Fifties Cheesecake Dance No. 27

PLEASE READ THIS - This dance number is from "Ercole e la regina di Lidia" ("Hercules Unchained") from 1959, one of Steve Reeves classic Italian 50s peplum films. Although Reeves is universally associated with the character of Hercules he played the role only twice. In "Hercules" (1958), and this film, it's sequal. He held a variety of bodybuildng titles, including Mr Universe in 1950. His voice is dubbed in all of his Italian peplum films.

The film was directed by Pietro Francisci, who also directed "La Regina di Saba" (The Queen of Sheba) from 1952 (see Fifties Cheesecake Dance No. 10). The film starred Steve Reeves as Hercules (Ercole); Sylva Koscina as Iole, the bride of Hercules; Sylvia Lopez as Queen Omphale, of Lidia (whudda gal!); Gabriele Antonini as Ulyses, the son of Laertes; and Primo Carnera as Antaeus the giant.

The principal dancer, a trained ballet dancer, is also utilising a few moves from classical Indian dance, including bharatanatyam, one of the South indian dance styles. I'm guessing the style could be called "balletto indiano italiano di cimema".

I am always looking for new ideas for this series. If you have any suggestions please don't hesitate to drop me a line.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• ercole
• la
• regina
• di
• Lidia
• hercules
• unchained
• steve
• reeves
• pietro
• francisci
• sylva
• koscina
• sylvia
• lopez

[impCaesarAvg]

Who translated that title? "Ercole e la regina di Lidia" doesn't have anything to do with chains. It means "Hercules and the queen of Lydia". (That was a country in what is now Turkey.)

[pwgr2000]

Obviously, "Hercules Unchained" has a much more dynamic and attention-grabbing ring to it than "Hercules and the Queen of Lydia", despite the latter's promise of feminine charms in exotic attire.

In other words, box office appeal won out over literary accuracy.

[lumbiaknight87]

what would u like to ask me?..lol..do u know this boy? think hard...lol..come sit beside me..one of y fave movie character hercules...hercules..hercules.­.hercules..thanks for the post..i donated all my vhs tapes(including the 2 tape hercules)to a local library..i need to find the dvd..price should be $2.99

[pwgr2000]

I'm sorry. You must have mistaken me for someone who doesn't know the value of a rare, hard-to-find DVD.

[kitarra13]

they didn't have steroids in those days..... much better!

[MrSuppersready]

Its about time you can buy the sound tracks of most of these peplum movies

[purpletc]

I swear "by the Gods" Queen Omphale is so lucky to have Herc at her side...Too bad she couldn't keep him.

[blkchk]

This woman had the biggest lower lip in the movies!

[Attila709]

the hot redhead is Sylvia Lopez, who died way too early

[ronwelker8]

I wish I had been able to meet the great Messrs. . Reeves or Park before their untimely deaths. Mr. Mark Forest Lou Degni stil teaches opera in southern California I am told if anyone is organizing a sword and sandal convention somewhere near or in Canada. hint hint hint

[spacepatrolman]

a girl went to a healthfood convention and steve reeves was there she didnt know who he was I said he was the arnold shwartzeneggar of the 1950s or the other way around.

[ceira7]

Hmm. A mite too interested in that

'boy methinks.'