Rented one of my fave films recently (Federico Fellini's La Dolce Vita), and hadn't seen it in so long, I forgot about the fascinating aircraft sequences...

The film begins with this surreal formation... two Bell helicopters flying low across Rome.


That's right... one of them is carrying an enormous gilt Jesus statue... it's on its way to be presented to the Pope at St. Peter's.



Marcello Mastroianni plays a gossip columnist; he and his photographer are following in the other chopper. He spies some sunbathing beauties on a rooftop, and has the pilot hover...


...so he can flirt with the girls and try to get a phone number. LOL!!



Later, at the airport: some beautiful vintage metal. Viscount? Not sure...


Not the same plane; this one's a DC6-B. Ain't she beautiful?




The plane's precious cargo is a Swedish movie starlet visiting Rome for the first time to shoot a movie : Anita Ekberg, basically playing herself. Bella... bella!! Her luscious curves almost outdo those of the Douglas...



A welcoming commitee from the studio rushes forward with flowers and a pizza... check out the collection of classics in the background. It should be noted that this was shot in 1961...


Against a backdrop of DC3s, the incorrigible Marcello tries his luck with a stewardess...


If you've never seen this movie, I highly recommend it, not just for the aviation-related stuff, but for its wit, wisdom, humor and intensity. Old Federico certainly knew how to make a movie.
And there are also some gorgeous cars in this one...