Marcello Aliprandi

Marcello Aliprandi (2 January 1934 – 26 August 1997) was an Italian film director. In addition to his work in television and the theater, he directed seven feature films, including Smiling Maniacs and Vatican Conspiracy (1982).

Early life Aliprandi was born in Rome to an Italian father and an Armenian mother.

Career In the mid-1950s, Aliprandi left university to enroll at the Silvio D'Amico art academy. After graduating, he became an assistant to Luchino Visconti, working with him both in the theater and as assistant director for the 1963 film The Leopard. Later during the 1960s, Aliprandi worked mainly in theater and as a member of the Compagnia dei giovani (Company of Young People), directing various plays and operas. He returned to film in 1968 as an assistant director for Alberto Lattuada's Fraulein Doktor.

The first feature film directed by Aliprandi was the 1970 science-fiction film La ragazza di latta (The Tin Girl), for which he also co-wrote the screenplay. Aliprandi received good critical reviews for La ragazza, as well as for his next two films—1974's Corruzione al palazzo di giustizia (Corruption at the Palace of Justice, released in the United States as Smiling Maniacs) and 1976's Un sussurro nel buio (A Whisper in the Dark). But only one of the three, Smiling Maniacs, was a commercial success. The only feature film that Aliprandi made during this period was 1982's Morte in Vaticano (Death in the Vatican). As with his previous feature film, it was a commercial failure. A Whisper in the Dark (Un sussurro nel buio, 1976), a psychological thriller starring John Phillip Law and Joseph Cotten. Skin Deep (1979), a comedy about nudism based on Ugo Liberatore's screenplay. It starred Ilona Staller. Unknown Soldier (1995), a fantasy drama about World War II.

Five of these films had their musical scores written by Pino Donaggio. The two that did not were the very first (The Tin Girl) and 1992's Crimson Dawn.

Television NOTE: This listing is incomplete. Quasi Davvero (1978) Hello Hollywood, qui Broadway! (1981), a musical starring Bob Fosse La mano indemoniata (The Possessed Hand) (1981), a fantasy by Massimo Bontempelli featuring Cochi Ponzoni The Glass Menagerie (1983) Quando ancora non c'erano i Beatles (Even When There Weren't the Beatles) (1988), a musical miniseries featuring Lucrezia Lante della Rovere and Anita Ekberg. Aliprandi co-wrote the screenplay.

Stage NOTE: This listing is incomplete. Caro Bugiardo (Dear Liar) (1962), four performances staged at the Teatro La Fenice in Venice. Alliprandi was an assistant director. My Fair Lady (1964), single performance staged at the Teatro La Fenice. Alliprandi was a co-director.