Edgar Neville
Directing
Biography
Edgar Neville Romrée, Count of Berlanga de Duero (1899-1967) was a Spanish diplomat, playwright, and film director. He is considered one of the best directors of post-war Spain. Neville's life could be regarded as eventful. After a short participation in the Rif War as a hussar, Neville entered the artistic world, making friends with figures such as José López Rubio, Luis Buñuel, Federico García Lorca, Manuel de Falla, and Salvador Dalí. At the same time, in 1922 he became a diplomat, thanks to which he travelled the world until he settled in Los Angeles. There he met Charles Chaplin, who introduced him to the industry as a writer. In the 1930s, he returned to Spain and became romantically involved with Conchita Montes, with whom he would make most of his films. However, the Civil War broke out and Neville served the Republic as a diplomat in London while also working as a spy for the rebel side. Once discovered, he fled until he ended up in the rebel zone, where he carried out propaganda services. Once the war was over, and after a period in Italy, he settled in Marbella, recording excellent films and plays in all genres, the most outstanding examples being Life on a Thread (1945), The Tower of the Seven Hunchbacks (1944), The Crime of Bordadores' Street (1946), the acclaimed documentary Flamenco (1952), and the successful play The Dance (1952), then made into a film. Neville's talent has often gone unrecognised both because of his alleged political views and the fact that much of his oeuvre has been considered lost for decades. However, thanks to the efforts of Filmoteca Española, it has been possible to recover many of his films and discover the originality behind this interesting figure.
Known For
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Alta comedia
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La engañadora
Life events around a city street and its residents are told along the years while time goes by, wars break out and end and life evolves.
Mi calle
Javier Navarro, a Falangist, is ordered to infiltrate Republican Madrid to deliver a message to a member of the Fifth Column.
Carmen and the Reds
The finding of a wallet with a lot of money is the common theme of four stories, featuring a shoeshine from Seville, a clerk from Salamanca, a bullfighter from Cuenca and a newspapers seller from Paris.
The Irony of Money
When young Andrea arrives in Barcelona to begin her university studies, she stays at her aunt Angustias' house, where she lives with several relatives with whom she has constant arguments.
Nothing
No description available.
Una mujer bajo la lluvia
In Madrid, Spain, at the end of the 19th century, the young and reckless Basilio seems to be the only person who perceives the spectral presence of Professor Robinsón de Mantua, who begs him to take care of his niece Inés, because she is in grave danger.
La torre de los siete jorobados
Pedro and Julian, two friends entomologists are in love the same woman, Adela, who decides to marry Peter. Julian attends the marriage, but acts against women as her own husband. The passion that unites the two friends, entomology, leads them to conclude a treaty. The woman, however, is not comfortable with the life she has lived and want to abandon them. Discovered that she suffers from the disease, makes men willing to please her in everything, without her knowing the reason for his change of attitude.
El baile
Title changed to "Flamenco" when it was first released in the USA in 1954, this is a program of Spanish songs and dances with the emphasis on "flamenco" or gypsy contributions. The USA version has an English narrative written by Walter Terry, the dance critic of the "New York Herald Tribune" newspaper. Heading the cast are Antonio (I), Pilar Lopez and Maria Luz, three of Spain's foremost dancers of the time, accompanied by members of the Ballet Espanol. Filmed in Cinefotocolor in which orange and blue dominated, a combination that should appeal to the fans of Auburn University athletic teams. Distributed in the USA by Martin J. Lewis.
Flamenco
After her husband's sudden death, a young widow leaves her small town to start anew in the big city. On the train, she meets a fortune teller who will fill her in about the life she could've led had she never met her late husband.
La vida en un hilo
Madrid, late 19th century. A wealthy woman is found murdered in her home and her maid seems to be the main suspect; but her statement further entangles the case.
The Crime of Bordadores Street
Rogelia, the orphan of an Asturian miner who died in a work-related accident, marries Máximo, a man as robust as jealous, drunk and violent. But when her husband is jailed, the woman will take advantage to escape with the doctor of the village so as to see the world and perhaps to form a family.
The Sin of Rogelia Sánchez
An inveterate sailor renounces love because of his passion for the sea. It is the Spanish-language version of Way for a Sailor (Wood, 1930).
Love in Every Port
A parody of the current affairs news format built upon autonomous pieces.
Fake News
After suffering a family tragedy, Carmen leaves Spain and emigrates to Paris, where she will make new friends among some of the most peculiar characters who inhabit the bohemian neighborhoods of the city. (Partially lost film.)
Café de París
Barcelona, 1860. Mr. Esteve, owner of a haberdashery and proud of his son, attends the christening of his grandson who, years later, determined to become a renowned artist, seems unwilling to continue the tradition and take over the family business. (Only badly preserved and severely mutilated copies of this film survive, just 69 out of a total of 108 minutes.)
El señor Esteve
A Dutch sailing ship finds the wreckage of a Spanish mail ship, which has collided with an iceberg. Inside, the bodies of a man and a woman are found embraced.
Correo de Indias
A miller falls in love with the wife of a magistrate who, in turn, courts the miller's wife. (Lost film.)
It Happened in Spain
In Madrid, during a popular festival, Don Paco, the owner of a freak show called The Palace of Wonders, has to deal with the demands of Levinsky, a sinister character who apparently has something to hide…