''Valentina'' is an Italian

erotic thriller The erotic thriller is a film subgenre defined as a thriller with a thematic basis in illicit romance or erotic fantasy. Though exact definitions of the erotic thriller can vary, it is generally agreed "bodily danger and pleasure must remain in ...

television series that originally aired on

Italia 1 Italia 1 (Italian pronunciation ) is an Italian free-to-air television channel on the Mediaset network, owned by MFE - MediaForEurope. It is oriented at both young and adult people. Italia 1 was launched on 3 January 1982 and, originally, was o ...

from September 29 to December 22, 1989. It is based on the Valentina comics series by Italian artist

Guido Crepax Guido Crepas (15 July 1933, in Milan – 31 July 2003, in Milan), better known by his pen name Guido Crepax, was an Italian comics artist. He is most famous for his character '' Valentina'', created in 1965 and very representative of the spirit of ...

. The series follows a

Milan Milan ( , , Lombard: ; it, Milano ) is a city in northern Italy, capital of Lombardy, and the second-most populous city proper in Italy after Rome. The city proper has a population of about 1.4 million, while its metropolitan city h ...

ese photographer, Valentina Rosselli, and her investigations assisted by the antiquarian Phillip Rembrant, with whom she shares an ambiguous relationship. Despite being shot in Italian language, the actors were dubbed over by different people. Demetra Hampton was voiced by Claudia Balboni and Russel Case by Dario Penne. The entire series was dubbed into English for syndication in other countries, and the first three episodes were edited into a feature-length film version which aired on

Showtime Showtime or Show Time may refer to: Film * ''Showtime'' (film), a 2002 American action/comedy film * ''Showtime'' (video), a 1995 live concert video by Blur Television Networks and channels * Showtime Networks, a division of Paramount Global w ...

and

Cinemax Cinemax is an American pay television, cable, and satellite television network owned by the Home Box Office, Inc. subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. Developed as a companion "maxi-pay" service complementing the offerings shown on parent net ...

in their late night programming blocks.

Production

Created by Gianfranco Manfredi, the series is based on the Valentina comics by Italian artist

. It was co-produced between

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

and

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...

. Among the thirteen episodes, there were only two directors: Gianfranco Giagni and Giandomenico Curi. Despite being shot in Italian language, the actors were dubbed over by different people. Demetra Hampton was voiced by Claudia Balboni and Russel Case by

Dario Penne Dario Penne (17 February 1938 – 15 February 2023) was an Italian actor and voice dubbing artist. He dubbed the voices of Anthony Hopkins and Michael Caine in most of their performances, as well as Bender in ''Futurama''. Biography Penne usual ...

. The creator of the original comic book series Crepax later commented he found the series well scripted but thought the role of Valentina was not suited for Hampton. She was given the role after being scouted on her vacation in

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

. The agent saw Hampton, took photos of her and sent them to the producer Angelo Rizzoli. Hampton was sent to

the next day and was immediately cast in role of Valentina. Crepax was unsatisfied with the producer's choice since he wanted the girl who would portray Valentina to be Italian, not American. The first episode, "Baba Yaga" is a remake of Crepax's original story. It had been previously made into a film, ''

Baba Yaga In Slavic folklore, Baba Yaga, also spelled Baba Jaga (from Polish), is a supernatural being (or one of a trio of sisters of the same name) who appears as a deformed and/or ferocious-looking woman. In fairy tales Baba Yaga flies around in a ...

'' (1973), directed by

Corrado Farina Corrado Farina (18 March 1939 – 11 July 2016) was an Italian film director, screenwriter, and novelist. He directed two feature films in the 1970s, many documentaries and commercial Commercial may refer to: * a dose of advertising conveyed t ...

Cast

* Demetra Hampton as Valentina Rosselli *Russel Case as Phillip Rembrant *

Antonello Fassari Antonello Fassari (born 4 October 1952) is an Italian actor and comedian. Life and career Antonello Fassari was born in Rome, where he practiced gymnastics at a competitive level until age 18.Giorgio Dell’Arti, Massimo Parrini. ''Catalogo dei v ...

as Checco *

Mary Sellers __NOTOC__ Wanja Mary Sellers (born September 3, 1962) is an American-Italian actress and director, known for her performances in Italian horror films. Early life Wnanja Mary Sellers was born on September 3, 1962 in Nairobi, Kenya. Career She re ...

as Anita *

Kim Rossi Stuart Kim Rossi Stuart (born 31 October 1969) is an Italian actor and director. Early life and career Rossi Stuart was born in Rome. His father, Giacomo Rossi Stuart, Giacomo, was an actor of Italians, Italian and Scottish people, Scottish descent ( ...

as Bruno *Regina Rodriguez as Tony *Isabelle Illiers as Effie *

Assumpta Serna María Asunción Rodés Serna (born 16 September 1957), better known as Assumpta Serna, is a Spanish actress and author. Born in Barcelona, Serna has performed in 20 countries in six languages and is the recipient of more than 20 international ...

as Baba Yaga

Episodes

External links

References

{{Reflist, 30em 1980s Italian television series 1990s Italian television series 1990 Italian television series endings 1989 Italian television series debuts Italian television series Television shows based on comics Thriller television series Erotic television series

Production

Cast

Episodes

See also

External links

References