03 Nov A Bell for Adano
(1945) The squadron of Major Joppolo moves into Adano, a small village in Sicily, right after the Fascists moved out. The townspeople are hungry and demoralized, and he is determined to help them. Their biggest problems is that the Fascists stole their church bell to melt down for ammunition. It was the center of their lives, and they want nothing more than to have a bell.
The film is based on the 1945 Pulitzer prize winning novel A Bell for Adano by John Hersey, a war correspondent who accompanied troops into Sicily.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Italian flavor. Featured were two character actors I am always happy to see –William Bendix and Harry Morgan.
Top billing went to the beautiful Gene Tierney. But she was a blonde! I guess the studio wanted to give her a role but I don’t think this one fit her. It’s the only time she was ever seen as a blonde, by the way. I’m probably not the only one who didn’t like it.
Major Joppolo was played by John Hodiak, an actor who was in many films despite the fact that he died of a heart attack at the age of 41. High blood pressure had prevented him from serving in the army during World War II and most likely contributed to his early death.
A Bell for Adano at amazon.com
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