Universal/Malenotti. Director Mauro Bolognini; Producer Maleno Malenotti; Writer Adriano Baracco; Camera Ennio Guarnieri Editor Eraldo Da Roma; Music Ennio Morricone Art Alberto Boccianti
Virna Lisi
James Fox
Margaret Rutherford
Terry-Thomas
Paola Borboni
Giancarlo Giannini
Arabella, Italian-produced with an English and Italian cast, is a series of episodes none too adroitly woven together which focus on the larcenous activities of Virna Lisi as she tries to help her Italian princess-grandma (Margaret Rutherford) pay taxes dating back to 1895. There are bright flashes of comedy, and as many long sequences of contrived and amateurish action, which add up to a mildly amusing film.
One of the more humorous aspects of feature is Terry-Thomas, portraying three different characters in as many sequences, involving Lisi in her scramble to latch onto a bundle.
The production, benefitting by lush sets and costumes of the Italian 1928 period, is overly-burdened with a script not sufficiently developed and attempting comedy that frequently does not jell.
(Color) Widescreen. Extract of a review from 1969. Running time: 88 MIN.
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