Lux Film publicity photo
Today is the birthday of an Italian actress, Silvana Mangano, who was born in 1930, in Rome to an Italian father and an English mother.
I remember seeing her in the film, Anna,
in 1953. I was a brand new teenager, my hormones were beginning to go
into overdrive and I thought she was the most beautiful woman I'd ever
seen. Actually, the only recollection of the film I have, which I STILL
remember to this day, is when she sings the song Anna in a nightclub scene (link below).
movie poster
I
remember running to a record store with my weekly allowance to buy the song which was on this 45 RPM record. The title on the record is, Anna, but in very tiny letters is, El Negro Zumbón (The Black Joker), a baião. It has a very beautiful and very sensual samba beat. It was written for the film Anna, which was directed by Alberto Lattuada and the score was written by Nino Rota (link below).
The Baião is a NortheasternBrazilianmusic genre and dance style based on a syncopatedduple meterrhythm, based around the pulse of the zabumba,
a flat, double-headed bass drum played with a mallet in one hand and a
stick in the other, each striking the opposite head of the drum for
alternating high and low notes, frequently accompanied by an accordion and a triangle pattern. The baião rhythm is integral to the genres of forró, repente and coco (or embolada). It is mostly associated with the state of Pernambuco. Baião was popularized via radio in the 1940s, reaching peak popularity in the 1950s.
Silvana Mangano ~ Anna
45 RPM record, side 1
photo by Styrous®
Anna has been covered by many artists: Amália Rodrigues, Edmundo Ros, Abbe Lane with Tito Puente, Connie Francis and Chet Atkins. My favorite version is by Pink Martini.
My friend, Eva, who lives in Barcelona told me about the group. When
they came to Oakland in mid-2000, they played at the Paramont Theatre and I went to see them. I fell totally in awe of them. The lead
singer, China Forbes is a knock out on stage, so, I've added a link to a
live performance in addition to the studio version. After I saw them in performance, I bought all their albums.
Silvana Mangano ~ Anna
45 RPM record label, side 1
photo by Styrous®
Mangano actually lip-synced to the song; the vocal was sung by Flo Sandon's. The English version of the film used dialogue by Lydia Simoneschi, who also dubbed Mangano in Bitter Rice, Outlaw Girl, Mambo and Ulysses. Neither are credited in the film nor on this recording. Another wonderful song in the film, Non Dimenticar, became a huge success and a Standard; it is "side b" of this record with the title, I Loved You.
Silvana Mangano ~ I Loved You (Non Dimenticar)
Silvana Mangano ~ I Loved You
45 RPM record w/sleeve, side 2
photo by Styrous®
The film is about a sinner who becomes a nun; Raf Vallone as Andrea, the rich man who loves her; and Vittorio Gassman as Vittorio, the wicked waiter who sets Anna on a dangerous path.
Mangano's real sister, Patrizia Mangano, portrays Anna's sister in the film. Sophia Loren has a small uncredited role as a nightclub assistant. Future film directors Franco Brusati and Dino Risi cowrote the script.
Mangano's real sister, Patrizia Mangano, portrays Anna's sister in the film. Sophia Loren has a small uncredited role as a nightclub assistant. Future film directors Franco Brusati and Dino Risi cowrote the script.
Silvana Mangano ~ I Loved You (Non Dimenticar)
45 RPM record, side 2
photo by Styrous®
Mangano appeared in many films (link below); my two favorites are Death in Venice (Morte a Venezia) with an amazing performance by Dirk Bogarde and directed by Luchino Visconti in 1971 and as Reverend Mother Ramallo in Dune which was directed by David Lynch in 1984.
Following surgery that left her in a coma, Silvana Mangano died of lung cancer in Madrid, Spain, on December 16, 1989; she was 59 years old.
Tracklist:
Side 1:
A Anna (El N. Zumbon), Written By Giordano-Vatro
Side 2:
B I Loved You (T'ho Voluto Bene), Written By Galdieri-Redi
Companies, etc.
Record Company – Loew's Incorporated
Notes:
From I.F.E. film "Anna"
As introduced by Silvana Mangano
From the Soundtrack of the Film "Anna"
Barcode and Other Identifiers
Matrix / Runout (Label Side A): 53-XY-117
Matrix / Runout (Label Side B): 53-XY-118
Matrix / Runout (A-Side Runout Etching): C 53 XY 117
Matrix / Runout (B-Side Runout Etching): R 53 XY 118
Silvana Mangano – Anna / I Loved You
Label: MGM Records – K11457
Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1953
Genre: Latin, Pop, Folk, World, & Country, Stage & Screen:
Side 1:
A Anna (El N. Zumbon), Written By Giordano-Vatro
Side 2:
B I Loved You (T'ho Voluto Bene), Written By Galdieri-Redi
Companies, etc.
Record Company – Loew's Incorporated
Notes:
From I.F.E. film "Anna"
As introduced by Silvana Mangano
From the Soundtrack of the Film "Anna"
Barcode and Other Identifiers
Matrix / Runout (Label Side A): 53-XY-117
Matrix / Runout (Label Side B): 53-XY-118
Matrix / Runout (A-Side Runout Etching): C 53 XY 117
Matrix / Runout (B-Side Runout Etching): R 53 XY 118
Silvana Mangano – Anna / I Loved You
Label: MGM Records – K11457
Format: Vinyl, 7", 45 RPM, Single
Country: US
Released: 1953
Genre: Latin, Pop, Folk, World, & Country, Stage & Screen:
Viewfinder links:
Net links:
Silver Scenes ~ review
YouTube links:
Silvana Mangano ~
Anna
Anna (film)
Non Dimenticar (I Loved You)
Pink Martini ~
Anna
Anna (Live performance video)
Pérez Prado ~ Ana (El Negro Zumbón)
Sylvana Mangano Interview (1960) (in French)
Silvana Mangano Italian Classic Star Actress
