Bicycle Thieves (1948)
Directed by Vittorio De Sica
Unemployed Antonio is elated when he finally finds work hanging posters around war-torn Rome. However on his first day, his bicycle—essential to his work—gets stolen. His job is doomed unless he can find the thief. With the help of his son, Antonio combs the city, becoming desperate for justice.
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The emotional heart of the film is Maggiorani’s relationship with his son, played by Enzo Staiola, a bond that recalls such classic cinematic father-son pairings as Charlie Chaplin and Jackie Coogan in “The Kid” and Roberto Benigni and Giorgio Cantarini in “Life Is Beautiful.”
David O. Selznick was so impressed with De Sica's earlier "Shoeshine" that he offered to produce "The Bicycle Thief"--provided Cary Grant star, surely not one of the legendary Hollywood producer's most inspired casting ideas, especially since Grant's attempt to go against type several years earlier in "None but the Lonely Heart" was not a success with the public.
One of them is Antonio Ricci (Lamberto Maggiorani), a slim, handsome man who will be hired to paste up posters advertising Rita Hayworth in "Gilda" all over the city--provided he has a bicycle.
The story begins as Antonio gets his first job in some time, but the job -- pasting up Hollywood movie posters (for Rita Hayworth in Gilda , creating a huge clash between fantasy and reality) -- requires a bicycle.
Neorealist films -- others include "Open City," "Shoeshine," "Paisan" and "Umberto D" -- were shot on real locations with available light, used nonprofessional actors and often had socially conscious themes.
David O. Selznick was so impressed with De Sica's earlier "Shoeshine" that he offered to produce "The Bicycle Thief"--provided Cary Grant star, surely not one of the legendary Hollywood producer's most inspired casting ideas, especially since Grant's attempt to go against type several years earlier in "None but the Lonely Heart" was not a success with the public.
Pauline Kael remembers going to see De Sica's first great film, "Shoeshine," in 1947, just after a lovers' quarrel that had left her in a state of despair: "I came out of the theater, tears streaming, and overheard the petulant voice of a college girl complaining to her boyfriend, 'Well I don't see what was so special about that movie.'
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Because De Sica's previous film, "Shoeshine," had had some success, he was able to pitch this story to "Gone With the Wind" producer David O. Selznick, who apparently suggested Cary Grant for the lead.