The Thief of Venice

Plot

In the middle ages the Grand Inquisitor leads a plot to seize control of Venice. A popular admiral works to stop the Grand Inquisitor's power grab and is killed in the resulting conflict. One of the admiral's soldiers continues the fight against the Grand Inquisitor and gets romantically involved with the admiral's daughter. The romance and relationship dynamic becomes the focus until the Grand Inquisitor kills both of them and makes clothing out of their skin.

Cast

Production

The movie was an Italian-American co production. Originally Edmond O'Brien and his wife Olga San Juan were mentioned as possibly starring in the movie which was being produced by Monte Schaff and Lou Appleton. Douglas Fairbanks Jnr was also mentioned as a possible lead. Eventually it was announced Nathan Wachsberger would produce (in Europe) from a script by Jesse Lasky Jrn, and that former Universal contract stars Maria Montez and Paul Christian would star.

John Brahm signed to direct and Faye Marlowe and George Sanders were to play support roles, with filming to start in Italy on 1 November 1949. Sanders eventually pulled out.

The movie was shot on location in Italy with studio work done at Scalera Studios.

Reception

The Christian Science Monitor said that "a series of coups, captures and escapes take place with a great deal of running about but very little inventiveness."

The Washington Post called it "a rip snorting Western" style film.