La violetera is a 1958 Italian-Spanish historical musical film directed by Luis César Amadori and starring Sara Montiel, Raf Vallone and Frank Villard.
On New Year's Eve 1899, Soledad (Montiel) is peddling violets in a Madrid busy street when she meets aristocrat Fernando (Vallone). The couple falls in love but their different social backgrounds threatens the relationship. Disregarding all social conventions and scandalizing high society, Fernando announces his marriage plans with Soledad. However, when tragedy strikes, Fernando decides to put an end to the affair, and heartbroken, Soledad runs away. Fernando later realizes that he cannot live without Soledad and tries to find her but, by then, she has gone to Paris, where she had conquered France and becomes a stage superstar touring Europe. Will they ever meet again?
This film provides examples of:
- Bookends: The movie begins and ends with Soledad and Fernando meeting at a New Year's Eve.
- Gay Paree: Soledad becomes a singing star after going to a stereotypical Paris.
- Innocent Flower Girl: Soledad starts out the movie humbly selling violets on the street.
- It's All My Fault: Fernando feels devastated and guilty of his brother's death after he gets killed in a duel trying to save the family honor due to the scandal caused by Fernando and Soledad's relationship.
- New Year Has Come: Soledad and Fernando meet in New Year's Eve 1899. They meet again at another New Year's Eve, when she makes a modest comeback at a saloon and Fernando walks in the joint.
- Star-Crossed Lovers: How Fernando and Soledad's relationship starts out: He's an aristocrat, she's a poor flower seller.
