Based on a venerable Legend of the Sea, the story concerns a pliable prostitute named Bella who is all things to all men. No matter what sort of woman her client wants, she will become that woman — at least for the night. When a middle-aged man named Jean insists that Bella is his long-lost sweetheart, she plays along, hoping to escape her sordid lifestyle. The emotional tragedy that follows is meant to explain how Bella became “Maya,” the living embodiment of Lost Souls.
Tag: 1940s
A socially committed film about the feudal state of many Japanese women in 1946. Hiroko Hosokawa, a female lawyer, defends Mrs. Asakura, who suffocated her child in her grief after her husband died penniless following an industrial accident. The prosecutor is Hiroko’s sister’s husband Kono, who also sent Hiroko’s fiance, Yamaoka, to jail for his liberal views during the war. Yamaoka has just been freed, but is seriously ill from his time in prison.
In Rome’s storied marketplace, Campo de’ fiore, vegetable peddler Elide argues constantly with fishmonger Peppino , refusing to admit her deep, hidden affection for him. Elide’s reticence is put to the test, however, when Peppino finds himself smitten by the beautiful young Elsa.
A collection agent arrives in a small town with $1000 for a local farmer. Whilst waiting for the farmer to arrive the money is put in a safe at a hotel for safe keeping. However, it is removed by mistake and solves a number of financial problems before it is returned.
Raised by Natalie Brennan, a flamboyant and irresponsible mother, Ziggy Brennan gets involved in hustling men at a young age. She hangs around with a wild crowd and learns gets her “street smarts” first from her mother, who wants everyone to think they are sisters, and then from Denny Reagan, an older man. He starts teaching her his tricks of the trade and she falls right in line with his crooked ways. Then one night she meets Martin J. ‘Mart’ Neilson, a tall, handsome, honest farmer boy who’s a sailor and they fall in love. While he’s away fighting the war, she discovers she’s pregnant.
A criminal uses his knowledge of the law for his not-very-legal purposes, betraying friends along the way.
The two leading actors form a team traveling round performing as a professional dancing couple who has difficulty making ends meet. Ebbe Rode is the dreamer and Bodil Kjer the down to earth realist. Bodil Kjer expands her image to encompass the disillusioned woman reflecting the hard life she has gone through. Ebbe Rodes disappointed optimism turn into violence with dramatic consequences.