The American Film Musical in Italy
2008; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 14; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1080/13556509.2008.10799260
ISSN1757-0409
Autores Tópico(s)Translation Studies and Practices
ResumoAbstractAbstractAfter the climax of the Golden Age of the American film musical at the beginning of the 1950s, Hollywood musicals quickly reached Italy and were screened and broadcast frequently over the years. Italian distributors were eager to exploit the success these productions had achieved in their country of origin, as the magical and utopian worlds evoked by these films were equally appealing to Italian audiences. Yet the genre was received rather unevenly in Italy. This article examines the factors that influenced this reception and attempts to establish whether the unsystematic and partial translation strategies employed played a role in this process. It first offers a brief overview of the genre's evolution and of its unique and multifaceted 'language'. It then analyzes the context of production and release of the Italian versions of fifteen popular American film musicals produced between the 1950s and late 1970s, before describing the translation strategies employed. Finally, some examples from macro- and micro-level translational decisions are presented.Keywords: Film musicalAmericanItalyReceptionTranslation strategiesDubbingSubtitling ReferencesPrimary SourcesAn American in Paris (1951), directed by Vincente Minnelli: MGM (released in Italy as Un americano a Parigi in 1952 and distributed by MGM). [Google Scholar]Singin' in the Rain (1952), directed by Gene Kelly: MGM (released in Italy as Cantando sotto la pioggia in 1953 and distributed by Gaumont Vale). [Google Scholar]A Star is Born (1954), directed by George Kukor: Warner Brothers (released in Italy as È nata una stella in 1955 and distributed by Warner Brothers). [Google Scholar]Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954), directed by Stanley Donen: MGM (released in Italy as Sette spose per sette fratelli in 1955 and distributed by MGM). [Google Scholar]Guys and Dolls (1955), directed by Joseph Mankiewicz: MGM (released in Italy as Bulli e Pupe in 1956 and distributed by Cineriz). 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