The Barefoot Contessa

I have always felt that if Humphrey Bogart had not died in 1957 he would have gradually left the lead roles of his greatest films to pick up very juicy character roles, and the film that convinces of this is... Full review

Ava Gardner is beautiful Spanish dancer Maria Vargas who is discovered and given a Hollywood contract in "The Barefoot Contessa," also starring Humphrey Bogart, Edmund O'Brien, Rossanno Brazzi, Marius Goring, and Valentina Cortese. Written and directed by Joseph Mankiewicz, the... Full review

While in the burial of Countess Torlato-Favrini (Ava Gardner), her friend Harry Dawes (Humphrey Bogart) and her acquaintance Oscar Muldoon (Edmond O'Brien) recalls parts of her past. When the wealthy Kirk Edwards (Warren Stevens) hires director and screenplay writer Harry... Full review

This sometimes slow, but interesting, movie has a number of strengths, most notably its characters, writing, and settings. The cast also features some fine performances from Ava Gardner, Humphrey Bogart, and Edmund O'Brien. The 'contessa' herself is undeniably the center... Full review

Joseph L. Mankiewicz, probably most famous for his CLEOPATRA (1963) with Liz Taylor and Richard Burton made this film in a very similar way almost 10 years earlier. What you find here is, first of all, very good cast, great... Full review

It's been stated - often in these very pages - that film is a visual medium. Nothing wrong with that until you start thinking about all those 'Movie-Quote' books that are gradually becoming a mini industry. Any genuine film buff... Full review

I expected much more out of the writer of this film. Was he not the creator of "All About Eve"? That was a wonderful satirical work with interesting, believable characters. This movie seemed to be ponderously written with a series of... Full review

This film covers a lot of the same themes as Sunset Boulevard, though in my opinion that film is more riveting than this one. It's hard to believe Bogart got top billing for this one since this film clearly revolves... Full review

A quietly moving film about the short life of a curiously indescribable woman, Maria Vargas (Ava Gardner), and the men who knew her. Joseph L. Mankiewicz is probably most famous for his film All About Eve, which he both wrote... Full review

"The Barefoot Contessa" is a greatly underrated film--which is rather surprising, when you consider the amount of talent involved. First, there's the brilliant script by Joe Mankiewicz, who was always at his best when dissecting Hollywood and its denizens. The... Full review

Nicolai's polished writing....Italy's best-known actors, due to his success in American productions.... ... Full Review

The performances are (with a couple of exceptions) good but overrated, and the film doesn't delve deeply enough into the passions of the characters to draw the audience in. Writer-director Joseph L. Mankiewicz attempts to duplicate his success with All About Eve with another study of stardom. ... Full Review

The problem is (and it's the worst problem a movie can have), this film is boring. The Barefoot Contessa" is such a great title. ... Full Review

All Things Considered , July 9, 2009 ? Something disturbing happened to me the other day - I got a friendship request on Facebook. It was from my mother. ... Full Article

Oscar-winner Edmond O'Brien was one of the greatest and most respected character actors in American cinema during the heyday of his movie career, which ran from the mid-1940s through the late 1960s. ... Full Article

I'm off to Rome for a bit of escapism. Gucci is holding a show to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the opening of its Via Condotti store. ... Full Article

The Food Network has perfected a winning recipe: Mix lifestyle, personality and food, and millions of viewers-90 million subscribers at last count-will flock to the table. ... Full Article

The Barefoot Contessa begins at the funeral of Ava Gardner, a former Spanish peasant, cabaret dancer and movie star, who at the time of her death was a full-fledged contessa. ... Full Article

A curious examination of the ruthlessness of Hollywood from All About Eve writer-director Joseph L Mankiewicz, The Barefoot Contessa rails against the moneymen, the publicists, and the hangers-on, but thanks to its idealised view of the creative members of the... ... Full Article