Who's the Queen of Peplum Cinema? - part 1 - Sylva Koscina ◊ Chelo Alonso ◊ Tina Louise

Part 1 of 2

To view both clips together:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvA4poIa59Q&feature=PlayList&p=AAACFA5...

To go to part 2 click this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Pacx6PQJnA


Figuring out who's the King of Peplum Cinema is easy: it's Steve Reeves. That's it. Sorry for the other guys (whom I like as much as Steve) but Steve is the man. He's responsible for starting the entire musclemen craze nearly 50 years ago so it's no contest.

But as for female Peplum stars, who epitomizes the genre? It's hard to say. I've compiled a long list of stars that I believe are contenders for being the Queen of Peplum Cinema.

My only criteria for choosing the actresses is simple enough: they had to have made one S&S film in Italy to be considered for the title, which is why I left out some obvious choices, like Elisabeth Taylor, Jean Simmons or Deborah Kerr, because their big historical dramas were all Hollywood productions, and the Peplum universe is, imo, inhate to Italian/European cinema.

So, who do think is the Queen of Peplums?

1 - Sylva Koscina

Youthful star of the two Hercules movies starring Steve Reeves. This clip is from Hercules, the film that started the Peplum explosion.

2 - Rhonda Fleming : Star of several major Peplums, including Revolt of the Slaves. A major contender.

3- Bella Cortez : Dance clip from Vulcan Son of Jupiter. Bella might not seem to be a contender for some but to me she is.

4 - Rossana Podestà : Clip from Alone Against Rome. Rossana was the main star of Robert Wise's Helen of Troy and made a steady stream of S&S films after that.

5 - Joan Collins : Joan, seen here in Land of Pharaohs, was also in the Italian produced Esther & the King.

6 - Jany Clair : Star of many Peplums and swashbuckling films. This clip is from Hercules vs the Moon Men. I love this clip.

7 - Lisa Gastoni : Italian star of many Peplums, including this one called The Last Gladiator.

8 - Hélène Chanel : French actress that starred in a handful of S&S flicks usually starring Kirk Morris, including Maciste in the Valley of Thundering Echo.

9 - Chelo Alonso : Sultry actress/dancer who for some epitomizes the female Peplum star. Goliath vs the Barbarians.

10 - Gina Lollobrigida : Italian superstar that made several costume epics, including Solomon & Sheba.

11 - Yvonne Furneaux : French actress famous for her stunning eyes. Yvonne left her mark in the Peplum world, certainly with her starring role in Lion of Thebes.

12 - Jayne Mansfield : Jayne only starred in one S&S film but it's a camp classic of epic proportions: Hercules vs the Hydra.

13 - Moira Orfei : Moira is a familiar face for fans of Peplums. She often plays Evil Queens or witches. This is from Mole Men Vs the Son of Hercules.

14 - Leonora Ruffo : This clip is from Queen of Sheba, a colorful B&W Sword & Sandal that was made years before Hercules. LOVE this film.

15 - Gloria Milland : Her first major role was a Peplum. A recognizable face for sure. From Goliath against the Giants.

16 - Fay Spain : Beautiful Fay only made one S&S film but it's one of the biggest and best: Hercules and the Captive Women.

17 - Mylene Demongeot : Gorgeous French actress starred in a couple of major S&S flicks, including this one, Giant of Marathon.

18 - Sophia Loren : Italian superstar, who still works today, is probably the most famous S&S female star. Clip from 2 Nights with Cleopatra.

19 - Helga Liné : Exotic beauty that heralds from Germany. Helga has something about her that makes her stand-out from the crowded pack. Brief clips from Hercules and the Tyrants of Babylon and Triumph of the Ten Gladiators.

20 - Anita Ekberg : Brief clip of the bodacious Anita from Sign of the Gladiator.

21 - Debra Paget : International S&S star, who starred in Hollywood produced films, like The Ten Commandments and European films, like Cleopatra's Daughter.

22 - José Greci : The beautiful Jose Greci starred in a handful of Peplums and for good reason, she's got screen presence. From Hercules against the Mongols.

23 - Rosalba Neri : Another stunning Italian beauty, who was at her most sultry in Kindar the Invulnerable.

24 - Liana Orfei : Cousin of Moira, Liana starred in many S&S films, including the ever popular Hercules challenges Samson. Her dance number in it is one of the best.

25 - Sylvia Lopez : Sylvia's career was short because she died young from leukemia but she made 3 major Peplums, including Hercules Unchained.

26 - Gianna Maria Canale : Probably the most prolific Peplum star ever. She started her career at the beginning of the 1950s and it lasted until the mid-60s. Clip from Goliath & the Vampires.

27 - Tina Louise : Even if Tina made only two films, she's a major contender because her films are darn good. From Sappho Venus of Lesbos.

.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Venus
• Sappho
• Aphrodite
• sword
• sandal
• peplum
• Hercules
• damsel
• cheesecake
• fantasy
• action
• Cleopatra
• Amazons

[htrrz]

I really enjoyed your program of so many films I enjoyed growing up, Steve Reeves is the King, but you left out Virni Lisi in Duel of Titans with Steve Reeves and Gordon Scott.

[SapphoPEPLUM]

I'm doing a part 2 for Queen of Peplum cinema and will add those that I didn't include because of youtube's 10 minute limitation.

[jimbo97]

Rosalba Neri, Helga Line', and Sylva Koscina are favorites, but Sylvia Lopez (HERCULES UNCHAINED) always sends me into orbit!

[mylesag2]

I vote for Gianna Maria Canale!!

[maximusbig]

Very, very nice so many good memories. Thank you for your work on these Peplum movies. They bring back memories that are so sweet!

[CinderellaBaghdad]

They all look cute :)

[sminno]

Rosalba Neri reminds me of Jennifer Tilly

[sminno]

Gloria Milands looks like a blond Catherene-Zeta Jones to me

[LadyNemesis2007]

Bella Cortez!

[funk51]

chelso alonso with bella cortez second.

[TremendoGallo]

TODAS son MAMACITASSS y que bien les caen esos vestidos exoticos antiguos

[LannaDru]

I just noticed how much Jessica Alba looks like Mylene Demongeot. And the guy standing next to her is a spitting image of Michael Caine.