A graduate of the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografica, she was born Mara Cianelli and was credited in her early films (including Sollima’s LE GATTE, De Sica’s MARRIAGE ITALIAN STYLE, and Monicelli’s RISATE DI GIOIA) under a variety of names: Mara Ombra, Cianelli, and Mara Marilli. When she married Ernesto in 1960, they made a pact: she would only act in the films he had directed, and he would only direct the films in which she starred... and so was born the newly (and finally) named Mara Maryl in the early giallo classic LIBIDO (1965), which also introduced - under the alias John Charlie Johns! - the great Giancarlo Giannini.
The Gastaldi-Maryl team went on to make several thrillers, including THE LONELY VIOLENT BEACH, CHEERS...CHEERS... CYANIDE, and (their last collaboration) THE END OF ETERNITY, to name a few. They also shared writing credits on two Sergio Martino thrillers, THE SCORPION WITH TWO TAILS and THE GREAT ALLIGATOR. They had three children and will be remembered as one of the true legendary loves of Italian cinema. My deepest sympathies to Ernesto, their children, their families, and everyone who loved and admired her.
Mara Maryl was 82.
Subscribe to Tim Lucas / Video WatchBlog by Email
If you enjoy Video WatchBlog, your kind support will help to ensure its continued frequency and broader reach of coverage.
