The Barefoot Contessa

The Barefoot Contessa is a 1954 drama film written and directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz about the life and loves of fictional Spanish sex symbol Maria Vargas. It stars Humphrey Bogart, Ava Gardner, and Edmond OBrien.

Down on his luck, veteran movie director and writer Harry Dawes Humphrey Bogart is reduced to working for abusive, emotionally stunted business tycoon Kirk Edwards Warren Stevens, who has decided he wants to produce a film to stroke his monumental ego. Looking for a fresh leading lady, they discover, in a Madrid night club, stunning dancer Maria Vargas Ava Gardner, a blithe but proud spirit who likes to go barefoot and has a troubled home life.Maria takes an instant dislike to Kirk but trusts Harry, whose work she knows. Thanks to his expertise and the help of sweaty, insincere publicist Oscar Muldoon Edmond OBrien, her film debut is a sensation. Kirk tries to control Marias life by publicly ordering her to stay away from wealthy Latin American playboy Alberto Bravano Marius Goring, but Maria rebels. ........

Source: Wikipedia