Lollobrigida Trial To Begin

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31117, 21 July 1966, Page 12

Lollobrigida Trial To Begin

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright/ VITERBO (Italy), July 20. Gina Lollobrigida went on trial at Viterbo today on obscenity charges arising from her performance as a glamorous hotel-keeper who seduces a bishop’s nephew in the Italian film, “Le Bambole.” Another pretty Italian actress, Virna Lisi, is also accused. A handsome young French actor, Jean Sorel, and an Italian comic actor, Nino Manfredi, who co-starred with the actresses in two episodes of the film, have been committed for trial too. with the

directors, Mauro Bolognini and Dino Risi, and the producer, Gianni Hecht Lucari. They have all been charged with taking part in “an obscene show” because of certain scenes. Although directors and producers have been committed for trial in the past over audacious scenes, this is believed to be the first time in Italy that actors have been charged with obscenity because of their performances. The episode in which Miss Lollobrigida and Jean Sorel appear, directed by Bolognini, is entitled "Monsignor Cupid.” It is a modernised version of the story by the early Italian writer, Boccaccio, about the seduction of an innocent young bishop's* nephew (Sorel) and by a glamorous—and enterprising hotel-

keeper (Lollobrigida), with the unwitting aid of his uncle. There is a scene in which the young man finally realises the beautiful hotel-keeper’s intentions and leaps into her room and bed. Miss Lollobrigida has been quoted as saying that in the scene she was wearing fleshcoloured tights and was not in the nude. Miss Lisi and Nino Manfredi appear in “The Telephone Call,” directed by Dino Risi, about a husband who is obviously anxious to take his beautiful, blonde wife to bed. She is so busy talking to her mother on the telephone that he gives up, and decides to visit a curvaceous and accommodating next-door neighbour —as his wife goes on talking. It is not known whether any of the accused will be present at the trial. Their presence is not required under Italian law, and several are busy filming at present All will be represented by their lawyers. The case started when a member of the public lodged

a protest with the police about two episodes in the film, claiming that he was “scandalised.” The actors, actresses and directors were all questioned in private—Miss Lollobrigida for nearly two hours—by the Magistrate investigating whether charges should be brought against them. The film was seized but later rereieased—with cuts. The actors, directors and producers were ordered to stand trial after long investigations which ended last De-, cember. The hearing was adjourned until October 4, when the judges and members of the Court will attend a screening of the uncut version of the film.