Every summer Turner Classic Movie has one month where have a program called “Summer Under the Stars.” Where they select one actress or actor once a day and show a majority of the movies they starred in.
On August 30th TCM picked one of the all the time favorite actors: Marcello Mastroianni!
So from sun up to sun down they will show nothing but some of this incredible movies he starred in. I will highlight some of the movies they are showing tomorrow. (I may sound repetitious in saying that some of the movies I will discuss are my favorites!)
Le Notti Bianche (1957) (showing on 8/30 at 6am EST)- also starring Maria Schell, and Jean Marais. Directed by Luchino Visconti. Based a short story by Fyodor Dostoesky of the same name. It stars Marcello Mastroianni as a young man called Mario who moves to a new town. He lives a solidarity life as a store clerk until he was closing up his shop one night and notices a women (played by Maria Schell) waiting at a bridge. He approaches and tries to befriend her but she admits to him that she has been going to this bridge every night for years in hopes that her lover (played by Jean Marais) (who vowed to come back one day) will return. Mario is quite smitted by this woman and does everything he can in order for her to change her mind about always waiting for someone he feels may never return. 
The reason why I love this movie: I am not much of a romantic and I really do not watch a lot of romance movies, However this is one of the few movies that hits such an emotional cord inside me. I have cried everytime I watch this because you have a sense that all of the characters in this movie have experience such emotional loss in their life.
Ginger and Fred (1986) (showing on 8/30 at 10am EST)- also starring Giulietta Masina. Directed by Federico Fellini
Marcello Mastroianni and Giulietta Masina played two dancers who impersonated one of the most famous dancing duos Ginger Ringers and Fred Astaire when they were younger. Many decades later they were recently invited to appear on a Italian TV show to reunited and dance once again! 
The reason why I adore this film. I had such a Fellini movie phase in my life they I never really grew out of . I really like this film because I feel like this is one of Fellini films that have the most heart in it. It is a sweet comedy and it makes root for this dancing couple!
8 1/2 (1963) (showing on 8/30 at 8pm EST)- also starring Claudia Cardinale, Anouk Aimee and Sandra Milo.
Marcello Mastroianni plays Guido Anselmi a famous movie director who is going through a creative block and is on a deadline to submit a science fiction movie idea. Instead of him moving forward on new ideas he retreats back into his memories of his life. Both good or bad memories he starts to reminisce on them which makes him think more on his personal life (such as his marriage) rather then how his movie should turn out. 
The rest why I adore this movie. To be honest the first time I watched this movie I thought it was boring however some images stayed with me for months after I watched it. It forced me to re watch the movie and with the second viewing it made me understand it better in terms that this movie was more of an autobiographical story of Fellini and his creative blocks and quickly became a favorite to talk about. 
For the full list of Marcello Mastroianni movies they will be playing on Turner Classic Movies tomorrow the link is below (Scroll down near the bottom to see his list!)
Until Next Time!!!
ladycultblog 