Guglielmo Giannini : Uomo di Spettacolo

Guglielmo Giannini (1891-1960) was an Italian journalist, playwright, screenwriter, theater director, film director and politician. He became known as a young playwright in the 1920s, establishing himself as an important figure of Italian theater in the 1930s and 1940s. He was noted for his contribution to the development of the noir, thriller and romantic comedy genres. Founder and director of the film magazine "Kines", Giannini was also active in the Italian silent film industry, providing the translation for the national audience of titles and captions of foreign films. In the 1930s and 1940s some of his most famous theatrical works were adapted for the big screen, such as Anonima Fratelli Roylott, directed by Raffaello Matarazzo in 1936, and Grattacieli (directed by Guglielmo Giannini in 1943). This collection provides an examination of Giannini’s theatrical and cinematic career, paying particular attention to his popularity and to his capacity to appeal to a large, mass audience (all traits that would stand him well when he sought election and formed part of Italy’s first post-War government in 1946). Chapters are based on materials collected in the Giannini archive, built at Deakin and hosted by the University.