The Thief of Venice

In 1575 Venice, the Doge has just died and Scarpa the Grand Inquisitor leads a plot to seize control of Venice.

Disani, a popular admiral works to stop the Grand Inquisitor's power grab with the help of Lorenzo, one of his officers. They manage to get back to Venice in record time by promising the galley slaves their freedom. When they arrive back Disani is killed and Lorenzo goes into hiding.

Lorenzo continues the fight against Scarpa, who plans to marry Disani's daughter Francesca. Lorenzo and Francesca fall in love even though Lorenzo is also loved by tavern girl Tina.

Lorenzo's rebellion against Scarpa is successful.

• Maria Montez as Tina
• Paul Christian as Alfiere Lorenzo Contarini
• Massimo Serato as Scarpa the Inquisitor
• Faye Marlowe as Francesca Disani
• Aldo Silvani as Capt. von Sturm
• Luigi Saltamerenda ... Alfredo
• Guido Celano ... Polo
• Umberto Sacripante ... Durro
• Camillo Pilotto ... Adm. Disani
• Ferdinando Tamberlani... Lombardi
• Liana Del Balzo ... Duenna
• Paolo Stoppa ... Marco
• Mario Tosi ... Mario
• Vinicio Sofia ... Grazzi
• Leonardo Scavino ... Sharp Eye

The movie was an Italian-American co production. It was announced in March 1949 with Gordon Griffith to be the original producer and Jess Lasky Jnr to be associate producer. Filming was to begin June 1 and Jacques Tourneur was intended to direct.Revue Beckoning Webb; Lesser Planning Series; Rains 'Barricade' Star

Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 17 Mar 1949: 23.

In June it was thought Edmond O'Brien and his wife Olga San Juan would star and the producers would be Monte Schaff and Lou Appleton.MOVIELAND BRIEFS

Los Angeles Times 9 June 1949: B11. Douglas Fairbanks Jnr was also mentioned as a possible lead and Nat Waschburger was going to be the European producer.Israel Bids for Adler, Muni and Hecht Play; Rogers Seeks Star Packet

Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 30 Mar 1949: 15. Olive Deering was mentioned as a possible female lead.Eleanor Parker Will Do First Color Feature; Garland Stirs Memories

Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 10 May 1949: A7.

Eventually in August it was announced Nathan Wachsberger would produce (in Europe) from a script by Jesse Lasky Jrn, and that former Universal contract stars Maria Montez and Paul Christian would star. Christian had just made Bagdad with Maureen O'Hara.Jesse Lasky Jr. Plans Production in Europe; Bromfield Gets New Deal

Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 12 Aug 1949: A7.

John Brahm signed to direct and Faye Marlowe and George Sanders were to play support roles, with filming to start in Italy on 1 November 1949. (Brahm had worked with both at 20th Century Fox.)Faye Marlowe Returning as George Sanders Lead; Ball-Arnaz Deal Sighted

Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 26 Oct 1949: 23. Sanders eventually pulled out.Corey Pursues Romantic Course in 'Furies;' Italy Expedition Launching

Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 28 Oct 1949: 21.

Filming started November 1949 and went until February. Then it resumed in June.{{cite magazine|magazine=Variety|url=https://archive.org/details/variety178-1950-06/page/n90/mode/1up/search/%22maria+montez%22?q=%22maria+montez%22|title=Montex-Henreid Starrer Resumes in Venice|page=25|date=June 6, 1950}}

The movie was shot on location in Italy with studio work done at Scalera Studios.Of Local Origin

New York Times 24 Nov 1952: 19. Filming finished by March 1950.ITALIAN FILM INDUSTRY IS WARY OF AMERICA' S: Suspicions Roused by Treatment Accorded 'Stromboli' and 'Bicycle Thief'-Here Skeptical Not Enough Fog Coming Up

By JANE CIANFARRA. New York Times 26 Mar 1950: 101.

The New York Times called it "mammoth, picturesque and infantile" which "represents the lustiest barrage of screen hokum in a blue moon. Principally because of the unabashed muscularity of the action and a stunning authenticity of background this production... remains for the most part palatable fun to watch."THE SCREEN IN REVIEW

H. H. T. New York Times 28 Nov 1952: 22.

The Christian Science Monitor said that "a series of coups, captures and escapes take place with a great deal of running about but very little inventiveness."Maria Montez Seen in Film Made in Italy

R.N.. The Christian Science Monitor 29 Jan 1953: 6.

The Washington Post called it "a rip snorting Western" style film.'Thief of Venice' Provides Lots of Action -- In 1575

By Dorothea Pattee Post Reporter. The Washington Post 14 Mar 1953: 4.

Jean Pierre Aumont, Montez's husband, liked Brahm's direction so much that he wanted him to direct Aumont in a film called The Bumbler.British Will Re-enact Big Malta Fight; Busch Story Eyed for Jennifer

Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 27 Oct 1952: B9.

{{reflist}}

• {{IMDb title|0042662}}
• [https://letterboxd.com/film/the-thief-of-venice/ The Thief of Venice] at Letterbox DVD
• [https://archive.org/details/variety188-1952-11/page/n71/mode/1up/search/%22maria+montez%22?q=%22maria+montez%22 Review of film] at Variety

{{John Brahm}}

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Category:1950 films

Category:1950s Italian-language films

Category:Films set in Venice

Category:1950 crime films

Category:Films directed by John Brahm

Category:1950s historical films

Category:Italian historical films

Category:20th Century Fox films

Category:Films scored by Alessandro Cicognini

Category:Italian crime films

Category:Italian black-and-white films

Category:1950s Italian films