Department Store (1939)

Least impressive of the pre war Camerini - De Sicas is still a film of considerable interest, coming complete with OK persistent Cicognini score, back projection, so so car chase & shoot out and slick production values.

Driver De Sica romances shop girl Norris, despite becoming involved with a parcels racket. It's all set in a giant white department store atrium set (cf.the Spanish CRIMEN FERPECTO)complete with practical elevator.

This one still has working class characters but it's closer to MGM than neo realism, with it's slick studio shooting and luxury goods. Vittorio milks it. See the space he gets out of taking a drink in Penovich's apartment but by now Assia Norris, the less accomplished performer, has worked out how to hit just the right note of blonde innocent charm.

One of the more accomplish romcoms of the day.