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  "path": "/issues/2026-2-14/when-eisie-met-loren",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-14T00:00:00.000Z",
  "site": "https://airmail.news",
  "tags": [
    "Air Mail",
    "READ ON"
  ],
  "textContent": "  _Top,_ Sophia Loren and Carlo Ponti, photographed by Alfred Eisenstaedt near Naples, 1961; _above,_ Loren in New York, 1979.\n\n##### “She was the most captivating and the nicest and the most hardworking actress I’ve ever met”: a new coffee-table book collects the photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt’s timeless pictures of the Italian cinema icon Sophia Loren\n\nBy Elena Clavarino\n\nSophia Loren began her career as did many poor, beautiful girls from Pozzuoli, Naples—in beauty pageants. Soon she appeared in the louche pages of _Sogno,_ a magazine popular among those who couldn’t afford movie tickets. Her first _Life-_ magazine cover dates to August 22, 1955, and features her as a feisty fishmonger in a still from the film _Pane, Amore e…_ The article noted her “indifferent acting ability” but praised her “sensuous beauty and physique.” Loren was destined for more.\n\nIn 1958, she signed a five-picture deal with Paramount. Around the same time, one of _Life_ ’s seasoned photographers, Alfred Eisenstaedt—known as “Eisie” (pronounced READ ON",
  "title": "When Eisie Met Loren"
}