Taking time out today to mourn the passing of one of the most famous leading actresses in Italian cinema history -- the talented and stunningly-beautiful Claudia Cardinale, who died on September 23 at the age of 87.
Miss Cardinale starred in many prominent films such as Fellini's 8 1/2 (1963), THE PINK PANTHER (1963), THE LEOPARD (1963), THE PROFESSIONALS (1966) and ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST (1968). Why she wasn't cast in a James Bond film during this period is beyond my comprehension. And while she could have easily been cast in any number of Italian gothic horror films, she never appeared in one. Nevertheless, she had a very successful career and will be remembered by film fans for everywhere.