Isa Pola, the stage name of Maria Luisa Betti di Montesano (1909-1984), was an Italian actress and a leading figure of Italian cinema in the 1930s and 1940s. She rose to prominence with *La canzone dell'amore* (1930), directed by Gennaro Righelli, which is considered the first Italian sound film. Her career was marked by memorable performances in films directed by great masters, solidifying her image as a modern and restless diva. Among her most significant roles are the tormented Gaby Doriot in *La signora di tutti* (1934) by Max Ophüls and the protagonist of *Acciaio* (1933) by Walter Ruttmann. One of her most intense and celebrated performances was as the mother, Nina, in Vittorio De Sica's *I bambini ci guardano* (1944), a complex portrayal that anticipated the sensibility of Neorealism. In the post-war period, she continued to work, transitioning to character roles, and won the Nastro d'Argento for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the film *Le due verità* (1951).