Variety Lights Movie Review

1950's Variety Lights is often overlooked and underrated by Federico Fellini buffs, partly because he shared directing credit on this maiden effort with Alberto Lattuada. But it is a jewel of a film to discover on a video shelf. Carla Del Poggio is its beautiful but not particularly talented protagonist. She wants to be a star and the terribly smitten Peppino de Felippo wants her. Giulietta Masina is his long-suffering love, ready to scrape him out of the gutter after the inevitable moment when Carla breaks his heart. Besides this oh-so-familiar triangle, we have the joy and vitality of small-time show business, best appreciated on its own ephemeral terms. One of the best sequences involves a rich guy who wines and dines the entire theatrical troupe just so he can have his way with Carla. Everyone knows the game but him: eat first, then protect your virtue. Masina was to become Fellini's eternal gamine, but in this film she is well able to take care of herself. Variety Lights is Fellini's early tribute to Masina's unique ability to project a love that helps her to survive life's painful realities, and make her partner's grandiose visions possible. AKA: Luci del Varieta; Lights of Variety.

1951 93m/B IT Giulietta Masina, Peppino de Filippo, Carla Del Poggio, Folco Lulli; D: Federico Fellini, Alberto Lattuada; W: Alberto Lattuada, Federico Fellini, Tullio Pinelli, Ennio Flaiano; C: Otello Martelli; M: Felice Lattuada. VHS