Goddess Of Love (1957)

Interesting facts

The Goddess of Love, also known as Aphrodite, Goddess of Love, is a 1957 Italian-French epic adventure film directed by Giorgio Venturini and Viktor Tourjansky, and starring Belinda Lee, Massimo Girotti, and Jacques Sernas.

Production

Belinda Lee was borrowed from Rank Studios, who had her under contract. Lee had been spotted by the producers at the Cannes Film Festival who had been impressed by her beauty. Producer Nat Waschberger said Lee "typifies the girl I want for this role. The girl who plays it must have the perfect figure, for revealing costumes she will wear make this essential."

Lee arrived in Italy in early August 1957. It was made at the same time Diana Dors was making a film in Italy. "It's a sensational part," she said. "I have to show more of myself than I've ever done."

The film was going to be called Aphrodite but in October 1957 this was changed to The Virgin of Cheronea in order to avoid confusion with a rival Aphrodite film that was going to be made by Ben Hecht and Robert Haggiag.

During filming Lee began an affair with Prince Orsini which caused much publicity. Filming finished in September, after which Lee returned to London and left her husband. In October 1957 Lee told the press "I had a strict and very ladylike upbringing. When I went to Rome it was the first time I had been abroad on my own. It was marvelous. I even learned to swear."

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