Clelia Matania
Born in London, the daughter of the Capri-born naturalized Briton painter Fortunino Matania (best known as Saturnino), Matania attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and also followed courses of ballet, singing and music.[1] When the family returned to Italy, she entered the company of the Arts Theater directed by Anton Giulio Bragaglia.[1] In the second half of the thirties and during the war she was one of the most popular and requested young actresses of prose in Italy, then, from 1942, she also starred with some success in several revues.[1] Her stage activity include works with Totò, Eduardo De Filippo and the musical comedy Enrico '61 that she also represented in England, first in Liverpool and then in London, also participating in a Royal Performance in the presence of the Royal Family.[1] Her film career mainly consists of supporting roles as a character actress; due to her perfect knowledge of English, Matania was also often required for the international productions set in Italy.