The Società Italiana Cines (''Italian Cines Company'') is a film company specializing in production and distribution of films. The company was founded on 1 April 1906. A major force in the European film industry before the

First World War World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

, the company took part in the

Paris Film Congress The Paris Film Congress was a major meeting of European film producers and distributors in the French capital Paris from 2–4 February 1909. It intended to create an association to protect the interests of the participants through the formation of ...

in 1909, a failed attempt to create a cartel similar to the MPPC in the United States. In 1926 the company was taken over by

Stefano Pittaluga Stefano Pittaluga (2 February 1887 – 26 April 1932) was an Italian film producer, one of several figures who helped revive Cinema of Italy, Italian film production in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Originally a Genoa-based owner of movie theat ...

who oversaw production until his death in 1932.

Emilio Cecchi Emilio Cecchi (14 July 1884 – 5 September 1966) was an Italian literary critic, art critic and screenwriter. One English language source describes him as "an 'official' - although radically anti-academic - intellectual". He was made artistic ...

served as head of production for a year following Pittaluga's death. In 1930, at the time of the rebirth of Italian cinema, the old label had produced

The Song of Love ''The Song of Love'' (also known as ''Le chant d'amour'' or ''Love Song'') is a 1914 painting by Italian metaphysical painter Giorgio de Chirico. It is one of the most famous works by Chirico and an early example of the surrealist style, thoug ...

, the first

sound film A sound film is a motion picture with synchronized sound, or sound technologically coupled to image, as opposed to a silent film. The first known public exhibition of projected sound films took place in Paris in 1900, but decades passed before ...

Italy Italy ( it, Italia ), officially the Italian Republic, ) or the Republic of Italy, is a country in Southern Europe. It is located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, and its territory largely coincides with the homonymous geographical re ...

. The new

Cines Studios The Cines Studios were film production studios located in the Italian capital Rome. They were established on Via Veio in 1930 by Stefano Pittaluga, head of the Cines film company, at the beginning of the sound era. It produced Italy's first sound ...

were constructed in

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 ...

and functioned as the country's most important film studios until they were destroyed in a fire in 1935. Under the leadership of Carlo Roncoroni it was involved in the state-backed project to build Cinecitta which opened in 1937. Following Roncoroni's death, the company was nationalised under the

ENIC Ente Nazionale Industrie Cinematografiche (ENIC) was an Italian film production and distribution entity that operated between 1935 and 1956. It was formed in 1935, taking over the former organisation of Stefano Pittaluga and his Cines company. ...

umbrella. It was relaunched in 1941 as part of the

Fascist Fascism is a far-right, Authoritarianism, authoritarian, ultranationalism, ultra-nationalist political Political ideology, ideology and Political movement, movement,: "extreme militaristic nationalism, contempt for electoral democracy and pol ...

government's scheme to boost film production. It survived the fall of

Mussolini Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini (; 29 July 188328 April 1945) was an Italian politician and journalist who founded and led the National Fascist Party. He was Prime Minister of Italy from the March on Rome in 1922 until his deposition in 194 ...

and continued into the postwar era. Image edited

In 1956, he received the

Nastro d'Argento for Best Producer The ''Nastro d'Argento'' (Silver Ribbon) is a film award assigned each year, since 1946, by ''Sindacato Nazionale dei Giornalisti Cinematografici Italiani'' ("Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists"), the association of Italian film critics. ...

. However, in 1958, the Cines ceased operations and was liquidated by the

Finance Ministry A finance minister is an executive or cabinet position in charge of one or more of government finances, economic policy and financial regulation. A finance minister's portfolio has a large variety of names around the world, such as "treasury", " ...

. In 2006, on the occasion of the centenary of the very first foundation, through the work of the editorial group Persians Publisher - New Media Entertainment has been given life to a new cine, with an essentially private, who recovered the brand and the artistic legacy of the previous management.

Selected filmography

* ''

Beatrice Cenci Beatrice Cenci (; 6 February 157711 September 1599) was a Roman noblewoman who murdered her father, Count Francesco Cenci. She was beheaded in 1599 after a lurid murder trial in Rome that gave rise to an enduring legend about her. Life Beatri ...

'' (1909) * '' Agrippina'' (1911) * ''

Quo Vadis ''Quō vādis?'' (, ) is a Latin phrase meaning "Where are you marching?". It is also commonly translated as "Where are you going?" or, poetically, "Whither goest thou?" The phrase originates from the Christian tradition regarding Saint Pete ...

'' (1913) * '' Broken Idol'' (1913) * ''

Antony and Cleopatra ''Antony and Cleopatra'' (First Folio title: ''The Tragedie of Anthonie, and Cleopatra'') is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. The play was first performed, by the King's Men, at either the Blackfriars Theatre or the Globe Theatre in around ...

'' (1913) * ''

Julius Caesar Gaius Julius Caesar (; ; 12 July 100 BC – 15 March 44 BC), was a Roman general and statesman. A member of the First Triumvirate, Caesar led the Roman armies in the Gallic Wars before defeating his political rival Pompey in a civil war, and ...

'' (1914) * ''

Hamlet ''The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark'', often shortened to ''Hamlet'' (), is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1599 and 1601. It is Shakespeare's longest play, with 29,551 words. Set in Denmark, the play depicts ...

'' (1917) * ''

Ivan the Terrible Ivan IV Vasilyevich (russian: Ива́н Васи́льевич; 25 August 1530 – ), commonly known in English as Ivan the Terrible, was the grand prince of Moscow from 1533 to 1547 and the first Tsar of all Russia from 1547 to 1584. Ivan ...

'' (1917) * '' The Courier of Moncenisio'' (1927) * ''

Kif Tebbi ''Kif Tebbi'' is a 1928 Italian silent war film directed by Mario Camerini. The film portrays the Italo-Turkish War. A young Italian-educated Libyan nobleman is summoned to fight for the Ottoman Empire when war breaks out in 1911, but eventually ...

'' (1928) * ''

'' (1930) * '' Nerone'' (1930) * '' When Naples Sings'' (1930) * ''

Courtyard A courtyard or court is a circumscribed area, often surrounded by a building or complex, that is open to the sky. Courtyards are common elements in both Western and Eastern building patterns and have been used by both ancient and contemporary ...

'' (1931) * ''

Before the Jury ''Before the Jury'' (Italian title:''Corte d'Assise'') is a 1931 Italian crime film directed by Guido Brignone and starring Marcella Albani, Lia Franca and Carlo Ninchi. It was made at the Cines Studios in Rome. The film is a precursor to the ...

'' (1931) * '' Figaro e la Sua Gran Giornata'' (1931) * ''

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, which ...

'' (1931) * ''

Mother Earth Mother Earth may refer to: *The Earth goddess in any of the world's mythologies *Mother goddess *Mother Nature, a common personification of the Earth and its biosphere as the giver and sustainer of life Written media and literature *Mother Earth ...

'' (1931) * '' The Doctor in Spite of Himself'' (1931) * ''

The Devil's Lantern ''The Devil's Lantern'' (Italian: ''La lanterna del diavolo'') is a 1931 Italian drama film directed by Carlo Campogalliani and starring Nella Maria Bonora, Donatella Neri, and Carlo Gualandri.Mancini p.54 It was made at the Cines Studios in ...

'' (1931) * '' The Charmer'' (1931) * ''

Lowered Sails ''Lowered Sails'' (Italian: ''Vele ammainate'') is a 1931 Italian drama film directed by Anton Giulio Bragaglia and starring Dria Paola, Carlo Fontana and Umberto Guarracino.Moliterno p.48 The film's sets were designed by the art directors, Gast ...

'' (1931) * ''

The Private Secretary ''The Private Secretary'' is an 1883 farce in three acts, by Charles Hawtrey (actor born 1858), Charles Hawtrey. The play, adapted from a German original, depicts the vicissitudes of a mild young clergyman, innocently caught up in the machinatio ...

'' (1931) * ''

The Man with the Claw ''The Man with the Claw'' (Italian: ''L'uomo dall'artiglio'') is a 1931 Italian mystery film directed by Nunzio Malasomma and starring Dria Paola, Carlo Fontana, and Elio Steiner. It was made at the Cines Studios in Rome with sets designed by th ...

'' (1931) * '' Your Money or Your Life'' (1932) * ''

Paradise In religion, paradise is a place of exceptional happiness and delight. Paradisiacal notions are often laden with pastoral imagery, and may be cosmogonical or eschatological or both, often compared to the miseries of human civilization: in paradis ...

'' (1932) * '' The Telephone Operator'' (1932) * '' The Last Adventure'' (1932) * ''

Pergolesi Pergolesi is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, (1710–1736), Italian composer, violinist, and organist * Michael Angelo Pergolesi, 18th-century Italian decorative artist {{Surname Italian-langu ...

'' (1932) * ''

The Opera Singer ''The Opera Singer'' ( it, La cantante dell'opera) is a 1932 Italian musical film directed by Nunzio Malasomma and starring Gianfranco Giachetti, Germana Paolieri and Isa Pola.Ricci p.142 Cast * Gianfranco Giachetti as Papussa * Germana Pao ...

'' (1932) * ''

What Scoundrels Men Are! ''What Scoundrels Men Are!'' ( it, Gli uomini, che mascalzoni!) is a 1932 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Mario Camerini. The film was a great success, De Sica and Lia Franca became stars and the song ''Parlami d'amore Mari ...

'' (1932) * ''

The Table of the Poor ''The Table of the Poor'' (Italian: ''La tavola dei poveri'') is a 1932 Italian drama film directed by Alessandro Blasetti and starring Raffaele Viviani, Leda Gloria and Salvatore Costa. It was based on a play by Viviani set in Naples. It was s ...

'' 1932) * ''

Palio Palio is the name given in Italy to an annual athletic contest, very often of a historical character, pitting the neighbourhoods of a town or the hamlets of a ''comune'' against each other. Typically, they are fought in costume and commemorate som ...

'' (1932) * ''

The Blue Fleet ''L'Armata Azzurra'' (English: ''The Blue Army'' or ''The Blue Fleet'' AKA ''The Winged Armada'' and ''Italy Speaks'') is a 1932 Italian aviation docu-drama and adventure film directed by Gennaro Righelli and starring Germana Paolieri and Ennio ...

'' (1932) * ''

The Haller Case ''The Haller Case'' (Italian: ''Il caso Haller'') is a 1933 Italian thriller film directed by Alessandro Blasetti and starring Marta Abba, Memo Benassi and Camillo Pilotto.Brizio-Skov p.54 The film is based on the 1893 play '' Der Andere'' by Pa ...

'' (1933) * '' Fanny'' (1933) * ''

Steel Steel is an alloy made up of iron with added carbon to improve its strength and fracture resistance compared to other forms of iron. Many other elements may be present or added. Stainless steels that are corrosion- and oxidation-resistant ty ...

'' (1933) * ''

Model Wanted ''Model Wanted'' ( it, Cercasi modella) is a 1933 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by E. W. Emo and starring Elsa Merlini, Nino Besozzi Nino Besozzi (6 February 1901 – 2 February 1971) was an Italian film actor. He appe ...

'' (1933) * ''

Together in the Dark ''Together in the Dark'' (Italian: ''Al buio insieme'') is a 1933 Italian comedy film directed by Gennaro Righelli and starring Sandra Ravel, Maurizio D'Ancora and Lamberto Picasso.Mancini p.216 The film's sets were designed by the art director Ga ...

'' (1933) * ''

Giallo In Italian cinema, ''Giallo'' (; plural ''gialli'', from ''giallo'', Italian for yellow) is a genre of mystery fiction and thrillers that often contains slasher, crime fiction, psychological thriller, psychological horror, sexploitation, and, ...

'' (1933) * ''

The Last of the Bergeracs ''The Last of the Bergeracs'' (Italian: ''L'ultimo dei Bergerac'') is a 1934 Italian comedy film directed by Gennaro Righelli and starring Ketty Maya, Arturo Falconi and Italia Almirante-Manzini.Goble p.996 Cast References Bibliography * G ...

'' (1934) * ''

Seconda B ''Seconda B'' is a 1934 Italian comedy film directed by Goffredo Alessandrini and starring Sergio Tofano, Dina Perbellini and María Denis. It was screened at the Venice Film Festival where it was awarded a prize. It started a trend for "schoolgirl ...

'' (1934) * ''

Loyalty of Love ''Loyalty of Love'' (Italian: ''Teresa Confalonieri'') is a 1934 Italian historical drama film directed by Guido Brignone and starring Marta Abba, Nerio Bernardi and Luigi Cimara. It is based on the story of Teresa Confalonieri, a celebrated fig ...

'' (1934) * ''

Everybody's Woman ''Everybody's Woman'' (Italian: ''La signora di tutti'') is a 1934 Italian drama film directed by Max Ophüls and starring Isa Miranda, Memo Benassi and Tatyana Pavlova. It is the only film Max Ophüls made in Italy. The film was a success an ...

'' (1934) * ''

1860 Events January–March * January 2 – The discovery of a hypothetical planet Vulcan is announced at a meeting of the French Academy of Sciences in Paris, France. * January 10 – The Pemberton Mill in Lawrence, Massachusett ...

'' (1934) * ''

A Woman Between Two Worlds ''A Woman Between Two Worlds'' (Italian: ''Una donna tra due mondi'') is a 1936 Italian Telefoni Bianchi, white telephone drama film directed by Goffredo Alessandrini and starring Isa Miranda, Assia Noris and Giulio Donadio. The film's sets were d ...

'' (1936) * ''

After Casanova's Fashion ''After Casanova's Fashion'' (Italian: ''Casanova farebbe così!'') is a 1942 Italian comedy film directed by Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia and starring Eduardo De Filippo, Peppino De Filippo, and Clelia Matania.Moliterno p.48 It was shot at the Cine ...

'' (1942) * ''

The Jester's Supper ''La cena delle beffe'' (''The Jesters' Supper'') is an opera in four acts composed by Umberto Giordano to an Italian libretto by Sem Benelli adapted from his 1909 The Jester's Supper (play), play of the same name. The opera premiered on 20 Decem ...

'' (1942) * ''

Sleeping Beauty ''Sleeping Beauty'' (french: La belle au bois dormant, or ''The Beauty in the Sleeping Forest''; german: Dornröschen, or ''Little Briar Rose''), also titled in English as ''The Sleeping Beauty in the Woods'', is a fairy tale about a princess cu ...

'' (1942) * ''

Before the Postman ''There's Room Up Ahead'' (Italian: ''Avanti c'è posto'') is a 1942 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Bonnard and starring Aldo Fabrizi, Andrea Checchi and Adriana Benetti.Moliterno p.45 It was made at Cinecittà in Rome. Plot A young girl ...

'' (1942) * ''

Music on the Run ''Music on the Run'' (Italian: ''Fuga a due voci'') is a 1943 Italian " white-telephones" musical comedy film directed by Carlo Ludovico Bragaglia and starring Gino Bechi, Irasema Dilián and Guglielmo Barnabò.Burke p.381 The film's sets were des ...

'' (1943) * ''

Sad Loves ''Sad Loves'' (Italian: ''Tristi amori'') is a 1943 Italian historical drama film directed by Carmine Gallone and starring Jules Berry, Gino Cervi and Andrea Checchi.Nowell-Smith, Hay & Volpi p.57 It was based on the play of the same title by Giu ...

'' (1943) * ''

Two Hearts Among the Beasts ''Two Hearts Among the Beasts'' (Italian: ''Due cuori fra le belve'') is a 1943 Italian comedy film directed by Giorgio Simonelli and starring Totò, Vera Carmi and Enrico Glori.Parish p.139 A dancing master takes part in an expedition to Africa fi ...

'' (1943) * ''

Charley's Aunt ''Charley's Aunt'' is a farce in three acts written by Brandon Thomas. The story centres on Lord Fancourt Babberley, an undergraduate whose friends Jack and Charley persuade him to impersonate the latter's aunt. The complications of the plot inc ...

'' (1943) * ''

Harlem Harlem is a neighborhood in Upper Manhattan, New York City. It is bounded roughly by the Hudson River on the west; the Harlem River and 155th Street (Manhattan), 155th Street on the north; Fifth Avenue on the east; and 110th Street (Manhattan), ...

'' (1943) * ''

The Innkeeper ''The Innkeeper'' (Italian: ''La locandiera'' also known as ''Mirandolina'') is a 1944 Italian historical comedy film directed by Luigi Chiarini and starring Luisa Ferida, Armando Falconi and Osvaldo Valenti.Reich & Garafalo p.28 The film is an a ...

'' (1944) * ''

The Priest's Hat ''The Priest's Hat'' (Italian: ''Il cappello da prete'') is a 1944 Italian historical thriller drama film directed by Ferdinando Maria Poggioli and starring Roldano Lupi, Lída Baarová and Luigi Almirante. It is based on the 1888 novel of the sam ...

'' (1944) * ''

What a Distinguished Family ''What a Distinguished Family'' (Italian: ''Che distinta famiglia!'') is a 1945 Italian " white-telephones" comedy film directed by Mario Bonnard and starring Gino Cervi, Assia Noris and Aroldo Tieri.Moliterno p.227 The film's art direction was ...

'' (1945) * ''

Night Taxi ''Night Taxi'' (Italian: ''Taxi di notte'') is a 1950 French-Italian comedy film about a taxicab driver, directed by Carmine Gallone and starring Beniamino Gigli, Danielle Godet and Philippe Lemaire.Apra p.93 After finding a baby left abandoned in ...

'' (1950) * ''

Devotion Devotion or Devotions may refer to: Religion * Faith, confidence or trust in a person, thing, or concept * Anglican devotions, private prayers and practices used by Anglican Christians * Buddhist devotion, commitment to religious observance * Cat ...

'' (1950) * ''

Four Ways Out ''Four Ways Out'' ( it, La città si difende) is a 1951 Italian crime film directed by Pietro Germi and starring Gina Lollobrigida, Renato Baldini and Cosetta Greco. The film won the award for Best Italian Film at the 1951 Venice Film Festival. ...

'' (1951) * ''

His Last Twelve Hours ''His Last Twelve Hours'' (French: ''Pour l'amour du ciel'', Italian: ''È più facile che un cammello...'') is a 1951 French-Italian drama film directed by Luigi Zampa and starring Jean Gabin, Mariella Lotti and Elli Parvo. The film's sets w ...

'' (1951) * '' Honeymoon Deferred'' (1951) * ''

In Olden Days ''In Olden Days'' ( it, Altri tempi, link=no, also known as ''Times Gone By'' and ''Infidelity'') is a 1952 Italian anthology film. Plot The cart of old books A good-natured peddler of old books shows his customers some works from the past ...

'' (1952) * ''

Leathernose ''Leathernose'' (French: ''Nez de cuir'', Italian: ''Naso di cuoio'') is a 1952 French-Italian historical drama film directed by Yves Allégret and starring Jean Marais, Françoise Christophe and Mariella Lotti.Hayward p.68 It is an adaptation of ...

'' (1952) * ''

Finishing School A finishing school focuses on teaching young women social graces and upper-class cultural rites as a preparation for entry into society. The name reflects that it follows on from ordinary school and is intended to complete the education, wit ...

'' (1953) * '' A Hundred Years of Love'' (1954) * ''

Symphony of Love ''Symphony of Love'' (Italian: ''Sinfonia d'amore'') is a 1954 French-Italian historical melodrama musical film directed by Glauco Pellegrini and starring Claude Laydu, Marina Vlady and Lucia Bosé. It is a biopic portraying the life of the compos ...

'' (1954) * ''

The Two Friends ''The Two Friends'' (Italian: ''I due compari'') is a 1955 Italian comedy film directed by Carlo Borghesio and starring Aldo Fabrizi, Peppino De Filippo and Giulia Rubini.Pintaldi p.69 The film's sets were designed by Flavio Mogherini. Cast * A ...

'' (1955) * ''

Wives and Obscurities ''Wives and Obscurities'' (Italian:''Moglie e buoi...'') is a 1956 Italian comedy film directed by Leonardo De Mitri and starring Gino Cervi, Walter Chiari and Enrico Viarisio Enrico Viarisio (3 December 1897 – 1 November 1967) was an Italian ...

'' (1956)

Bibliography

*Riccardo Redi, ''La Cines. Storia di una casa di produzione italiana'', Persiani Editore, Bologna 2009. * Marina Nicoli. ''The Rise and Fall of the Italian Film Industry''. Taylor & Francis, 2016.

External links

Official Cines website (english version)Video the Cines History (italian)

References

{{Authority control Mass media companies established in 1906 Italian companies established in 1906 Film production companies of Italy Film distributors of Italy Mass media companies of Italy