Maria Jacobini: Iconic Italian Silent Film Actress

Maria Jacobini: Iconic Italian Silent Film Actress

Maria Jacobini (1892–1944) was one of the most celebrated Italian actresses of the silent film era. Proveniva da una nobile famiglia romana, with family members including cardinals and ministers of the Vatican, which added a touch of prestige to her early life. She began performing as a teenager after attending the Accademia di Arte Drammatica, studying under Virginia Marini and Eduardo Boutet. To learn more about her remarkable life and career, you can visit her Wikipedia page.

Maria Jacobini – Key Information Table

Early Career and Breakthrough in Silent Cinema

After completing her studies, Jacobini started her acting career in the theater, performing in secondary roles with Cesare Dondini Jr.’s company. Her natural dramatic talent soon caught attention.

In 1910, she received her first cinematic role in Beatrice Cenci, directed by Ugo Falena of Film d’Arte Italiana. However, her first major role came in 1912 with Cesare Borgia, which launched her into the spotlight as one of Italy’s leading film actresses.

Jacobini worked with several production houses, including Savoia Film in Turin, where she starred in numerous films alongside Dillo Lombardi. She developed a professional and romantic relationship with director Nino Oxilia, who directed her in the historical epic Giovanna d’Arco (1913), the first feature film about Joan of Arc in cinema history. The film gained tremendous success in the United States and cemented her international reputation.

International Success: Italy, Germany, and France

With the post-World War I decline in Italian film production, Maria Jacobini and her partner, director Gennaro Righelli, moved to Germany in 1923. In Berlin, she founded her own production company, Maria Jacobini-Film GmbH, producing La Bohème, later acquired by Trianon-Film.
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Transition to Sound Cinema

Unlike many silent film stars, Jacobini successfully transitioned into the sound era, though mostly in supporting roles. Returning to Italy in the early 1930s, she starred in her first sound film Perché no? (1930), directed by Amleto Palermi. She continued working until her final appearance in La donna della montagna (1944).

Despite fewer leading roles, her experience and presence made her a respected figure in Italian cinema until her death at age 52. She is buried at the Cimitero del Verano in Rome alongside her sister Diomira.

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Teaching and Legacy

Maria Jacobini was also an esteemed acting teacher. In 1937, she joined the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia as a professor of acting, mentoring the next generation of stars, including Clara Calamai and Alida Valli. Her teaching ensured that her influence extended beyond her films and helped shape Italian cinema for decades. Her career spanned Italian, German, and French cinema, establishing her as a true international star of her era.

Conclusion

Maria Jacobini remains a legendary figure in early European cinema, celebrated for her dramatic talent, versatility, and dedication both on-screen and as a teacher. From her noble Roman roots to international stardom, she embodied the elegance, passion, and artistry of the silent film era.

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