his song "Kiss" to appear in the film. Prince was initially hesitant to sign off on its u ...

'' - Silvia *1955: '' Destination Piovarolo'' - Sara *1955: ''Cortile'' *1956: ''

Il bigamo ''The Bigamist'' ( it, Il bigamo) is a 1956 Italian comedy film directed by Luciano Emmer. Plot Mario De Santis, an enterprising trade representative who sells toothpastes, regularly married to Valeria, sees his life upset by the accusation o ...

'' - Enza Masetti *1956: ''

Tempo di villeggiatura ''Time of Vacation'' ( it, Tempo di villeggiatura) is a 1956 Italian comedy film directed by Antonio Racioppi, at his directorial debut. For this film Marisa Merlini won a Silver Ribbon for Best supporting Actress. Plot In a hotel in Corni ...

'' - Margherita Pozzi *1956: '' Porta un bacione a Firenze'' - Sig.ra Rosa *1957: ''

Padri e figli ''Fathers and Sons'' ( it, Padri e figli and also known as ''A Tailor's Maid'') is a 1957 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Monicelli. At the 7th Berlin International Film Festival Monicelli won the Silver Bear for Best Director award. ...

'' - Ines Santarelli *1957: ''

The Most Wonderful Moment ''The Most Wonderful Moment'' ( it, Il momento più bello) is a 1957 Italian drama film directed by Luciano Emmer. This drama deals with natural childbirth, and was described as "clinically pure, informative, edifying and, on occasion, tenderly ...

'' - Margherita Rosati *1957: ''Liane, die weiße Sklavin'' - Schwester *1957: '' Doctor and the Healer'' - Mafalda *1957: '' Husbands in the City'' - Aida *1957: ''

Vacanze a Ischia ''Vacanze a Ischia'' (also known as ''Holiday Island'') is a 1957 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Camerini. Plot The lives of several people intersect as they go on vacation to enjoy a pleasant holiday on the island. A lawyer spends it i ...

'' *1957: ''Dinanzi a noi il cielo'' - Madre di Tom *1958: '' Ladro lui, ladra lei'' - Marialele *1958: '' Io, mammeta e tu'' - Donna Amalia, la madre *1958: ''

Resurrection Resurrection or anastasis is the concept of coming back to life after death. In a number of religions, a dying-and-rising god is a deity which dies and is resurrected. Reincarnation is a similar process hypothesized by other religions, whic ...

'' - Bockowa *1958: ''Il bacio del sole (Don Vesuvio)'' - Carmela Spada *1959: '' Everyone's in Love'' - Jolanda *1959: '' World of Miracles'' - Franca *1959: ''La cento chilometri'' - Angela *1959: ''

Juke box urli d'amore ''Juke box - Urli d'amore'' is a 1959 "musicarello" (musical comedy film), directed by Mauro Morassi. The film stars Mario Carotenuto and the singers Mina and Adriano Celentano. Plot Mario, a little slacker who thrives on his wits, has just been ...

'' - Marisa Loreto *1959: '' Roulotte e roulotte'' - Anna *1960: '' I piaceri dello scapolo'' - Evelina *1960: ''

Il carro armato dell'8 settembre ''Il carro armato dell'8 settembre'' is a 1960 Italian film. It stars actor Gabriele Ferzetti. Cast * Gabriele Ferzetti: Tommaso * Elsa Martinelli: Mirella * Dorian Gray: soubrette * Marisa Merlini: Palmira * Yvonne Furneaux * Mario Valdemarin * ...

'' - Palmira *1960: '' La garçonnière'' - Pupa *1960: ''

'' - Amalia Celletti *1960: ''

Ferragosto in bikini ''Ferragosto in bikini'' is a 1960 Italian comedy film directed by Marino Girolami. The film is named after a hit song of musical group Quartetto Cetra, who also makes a brief cameo appearance. Cast * Walter Chiari: Walter * Ennio Girolami: Dar ...

'' - Marta *1961: '' Le ambiziose'' - La signora Letizia Proietti *1961: ''

World in My Pocket ''World in My Pocket'' (also known as ''On Friday at Eleven'') is a 1961 European crime-drama film directed by Alvin Rakoff. The film was a co-production between West Germany (where it was released as ''An einem Freitag um halb zwölf''), France ...

'' - Frau Mandini *1961: ''Gli incensurati'' - Olimpia *1961: ''

Akiko Akiko can refer to: * ''Akiko'' (comic book), an American comic book * ''Akiko'' (film), a 1961 Italian comedy film * Akiko (Amiga), a custom chip used in the Amiga CD32 games console * Akiko (given name) is a feminine Japanese given name. Po ...

'' - Ottavia Colasanto *1961: ''

Il giudizio universale ''The Last Judgment'' ( it, Il giudizio universale) is a 1961 commedia all'italiana film by Italian director Vittorio De Sica. It was coproduced with France. It has an all-star Italian and international cast, including Americans Jack Palance, E ...

'' - Mother of tomato-throwing child *1961: ''Liane, die Tochter des Dschungels'' *1961: ''

His Women ''His Women'' ( it, Il mantenuto) is a 1961 Italian comedy film directed by and starring Ugo Tognazzi. It was shown as part of a retrospective on Italian comedy at the 67th Venice International Film Festival. Cast * Ugo Tognazzi as Stefano Gar ...

'' - Amalia *1961: ''Mariti a congresso'' *1961: ''Fra' Manisco cerca guai'' - Carmela *1962: '' Nerone '71'' *1962: '' La Vendetta'' - La postière *1962: '' Colpo gobbo all'italiana'' - Nunziata Maggiola *1962: ''Le massaggiatrici'' - Bice Petroni *1963: '' Destination Rome'' - Pia *1963: '' I mostri'' - Paola Fioravanti (segment "Testimone volontario") *1963: ''La chica del trébol'' *1964: ''

Crucero de verano ''Crucero de verano'' is a 1964 Italian film directed by Luis Lucia. It stars actor Gabriele Ferzetti. References External links * 1964 films Italian musical comedy films 1960s Italian-language films 1960s Italian films {{1960s-It ...

'' - Carolina *1964: '' Ragazza in prestito'' - Regina *1964: ''Squillo'' *1965: '' Loca juventud'' - Madre de Johnny *1965: ''

La fabbrica dei soldi LA most frequently refers to Los Angeles, the second largest city in the United States. La, LA, or L.A. may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Music * La (musical note), or A, the sixth note * "L.A.", a song by Elliott Smith on ''Figure ...

'' - Ermelina *1966: ''Les combinards'' - Rosaria *1966: '' Io, io, io... e gli altri'' - Lady on the telephone *1967: '' The Peking Medallion'' - Madame Vulcano *1967: '' All Mad About Him'' - Allegra *1967: ''Gli altri, gli altri... e noi'' *1968: '' Donne, botte e bersaglieri'' - Mrs Jole *1968: '' Il grande silenzio - Regina *1970: ''

Lisa dagli occhi blu Lisa or LISA may refer to: People People with the mononym * Lisa Lisa (born 1967), American actress and lead singer of the Cult Jam * Lisa (Japanese musician, born 1974), stylized "LISA", Japanese singer and producer * Lisa Komine (born 1978), ...

'' - Moglie del Telegrafista *1970: '' Dramma della gelosia – Tutti i particolari in cronaca'' - Silvana Ciafrocchi *1970: '' Ninì Tirabusciò: la donna che inventò la mossa'' - Ciccio's Assistant / Arab Dancer *1971: ''Mio padre Monsignore'' - Tosca *1972: ''Non commettere atti impuri'' - Maria Teresa's mother *1972: ''Continuavano a chiamarli i due piloti più matti del mondo'' - Signora Cesire *1972: ''Il maschio ruspante'' - Mother Giustina / Marcella - the prostitute *1974: ''A pugni nudi'' - Amalia, Paolo's Mother *1974: ''L'albero dalle foglie rosa'' *1974: ''Les bidasses s'en vont en guerre'' - Paulette Brugnon *1975: ''

Le dolci zie ''Le dolci zie'' (i.e. "The Sweet Aunts") is a 1975 commedia sexy all'italiana written and directed by Mario Imperoli and starring Pascale Petit, Femi Benussi, and Marisa Merlini. Plot When young Libero loses his parents he is taken in by his ...

'' - Fiorella *1976: '' Oh, Serafina!'' - Belinda Valle *1976: ''Stangata in famiglia'' - Aida *1976: '' Batton Story'' - Zaira *1977: '' La Bidonata'' - Maria *1978: ''

La mazzetta '' The Payoff'' ( it, La mazzetta) is an Italian crime comedy film directed in 1978 by Sergio Corbucci. It is based on the 1976 crime novel of the same name by the writer Attilio Veraldi. Cast * Nino Manfredi: Sasà Jovine * Ugo Tognazzi: Comm ...

'' - Elena Miletti *1978: '' Una bella governante di colore'' - Aspasia - wife of Nicola *1980: '' La moglie in vacanza... l'amante in città'' - Valeria's Mother *1980: ''L'altra donna'' - Olga's Mother *1980: '' Mia moglie torna a scuola'' - La preside *1981: ''

L'onorevole con l'amante sotto il letto ''L'onorevole con l'amante sotto il letto'' () is a 1981 commedia sexy all'italiana directed by Mariano Laurenti. Plot Anna Vinci is a teacher in a private school in Milan. Due to some pupils, she comes into conflict with the principal of the ...

'' - Virginia Battistoni *1981: '' Cornetti alla crema'' - Zaira, Marianna's Mother *1981: '' Pierino contro tutti'' - La chiromante *1982: ''

Il tifoso, l'arbitro e il calciatore ''Il tifoso, l'arbitro e il calciatore'' (''The Supporter, the Referee and the Footballer'') is a 1983 Italian comedy film written and directed by Pier Francesco Pingitore. Cast ; Segment ''L'arbitro e il calciatore'' *Alvaro Vitali as Alvaro ...

'' - Mother of Manuela *1982: ''

Storia d'amore e d'amicizia Storia (Italian: "history") or La storia may refer to: * Storia (song), "Storia" (song), a 2009 single performed by Japanese girl group Kalafina * "La Storia", single and lead track from Francesco De Gregori's 1985 studio album ''Scacchi e tarocchi ...

'' (TV Mini-Series) - Garibalda *1982: ''Gian Burrasca'' - Zia Bettina *1983: ''Sfrattato cerca casa equo canone'' - Moglie di Maciste *1983: ''Arrivano i miei'' *1992: '' Mutande pazze'' - Aunt of Alessia *1992: '' Ricky & Barabba'' - Barabba's mother *1995: ''A Dio piacendo'' - Ileana *1996: ''

Stella's Favor ''Stella's Favor'', originally ''Mi fai un favore'', is a 1996 Italian comedy film directed by Giancarlo Scarchilli. Cast * Ornella Muti: Stella * Maria Amelia Monti: Roberta * Claudio Bigagli: Leonardo * Jo Champa Jo Champa (born January ...

'' - Amelia *1999: ''Vacanze sulla neve'' - Countess Eloisa *1999: ''Pazzo d'amore'' *2000: '' Le ali della vita'' (TV Movie) - Sorella Adele *2000: '' Teste di cocco'' - Nonna *2001: ''Reisei to jônetsu no aida'' - Gina *2003: '' Le ali della vita 2'' (TV Movie) *2005: '' La seconda notte di nozze'' - Eugenia Ricci

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Merlini, Marisa 1923 births 2008 deaths Italian film actresses Actresses from Rome Nastro d'Argento winners 20th-century Italian actresses People of Lazian descent