Viva il cinema! is a 1952 Italian comedy film directed by Giorgio Baldaccini and Enzo Trapani. The film stars Delia Scala, Fiorenzo Fiorentini, and Virgilio Riento, with narration by Alberto Sordi. The story follows Tonino, a shy and stuttering young clerk engaged to his neighbor Palmina, who shares his passion for cinema. Tonino has written an original script that he dreams of turning into a film, and the plot follows his attempts to get it produced with the help of Gambalesta, a faded silent film star.
Cast highlights include Fiorenzo Fiorentini as Tonino, Delia Scala as Palmina, Virgilio Riento as Gambalesta, and appearances by Nino Manfredi, Lois Maxwell, Marisa Merlini, Silvana Pampanini, and Rossana Podestà.
Additional usage: The phrase "Viva il Cinema!" (Italian for "Long live cinema!") is also used as the name of a contemporary cultural initiative in Rome, organized by Zètema Progetto Cultura and Fondazione Cinema per Roma, which brings open-air cinema screenings to the suburbs of the city. Additionally, "Viva il Cinema! Journées du film italien de Tours" is an annual Italian film festival held in Tours, France, dedicated to both contemporary and classic Italian cinema.
