From 1972, and the film of the same name, please enjoy Rosanna Fratello and her Italo-hit "Smetti di Piovere."
That's "Stop the Rain," for those of you who don't speak romance languages.
My younger brother Drew turned me on to this the other day; he encountered it as the credit song for that aforementioned film (English title: The Pacifist) and he found both of them interesting in a period sort of way, as did I.
The film, which didn't make much of a splash here at the time, is one of those sort of existential/viva la revolution flicks which were so fashionable during the hangover from the 60s, but since it stars the drop dead gorgeous blonde Monica Vitti...
...it deserves behooving by definition. Cineastes will of course recall the beauteous Vitti as the star of several classics by Michelangelo Antonioni, most famously "L'Avventura."
"Smetti" isn't in that league, alas, but hey -- it's Monica freaking Vitti. So here it is, in a nice print, in its entirety.
As for the theme song, which seems to have been a minor European hit, it reminded my brother of "MacArthur Park"; I hear more of a Bond ballad thing, but your mileage may vary. Ms. Fratello was apparently a fairly well known actress and singer in her homeland for many years (including an obligatory disco period) but don't worry -- I'm not gonna make you sit through any of her other stuff.
Coming tomorrow: a fabulously rare and obscure slice of 1966 vinyl recently discovered in the record collection of a certain Shady Dame of my acquaintance.
1 comment:
some of those antonioni movies were so slow, but as you say, signorina vitti was very good looking
my public library has the following available for streaming and i am tempted:
"Story of a love affair (1950) is the legendary Michelangelo Antonioni's debut feature, a powerful statement on the delusions and violence sparked by a passionate love. This deeply tragic romance already exhibits the astonishing formal control and penetrating insights into the human condition that would later make him famous in films like Il Grido, L'Avventura and Blow-up."
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