The Dance of Time

The Dance of Time or more literally The Dance of the Clock Hands (Italian: La danza delle lancette) is a 1936 Italian sports comedy film directed by Mario Baffico and starring Marcello Spada, Ugo Ceseri and Luigi Almirante.^[1] It was one of only three films which the leading lady Barbara Monis appeared in.^[2]

The Dance of Time
Directed by	Mario Baffico
Written by	Emilio De Martino (novel) Ivo Perilli Cesare Zavattini
Starring	Marcello Spada Ugo Ceseri Luigi Almirante
Cinematography	Carlo Montuori
Edited by	Ignazio Ferronetti
Music by	Mario Mariotti
Production company	B.M. Società Cinematografica
Distributed by	Consorzio Italiano Film
Release date	December 1936 (1936-12)
Running time	80 minutes
Country	Italy
Language	Italian

It was shot at the Cines Studios in Rome. The film's sets were designed by the art director Giorgio Pinzauti.

Synopsis

A young nobleman takes up motor racing despite the disapproval of his father. After a number of obstacles are overcome, he eventually triumphs at the Tripoli Grand Prix in Italian Libya. In the process he has met the girl of his dreams.

Cast

• Barbara Monis as Anna Maria Rocchi
• Marcello Spada as Arnaldo
• Ugo Ceseri as Rocchi padre
• Luigi Almirante as Il conte di Aragona
• Laura Nucci
• Claudio Ermelli
• Rosina Adrario
• Silvio Bagolini
• Lucia Brunelli as La bambina
• Carlo Chertier
• Rolando Costantino
• Nora D'Alba
• Giuseppe Ricagno
• Gian Paolo Rosmino
• Umberto Sacripante
• Carla Sveva
• Osvaldo Valenti
• Nietta Zocchi
• Cesare Zoppetti

Reception

Filippo Sacchi in the Corriere della Sera praised the conception of the film but found the production fragmentary, especially its last part.^[3]

A review in Bianco e Nero, in March 1937, was very critical of the film, particularly the plot and acting, and stated, ”nothing in it is explored thoroughly".^[1]