The Italian is a 1915 American silent film feature which tells the story of an Italian gondolier who comes to the United States to make his fortune but instead winds up working as a shoe shiner and experiencing tragedy while living with his wife and child in a tenement on New York’s Lower East Side. The film stars stage actor George Beban in the title role as the Italian immigrant, Pietro “Beppo” Donnetti. In 1991, this film was deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the United States Library of Congress and selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.
Pietro “Beppo” Donnetti is a poor, but happy gondolier in Venice, Italy. Beppo falls in love with Annette Ancello, but her father, Trudo, wants her to marry another suitor, one who is a successful businessman. If Beppo can prove himself within a year, Trudo agrees to allow him to marry Annette.
Beppo sails for America to make his fortune, making a living working as a shoeshiner on a street corner in New York City. He borrows money from an Irish ward boss, Bill Corrigan, and sends for Annette to join him. In exchange, Beppo agrees to help Corrigan’s candidate win the Italian vote in the ward.
Doors and bar open at 11am. Drinks, coffee and tea available. Movie screens at 12 noon. $15 adults & free for kids 13 and under.
Film duration 78 minutes.