Aldo Silvani, born in 1891 in Turin, Italy, was a prolific actor whose career spanned three decades. He appeared in numerous films, including Panic Button (1964), where he adds a unique layer to the film's exploration of psychological tension. Silvani's extensive experience in Italian cinema enriches the cult film landscape, particularly in the realm of exploitation and thrillers. His performances reflect the evolving styles of the era, making him a noteworthy figure in the annals of genre cinema.
Panic Button
Faced with the ruinous prospect of having to pay income tax on $500,000, business executive Frank Pagano decides to invest the money in a project that he believes is doomed to financial ruin: a television pilot film based on the story of Romeo and Juliet. Pagano hires Pandowski, an eccentric disciple of Stanislavski, to direct the film and casts Philippe Fontaine, a faded French actor long forgotten in Hollywood, as Romeo. For the role of Juliet, Pagano hires Angela, a starlet with a voluptuous body but no talent. When the film is finished, Philippe and his ex-wife Louise steal a print and, disguised as nuns, take it to the Venice Film Festival. The film is mistaken for a satire by the festival jury and is awarded the Golden Lion for the best comedy. Fontaine swallows his wounded pride and accepts his new reputation as a comedian. Pagano arrives on the scene and, making the best of the situation, decides to become a film producer.
