Wife for a Night (1952) in Color — Starring Gina Lollobrigida & Gino Cervi

Wife for a Night (1952) — Buy This Classic in Color

Discover Wife for a Night, the 1952 romantic comedy directed by Mario Camerini and starring Gina Lollobrigida, now available as a professionally colorized version. A poor musician hires a courtesan to pose as his wife so he can ‘give’ her to a wealthy count in return for patronage. This romantic comedy combines mistaken identity with social satire as a desperate artist learns that love and dignity cannot be bought or sold. Own this classic movie in color as a DRM-free MP4 digital download for just €15.00.

Plot Summary

A poor musician hires a courtesan to pose as his wife so he can ‘give’ her to a wealthy count in return for patronage. Ottavio, a struggling composer and musician, dreams of achieving success and recognition for his art. However, his poverty prevents him from producing his music properly and gaining the patronage that could launch his career. When he learns that a wealthy count is willing to support talented artists but expects to be entertained by beautiful women, Ottavio devises a desperate scheme.

He hires a beautiful courtesan named Carmelita to pretend to be his wife. Ottavio plans to introduce Carmelita to the count and effectively ‘give’ her to him for the evening in exchange for the count’s financial support. Carmelita, a woman of the streets but with her own sense of honor, agrees to the arrangement because she needs the money. The plan seems simple: Carmelita charms the count, Ottavio gets his patronage, and everyone gets what they want.

However, complications arise when Ottavio begins to develop real feelings for Carmelita. He is struck by her beauty, intelligence, and the vulnerability she tries to hide beneath her worldly exterior. The pretense of their marriage starts to feel disturbingly real to him, and the idea of ‘giving’ her to the count becomes increasingly repugnant. Meanwhile, the count proves to be more perceptive than Ottavio anticipated, and Carmelita discovers that she wants more from life than temporary arrangements and paid companionship.

The situation becomes a tangle of misunderstandings, jealousies, and moral awakenings. Ottavio must confront what he is willing to sacrifice for success and whether his artistic ambitions justify degrading another person. Carmelita must decide whether to accept the security that the count offers or risk everything for a chance at genuine love with a poor musician. The film builds to a romantic climax where true feelings are revealed, and the characters learn that dignity and love cannot be traded like commodities.

Cast & Crew

Director: Mario Camerini

Stars: Gina Lollobrigida, Gino Cervi, Nadia Gray, Armando Francioli, Alda Mangini

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

Wife for a Night was originally filmed in black and white, with cinematography that captured the elegance of Italian high society and the intimate drama of the artist’s garret. This professionally colorized restoration enhances every scene with frame-by-frame precision, from the lavish count’s palace to the humble rooms where Ottavio composes his music. The colorized version reveals new visual richness in the film’s settings, where the period-accurate 1950s Italian clothing, opulent interiors, and romantic locations gain authenticity that transports viewers to post-war Italy. Gina Lollobrigida’s legendary screen presence gains additional dimension in color, her performance conveying both the allure of a courtesan and the dignity of a woman seeking true love. Now also available in colour.

Buy Wife for a Night in color today for just €15.00. Your DRM-free MP4 download is available for instant access.

Historical Significance

Released in 1952, Wife for a Night represents the post-war Italian cinema and the emergence of Gina Lollobrigida as one of the most glamorous stars of European cinema. Known as ‘La Lollo’ and celebrated for her beauty and talent, Lollobrigida became an international icon in the 1950s. The film showcases her ability to combine sensuality with emotional depth, establishing her as a major screen presence.

The film’s premise of a poor artist attempting to trade a woman’s favors for patronage reflects the harsh economic realities of post-war Italy, where artists and intellectuals struggled to find support for their work. However, the story ultimately critiques such arrangements, suggesting that love and art must be freed from financial calculation and exploitation. This message resonated with audiences who were rebuilding their lives and values after the upheavals of war.

Italian cinema of this period often explored themes of social class, love, and moral compromise with a blend of comedy and drama. Wife for a Night continues this tradition, using the romantic comedy format to examine serious questions about dignity, desire, and the true cost of ambition. Through modern colorization, this Italian romantic comedy reaches new audiences who can appreciate Gina Lollobrigida’s performance, its post-war Italian setting, and its place in the history of European cinema. Now also available en couleur.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 / MKV digital download
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Professionally colorized from original black and white
• Audio: Italian original mono
• Runtime: 90 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes — watch on any device
• Instant download: Available immediately after purchase
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Who stars in Wife for a Night?
A: Gina Lollobrigida stars as Carmelita, with supporting performances by Gino Cervi, Nadia Gray, Armando Francioli, and Alda Mangini.

Q: Is Wife for a Night an Italian film?
A: Yes, the film is an Italian romantic comedy directed by Mario Camerini.

Q: What is the plot of Wife for a Night?
A: A poor musician hires a courtesan to pose as his wife so he can exchange her company for a wealthy count’s patronage, but genuine feelings complicate the scheme.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as MP4 and MKV files that play on virtually any device.

Q: Is there DRM on the file?
A: No. The download is completely DRM-free so you can watch it on any device without restrictions.

Q: How quickly can I watch after purchase?
A: Your download link is available instantly after payment, so you can start watching within minutes.

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