“Marriage Italian Style” Screening Set for Today at Historic Garibaldi-Meucci Museum

On Sunday, January 15 at 1 p.m., the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum's Terza Domenica Heritage Series will continue with the screening of "Marriage Italian Style." This 1964 Vittoria DeSica film, starring Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and garnered Loren her second nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

The film tells the story of a successful yet cynical businessman who meets a naïve country girl one night in a brothel during World War II. Their on-again, off-again relationship continues for decades. To prevent him from marrying a younger woman, she feigns illness and asks him to marry her "on her deathbed." She survives, and reveals to him the reason for her charade-one of her three sons is his, but she won't tell him which one.

Garibaldi-Meucci Museum Board member and Italian language instructor Rose Frisari will provide background for the film, and lead a discussion after the screening. The film will be shown in Italian with English subtitles. Admission of $10, $5 for members, includes a light reception.

For more information, visit www.garibaldimeuccimuseum.org or call 718-442-1608. The historic Italian landmark on Staten Island, the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum is owned and administered by the Order Sons of Italy in America.

The Garibaldi-Meucci Museum was the home of Antonio Meucci, the true inventor of the telephone, and a refuge to Giuseppe Garibaldi, the legendary hero who championed the unification of Italy. For over 50 years the museum has fulfilled its mission to preserve the legacies of these great men, and to promote understanding of the Italian-American heritage through cultural, artistic and educational programs and classes.

Regular museum hours are 1 p.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday. Admission is $5 per person, members and children under 10 are free. Call ahead for groups of 10 or more. The first floor of the museum is wheelchair accessible, but the restroom is on the second floor. At press time, program funding has been provided through the Order Sons of Italy in America; by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council; the Office of the Staten Island Borough President, Richmond County Savings Foundation; Northfield Bank Foundation, and by grants allocated by New York State Senator Diane Savino and New York City Council members Vincent Ignizio and James Oddo.

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