The Black Orchid

1959 Drama

The title is Black Orchid, but the leading lady is a rose--florist Rose Bianco, played by Sophia Loren. Newly widowed, Rose holds herself responsible for the death of her husband, a well-known gangster. Anthony Quinn plays a widower who falls in love with Rose, much to the dismay of his daughter (Ina Balin), who fears that Quinn will be destroyed as thoroughly as Rose's first husband. All ends happily after Rose and her new beau align to find her unhappy runaway son (Jimmy Baird). Black Orchid tries too hard to be a "slice of life;" perhaps it might have fared better with a cast of unknowns, but then who'd go to see it?

Director: Martin Ritt

Starring: Sophia Loren,Anthony Quinn, Jimmie Baird, Ina Balin, Mark Richman

Reviews

No reviews

Awards

  • Sophia Loren

    David di Donatello Awards (1959)

  • Best Actress

    Venice Film Festival (1958)