It gets more way out - Calvert faints a lot, Roc wonders what's wrong and gets engaged to a skinny, camp looking Britisher (Alan Haines - I know there was a war on but couldn't they get someone more virile than this guy?).
It turns out that at certain times Calvert changes identity, runs off to the hills and lives as a mistress to a jewel thief (Stewart Granger). Just like The Wicked Lady really only she doesn't know she does it - this is a Gainsborough melodrama movie.
This really should have taken place in the 19th century - it's weird to think that it's set in around 1937 Italy. Everyone acts very British - check out pukka John Stuart as wine merchant "Giuseppe".
Stewart Granger doesn't appear until 45 minutes in and it's a relief to see an actor who looks vaguely tough. This movie is remarkable for the number of wet men - Haines, Stuart, plus Peter Grenville (gigolo) and Peter Murray Hill (artist friend of Kent's). I'm surprised they didn't have someone virile who was also in love with Calvert - maybe they just couldn't find someone.
Indeed the guts of the plot is odd - you'd think it would be about Calvert's husband tracking her down but that job is done by a group of people - Kent, Grenville, Haines, Hill and his wife Dulcie Grey. So it's kind of an ensemble piece without any lead - I think they would have been better having some dashing actor play Calvert's husband, a genuine sexual threat.
Indeed the guts of the plot is odd - you'd think it would be about Calvert's husband tracking her down but that job is done by a group of people - Kent, Grenville, Haines, Hill and his wife Dulcie Grey. So it's kind of an ensemble piece without any lead - I think they would have been better having some dashing actor play Calvert's husband, a genuine sexual threat.
Quite racy - Granger and Calvert have a post coital scene in bed, she lying on top of him while he smokes a cigarette - then he spins on top of her. Granger also sings a song on a lute or something.
The story calms down after a while and turns more into a conventional "where has Calvert gone" story - then perks up with delirious finale that invokes Glenville slipping Kent a roofie and trying to rape her during carnival, then Calvert coming along and stabbing Glenville, then him stabbing her, and her dying just as she recognises her daughter, but then recovering enough to go home, and dying in bed, and a priest reading last rites, and Granger about to kill her husband until he hears that he's her husband and deciding not to do it - and endings with a shot of a cross on Calvert's chest. The plot is as insane as her character.
The story calms down after a while and turns more into a conventional "where has Calvert gone" story - then perks up with delirious finale that invokes Glenville slipping Kent a roofie and trying to rape her during carnival, then Calvert coming along and stabbing Glenville, then him stabbing her, and her dying just as she recognises her daughter, but then recovering enough to go home, and dying in bed, and a priest reading last rites, and Granger about to kill her husband until he hears that he's her husband and deciding not to do it - and endings with a shot of a cross on Calvert's chest. The plot is as insane as her character.
Calvert's part was probably better played by Margaret Lockwood, but I admit it's fun seeing Calvert in such a way out role, smoking cigarettes and wearing gypsy garb. Some garish decor, including a carnival scene, and Jean Kent acting up a storm as the horny girl who wants Granger.
The nicest people are British raised (Kent) or British (her fiancee, and two artist friends), or seem very British (Calvert's husband) - the Italian characters are gigolos (Glenville), sluts (Kent) or hot blooded thieves (Granger).
Incredible, mad fun.
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