Alida Valli Collection
Both Benito Mussolini and David O. Selznick called Alida Valli the most beautiful woman in the world, but her Hollywood stardom proved fleeting. Born Baroness Alida Maria Laura Altenberger von Marckenstein-Frauenberg in 1918, she was already part of the Italian nobility when she came to America. Her journey from Italy's "White Telephone" cinema to working with Alfred Hitchcock and Orson Welles is a fascinating tale of talent, ambition, and the unpredictable nature of fame. This collection of four vintage radio appearances, totaling over three hours, captures the warmth and presence of an actress who commanded the airwaves during her peak years.
Collection Highlights
- Includes two episodes of the "Lux Radio Theatre" adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock's Spellbound (recorded March 8, 1948) and The Paradine Case (May 9, 1949), both co-starring Joseph Cotten. Valli's performance in The Paradine Case was her first major American film, and the Lux version preserves her nuanced portrayal for radio.
- Features "Lux Radio Theatre" production of The Miracle of Bells (May 31, 1948), with Fred MacMurray and Frank Sinatra, showcasing Valli's ability to shine alongside top Hollywood leading men.
- Includes a rare appearance on The Hedda Hopper Show (January 14, 1951), where Valli mingles with Dean Jagger and offers a candid glimpse into Hollywood's gossip factory during her tenure under Selznick's demanding contract.
- Highlights the actress's transition from Italian cinema—where she was forced into hiding after refusing to appear in a Fascist propaganda film—to her acclaimed role in The Third Man (1949), a performance that remains a high point of her career despite Selznick's studio financial troubles.
Track Listing
Show all 8 tracks (3 hours, 27 min)
- Hedda Hopper Show 510114 Dean Jagger
- Lux 480308 Spellbound (Joseph Cotten, Valle, Gerald Mohr)
- Lux 480531 Miracle of Bells (Fred MacMurray, Frank Sinatra)
- Lux 490509 Paradine Case (Joseph Cotten Valli Louis Jourdan)
- Hedda Hopper Show 510114 Dean Jagger
- Lux 480308 Spellbound (Joseph Cotten, Valle, Gerald Mohr)
- Lux 480531 Miracle of Bells (Fred MacMurray, Frank Sinatra)
- Lux 490509 Paradine Case (Joseph Cotten Valli Louis Jourdan)
