Director Giorgio Bianchi started out as an actor during the silent era, starring in over two dozen films from 1929 to 1933. He then spent a number of years working as an assistant director, mostly in collaboration with Amleto Palermi, before going on to become a prolific director of comedies throughout the 1950s and 60s.

Cronaca Nera is notable for being one of the earliest examples of an Italian crime film from the sound era. Clearly modelled on American film noirs which were very popular in Italy at the time. Gino Cervi plays Natale Macchia, a mob boss from the north who has been forced into hiding in Rome while the police carry out a nationwide manhunt.

“Vicenda poliziesca priva di inventiva e di mordente. Brutta ed incolore l’interpretazione”. (“Segnalazioni Cinematografiche”, vol. XXI, 1947)

Availability

16mm telecine – English (fan) Subtitles