Carlo Gualandri

Biography

Carlo Gualandri was born in Rome. His father was a senior official of the Customs of Rome, the mother, the daughter of the Neapolitan painter De Simone, was a pianist. He debuted as a film actor in 1916 with the film 'Red Whirlwind' ("Turbine Rosso") and his intense activity lasts until 1931 when he decided to retire from the stage to devote himself to the family. In 1927 he had married, after a long engagement, Clara Fagnini and in 1929 their son Emanuele was born. Who had the opportunity to knew him at that time remember the great presence of mind, ready wit, savoir faire with women and great elegance. He had a penchant for motors; when he was just 16 years old, to avoid having his motorcycle requisitioned by the army, he volunteered in World War I as an infantry courier and in the '20s, at a time when few people owned a car in Italy, he could show off a Chrysler convertible that he was able to buy from an American actor. Like her sister, Pina Gualandri, an opera singer, he had inherited from his mother a passion for music; in addition to playing the violin, he enjoyed singing opera and his forte was 'L'Improvviso' from "Andrea Chenier".