Le miserie del signor Travet

The original Italian title of HIS YOUNG WIFE translates as "The Miseries of Mr. Travet." The film is an evocation of life in 19th century Turin and is based on a play by Vittorio Bersezio. It concerns a humble ministry clerk (marvelously played by Carlo Campanini) whose years of drudgery have netted him abuse from his pretty and petty scheming wife (Vera Carmi) and from the other pen-pushers in the office. The bullying "commendatore" who is Travet's boss (Gino Cervi at his best) is at first infatuated with Travet's wife, then filled with admiration for Travet's character when the husband comes to the defense of his wife's virtue and loses his job in the process. This is a movie of great beauty and humanity.