Italian film legend Gina Lollobrigida dies at age 95

I’m not sure of the cause of death, but I’m going to guess that she wasn’t killed trying to realize her dream of becoming an MMA champion. Kidding aside, she ran for office last year at an age when most people don’t think it’s worthwhile to start a long-playing record.

As usual, Variety did a good job on the obit.

David Letterman proposes to her:



As far as nudity goes – almost none. She was born too soon. The peak of her career was in Hollywood’s non-nude years (1935-62). She was already 40 in 1967, when nudity was becoming more commonplace in films.

She appeared in a see-thru in That Splendid November (1969)



And also appeared in the same outfit for a publicity still


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Director Rene Clair did sneak in a very brief peek at the top half of Gina’s butt in Les Belles de Nuit (1952) .

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(With the old fashioned-techniques on display, and a little bit of nudity, it’s hard to believe that’s a 1952 film. If I had just seen that frame without the context, I would have guessed no later than 1934, maybe even silent era.)

4 thoughts on “Italian film legend Gina Lollobrigida dies at age 95

  1. Probably the closest she got to a topless scene was in the film That Splendid November in a wet camisole. She’s clearly wearing some flesh colored underwear underneath but there is still some slight see thru. This was probably around 1969 so she could’ve done nudity she just did want to. Oh well.

  2. Reading an obituary yesterday I found out that the Lollo Blondo Baby Lettuce
    was named after Gina.
    It’s a super frilly green leaf lettuce from Italy. Popular with hyrdroponic growers. Apparently named after the Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida; because of her wearing frilly knickers. Grown more for its looks than its substance and taste. There is also a red version called Lollo Rosso.

  3. Interesting last comment. Rene Clair did start directing in the silent era and did his greatest work in the early sound era, so maybe it’s understandable his technique still felt of those periods. That irising definitely dates the shot. I’m sure the screen cap quality doesn’t help the frame look more of its time.

    1. Still a good catch on the tub buns – did Loren get nude in the 50’s too or is that famous topless shot just a behind the scenes?

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