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candid observations come from
firsthand experience
his wife will testify
to that.
by Peer
Ah, women! Now there's a subject you
don't talk about without doing a considerable
amount of research, says Europe's No. 1 screen
lover, Rossano Brazzi.
And before you can arch an eyebrow, he adds,
"Academic research, of course."
In the background, his wife of 17 years, Lidia,
smiles patiently like a woman listening to a pre
cocious child.
"You're never too experienced to learn about
women, either," Brazzi continues. "For example,
what I learned on that auto trip I just made across
the country would surprise you!"
But he adds hastily, "I made the trip with my
wife, you know."
Brazzi wanted to learn more about Americans
particularly the women so he and Lidia motored
from New York to Los Angeles, meeting folks of
every sort along the way. "Yes, I discovered much
about your women," Brazzi recalls. "My wife is
very broad-minded, you see. She lete me look all
I want, and she never says a word."
TW's a disappointing start, all right, but as you
begin to know Brazzi better Oyou accept his
"academic" observations on women as more valid
than the field surveys conducted by some Holly
wood Lotharios.
And why not? In 17 years, Brazzi's charms ob
viously have not dimmed in the estimation of his
wife. Her ample proportions are matched by her
abundant devotion to Rossano and her happiness.
Is there a better recommendation for an expert on
women than his wife?
Brazzi's sex appeal got off to(Ji bad start in
Hollywood. That was in 1949 when he was brought
here from Italy and promised a big romantic build
up. Instead, he wound up playing the aging Pro
fessor Behr in a remake of "Little Women."
His Latin and masculine pride injured, Brazzi
stormed back to Rome. But American
womanhood was not to be denied. Sub
sequent pictures skyrocketed his fan mail
(it now averages 65,000 letters a month in
six languages) and led to top romantic
roles, including his latest, Universal-International's
"Interlude" with June Allyson.
In the period when Brazzi was cooling
off and American women warming up,
Rossano made a remark about U.S. girls
which he has since regretted: "Women are
the same everywhere. You can't separate
them by continents."
Since his safari through the U.S. study
ing the natives at close hand, Rossano
has changed his mind. "Before, I knew
only professional women," he explains.
"They toere all the same. Ah, but wives
and mothers, they are different from con
tinent to continent!"
For one thing, American wives do not confine
their careers to the kitchen as Italians do. "Amer
ican women," says Brazzi, "work eight hours a
day, come home, and cpcn a package of frozen
food . . ." He pauses as if expecting an attack of
indigestion.
"Not that I'm saying American women can't
cook," he hastens to add. "I love your hot dogs,
but . . . well, let's say I'm used to Italian cuisine.
On the other hand, your women are neater ant
better organized. It's strange, though, that with
all their gadgets and do-it-yourself items, they're
quite impractical compared with Italians."
When it comes to clothing, Brazzi is a typical
husband. He likes the way American women dress
because "it is beautiful and doesn't cost a fortune
like in Europe."
Unlike many Europeans, Brazzi lauds American
women for being intellectual, and he vehemently
June Allyson, Brazzi's cottar in "Interlude," it a typical
American woman, he reports. "So impractical." Is that bad 7
jienics that they are "bossy." He also contradicts
the continental idea that European women are
more temperamental than Americans.
"I think the opposite is true," he says, eyes
lighting up. "And being Italian, I like it!" Then
his expressive face darkens. "If only American
women weren't so jealous! They should learn the
joys of broad-mindedness."
Brazzi is as much a diplomat as a student of
women. He concludes his observations by saying,
"But Italian or American, all women are wonder
ful. I love them all! Of coiry, there is none I love
more than my wife!"
He means it, too. Which makes you wonder if it
wouldn't be wiser to interview the woman who has
held the love of a matinee idol for 17 years. But
Mrs. Brazzi, like women the world over, has more
sense than to discuss the opposite sex in gener
alities. "That's for you men," she says.
Family Wrekly, Auuuit 25. 1957
17