''New Moon'' ( it, Luna nova) is a 1955

Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance language *** Regional Ita ...

musical

crime In ordinary language, a crime is an unlawful act punishable by a state or other authority. The term ''crime'' does not, in modern criminal law, have any simple and universally accepted definition,Farmer, Lindsay: "Crime, definitions of", in Ca ...

melodrama film A modern melodrama is a dramatic work in which the plot, typically sensationalized and for a strong emotional appeal, takes precedence over detailed characterization. Melodramas typically concentrate on dialogue that is often bombastic or exces ...

directed by

Luigi Capuano Luigi Capuano (13 July 1904 – 20 October 1979) was an Italian film director and screenwriter. Born in Naples, he directed 43 films between 1947 and 1971. Selected filmography * '' Vertigine d'amore'' (1949) * '' Flying Squadron'' (1949) * ...

Plot summary

Giovanni Randi, the son of a landowner, doesn't have an affection for rural life. When he ventures to the city in pursuit of a livelihood, he crosses paths with Amira, a foreigner, and becomes enamored with her. However, Amira is an unscrupulous woman with designs on extracting the money necessary to rescue a nightclub from financial ruin. She shares ownership of the club with Pierre, whom she presents as her brother but is, in fact, her lover. Invited to spend several days in the countryside at Giovanni's father's estate, Amira, burdened by a belated pang of conscience, rejects Giovanni's marriage proposals. Under the persistent urging of his father and partly motivated by his affection for Lucia, a young woman raised in his household who secretly harbors feelings for him, Giovanni decides to take charge of the family farm. Upon his return to the city, Giovanni once again encounters Amira, reigniting his previous passion for her. Fearing for her future, Lucia, who is carrying Giovanni's child, travels to the city to speak with him. Unable to locate him at his lodgings, Lucia converses with Amira and implores her to relinquish the man she loves. Amira feigns agreement with the young woman's plea but secretly intends to elope with Giovanni. Pierre, unwilling to lose Amira, discloses his genuine relationship with her to Giovanni. Giovanni wants nothing further to do with Amira, leading to a confrontation between Giovanni and Pierre, who attempts to blackmail him. A physical altercation ensues, resulting in Pierre's injury. As Giovanni departs, Amira seizes the firearm that Giovanni had dropped and uses it to fatally shoot Pierre. Giovanni is accused of murder, subjected to a trial, and subsequently convicted. As the judge pronounces the guilty verdict, Amira, consumed by remorse, confesses to her crime.

Cast

Achille Togliani Achille Togliani (16 January 1924 in Pomponesco, province of Mantua – 12 August 1995) was an Italian singer and actor. He was a participant in the first Sanremo Music Festival in 1951. Achille's version of the song 'Parlami d'amore Mari� ...

as Giovanni Randi *

Virna Lisi Verna or Virna may refer to: People * Verna Aardema (1911–2000), American author of children's books * Verna Bloom (1939–2019), American actress * Virna De Angeli (born 1976), Italian former sprinter * Virna Dias (born 1971), Brazilian reti ...

as Lucia *

Eduardo Ciannelli Eduardo Ciannelli (30 August 1888 – 8 October 1969), was an Italian baritone and character actor with a long career in American films, mostly playing gangsters and criminals. He was sometimes credited as Edward Ciannelli. Early life Ciannelli ...

as Don Giuseppe *

Barbara Shelley Barbara Shelley (born Barbara Teresa Kowin; 13 February 1932 – 3 January 2021) was an English film and television actress. She appeared in more than a hundred films and television series. She was particularly known for her work in horror film ...

as Amira *

Beniamino Maggio Beniamino Maggio (10 August 1907 - 6 September 1990) was an Italian actor. Born in Naples into a family of actors, Maggio debuted on stage as a child, as the sidekick of the comedian Serafino Mastracchio, and he slowly built a reputation in the ...

as Beniamino *

Turi Pandolfini Turi Pandolfini (1 November 1883 – 6 March 1962) was an Italian stage and film character actor. He appeared in 46 films between 1917 and 1961. Life and career Born in Catania, Sicily as Salvatore Pandolfini, the nephew of the actor Ange ...

as Domenico *

Leda Gloria Leda may refer to: Mythology * Leda (mythology), queen of Sparta and mother of Helen of Troy in Greek mythology Places * Leda, Western Australia, a suburb of Perth, Western Australia * Leda makeshift settlement, Bangladesh, a refugee camp ...

as Mother of Giovanni * Marc Lawrence as Pierre * Carlo Tamberlani as Lawyer

References

External links

* 1955 films 1955 crime drama films Italian crime drama films Films directed by Luigi Capuano Films scored by Mario Nascimbene Melodrama films Italian black-and-white films 1950s Italian films {{crime-drama-film-stub