19th Annual Washington Jewish Film Festival. December 4-14, 2008

 

Virtually everyone in Italy knows songs like “Tulli-Tulli-Tullipan” and “Ciribiribin,” but hardly anyone remembers who made these classics popular–the Trio Lescano, three Dutch sisters with Jewish roots. After leaving Holland and being discovered by an Italian talent scout, Alexandra, Judith and Ketty Leschan reveled in unprecedented popularity in 1930s and 1940s in Fascist Italy. Their catchy harmonies to swinging tunes were the European response to the Andrew sisters. Even Mussolini was a fan of these engaging beauties! Despite their great success, the Trio Lescano suffered as WWII progressed, due in part to their being Jewish.  Luckily for music lovers, the harmonies and contagious spirit of the singing sisters continue to live on as part of Italy’s musical heritage and in this affectionately rendered film.

 

CO-SPONSORED BY the Italian Cultural Institute of Washington, DC
THE FILM IS FUNDED BY the Arthur Tracy “The Street Singer” Endowment honoring the memory and musical legacy of  Arthur Tracy - the renowned radio, stage and screen singer and entertainer whose talent delighted millions around the world - the arts programs supported by this fund continue Tracy's ability to entertain for years to come.