Gardenia (film)

{{Infobox film

| name = Gardenia

| image = Gardenia (film).jpg

| alt =

| caption =

| director = Domenico Paolella

| producer =

| screenplay = Augusto Caminito{{sfn|Curti|2013|p=261}}

| story = {{plainlist|*Teodoro Corra

Gino Capone
Augusto Caminito{{sfn|Curti|2013|p=261}}}}

| based_on =

| starring = {{plainlist|*Franco Califano

| music = Franco Califano{{sfn|Curti|2013|p=261}}

| cinematography = Sergio Robini{{sfn|Curti|2013|p=261}}

| editing = Amedeo Giomini{{sfn|Curti|2013|p=261}}

| studio = {{plainlist|*P.A.C.

Orsa Maggiore Cinematografica{{sfn|Curti|2013|p=261}}}}

| distributor = P.A.C.

| released = {{Film date|df=yes|1979|5|5|Italy}}

| runtime = 100 minutes{{sfn|Curti|2013|p=261}}

| country = Italy{{sfn|Curti|2013|p=261}}

| language = Italian
English

| budget =

| gross = ₤108 million

}}

Gardenia ({{langx|it|Gardenia, il giustiziere della mala}}) is a 1979 Italian poliziottesco film directed by Domenico Paolella. It represents the first leading role for the singer-songwriter Franco Califano.{{cite book|author1=Roberto Chiti |author2=Roberto Poppi |author3=Enrico Lancia |title=Dizionario del cinema italiano: I film|publisher=Gremese, 1991|isbn=8876059350}}{{cite book|last=Roberto Curti|title=Italia odia: il cinema poliziesco italiano|year=2006|publisher=Lindau, 2006|isbn=8871805860}}{{cite book|last=Marco Giusti|title=Dizionario dei film italiani stracult|year=1999|publisher=Sperling & Kupfer|isbn=8820029197}}

Plot

In the city of Rome lives Gardenia, a respected exponent of Roman organized crime who shows a certain humanity in managing his business. He runs a restaurant and a clandestine gambling house, and has a woman named Regina.

Contacted by Don Salluzzo, a mafia boss, he categorically refuses to enter the drug business and sell it in his restaurant.

Because of his refusal he comes into conflict with Salluzzo who tries several times to eliminate him, but with the help of some childhood friends he finally manages to win.

Cast

Franco Califano as Gardenia
Martin Balsam as Salluzzo
Robert Webber as Tony Caruso
Eleonora Vallone as Regina
Licinia Lentini as Miriam Bella
Franco Diogene as Friend of Gardenia
María Baxa as Gardenia Girl
Venantino Venantini as Nocita
Lory Del Santo as Laura
Lorraine De Selle as Consuelo
Melissa Chimenti as Melissa

Release

Gardenia was released theatrically in Italy on 5 May 1979 where it was distributed by P.A.C.{{sfn|Curti|2013|p=261}} It grossed 108 million Italian lire on its release in Italy.{{sfn|Curti|2013|p=261}}