Life Is Beautiful?

No (the Italian title doesn't fit the clue anyway -- isn't it La vita e bella, or something like that?).

Another clue: It's a neo-realist classic and routinely pops up on Top 10 lists (such as the polls by Sight and Sound every 10 years).

The bicycle thief
bicycle thieves
Ladri di biciclette

Yes. That wasn't so difficult, was it?

Over to you, DT.

This is a funny story:

"And I swear I'm not making this up, but I once heard an American voice in the National Film Theatre's bookshop asking the cashier if the videotape it was selling under the title Bicycle Thieves was a sequel to The Bicycle Thief."

http://www.michaelbrooke.com/2004/03...wild-oats.html

DT?

topping for DT

Maybe DT is out of town.

Since I'm bored, why don't I give another clue? Let's do this -- we can continue with the game until DT comes back and gives us a clue. The clue left unanswered when DT returns can be replaced with a clue of DT's choosing. Alternatively, if the person who answers the last clue when DT returns hasn't come up with a clue, then the person forfeits his/her turn for a clue and DT gets to give us a clue.

Clue: This modernist villa (9 letters, 8th = "a" from Ladri) designed by the architect commonly referred to as (4 letters) is a UNESCO landmark but is apparently in severe disrepair.

Hint: The clue is not too difficult if you read the things I read.

Hi 111op: Would this be Villa Tugendhat designed by architect, Mies van der Rohe? Rohe being the 4 letters you want?

Actually I wanted Mies (usually the archiect is referred to as "Mies," as far as I know). By the way, his famous maxim is "less is more," I believe. I've been wanting to give a clue on Mies.

But no matter. You're up, Huitres!

Article from NYT (whereelse):

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/21/ar...gn/21mies.html

And by the way, Mies van der Rohe is not his real name, if I recall correctly. I forget what the real name is.

Hmmm...
Tugendhat?

According to this link:

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe wasn't really his name--he made it up using Ludwig Mies as a base.

http://www.metropolismag.com/html/co...rev/rev01.html

oooops. guess i'm too slow!

Well, Huitres beat you, yk.

Ok, here's my clue:

First a Roman, then Greek colony, this city (7 letters) became known for its famous medical school during the Middle Ages, the first of its kind in Europe. This ruler, (3 words: 7 letters, 2 letters, 5 letters) made this city the capital of an empire. It was later home to an illustrious resident whose name is linked to a nearby isle (7 letters).

Salerno & Procida?
Still working on the ruler

Somehow my guess is that Napoleon is the illustrious resident linked to Corsica. Maybe I'm off to a wild goose chase -- I haven't had time to research this clue properly.

111op: You are too funny! No, not this clue!