La cambiale

I hadn't watched a film with the great Italian comic Toto' (still largely unknown outside his native country) in about 8 months but, during the Summer season, Italian TV always schedules some of his stuff. While none of his countless vehicles is a particularly outstanding film (this happens to be the 50th I've watched in the mere 3 years I've been a fan of his work!), they're generally palatable and sometimes quite pleasant, with the actor's broad gestures and way with dialogue always sure to provide laughs aplenty and the odd moment of inspiration.

This one, however, has the distinction of co-starring two Italian stars of the higher ranks - Vittorio Gassman and Ugo Tognazzi - and the leading lady is "Euro-Cult" favorite Sylva Koscina. An episodic film with a familiar concept involving an IOU made by a corrupt financier, which changes hands numerous times during the course of the narrative, perhaps its best scenes are the (separate) ones in which Toto' - and frequent sparring partner Peppino De Filippi - and Ugo Tognazzi (flanked by Raimondo Vianello) appear - with the most amusing moments being when the latter couple are beaten up after a wrestling match and when the former realize that they will be offering false testimony (for gain) on both sides of a court case!

A painting or a painter is judged when its work is completed. This movie example of the above statement.

Initial 45 minutes, I did not have a cue of what the movie is about.

An Investment Giant (Bruscatelli) Gives a false promissory note or a bond or bill or whatever is called to 2 shysters or a lawyer struggling for survival of basic things in life.

2 Lawyers gave this bond to Landlord or Shop owner as token fund repayment for the tenant money for 6 months.

Shop owner gave this bond to Animal Caretaker (tosacani) for money for his dog care.

Animal Caretaker (tosacani) gave this bond to a High Class Tramp who lives on high end money.

High Class Tramp gave this money to a Dress Shop Sales Person.

Dress shop sales person gave this bond to wrestling fighter.

Finally the Wresting fighter gives back bond to Dress shop sales person, then to Tramp, then to Animal Caretaker(tosacani), then to Landlord and finally to those 2 Lawyers whom were arrested for being a False Witness.

The movie shows the exploitation of human needs and survival of people in all aspects of life.

It shows the 2 lawyers getting the Honey, Jam, Butter, and Wine for the work they have done as the client do not have money. Animal Carer gives all his money except his 50 lire for women to travel and you can see more.

This clearly depicts the needs to be done in order to survive.

This is an excellent movie I watch after long time. Don't know how many people appreciate it.

Particularly the fight between the Dress Sales Man and Wresting ling Man was hilarious and consequently the fight between Dress Sales Man and his wife for having adultery and laundering the money.

Probably, after 1 hour I could not stop laughing that is once after the Wrestler gives back the bond to Sales Man telling it is not fundable.

Vittorio Gassman as Animal Caretaker(tosacani) - He is always funny wherever he is. Hilarious to see when to tries to seduce the decent women by pretending as Russian Count.

The very first dance between Vittorio Gasman and Sylva Koscina should be inspiration for sword fish movie dance.(John Travolta) Ugo Tognazzi performed extremely well as Sales Man and also the wrestling comedy was too hilarious and fight with his wife was too funny.

Toto and Peppino De Filippo was hilarious in final scene of appearing as false witness in the court.

The scene of both appearing as false witness for both the parties was extremely joy to watch.

The way they gave witness to both parties will their acting skills and finally they will gave bond to jailer for food.

Sylva Koscina was delightful to watch all the time and displayed acting skills as tramp eluding all man for her needs. The way she manipulates man shows her talent as a actor.

Totally good movie if you can sit and watch.