The title is a Napulitan corruption of the English word "shoe-shiner."
Regina Coeli is the best known prison in Rome. Its name indicates its origins as a Catholic convent. it was converted to a prison in 1881.
Vittorio de Sica's latest film is a powerful and touching semi-documentary of poverty in postwar Italy. Italian audience have preferred to flock to the more frivolous American offerings. De Sica and his scenarist showed their concern for children suffering from the separation of the parents. Since the war bands of children have been living in the streets, many of them becoming shoe-shine boys to survive. The situation, according to the film, is the result of fascism and not fault of the children. Shoeshine boys can be seen in several post war American films.
This film was first telecast in Los Angeles Tuesday 14 September 1948 on KTLA (Channel 5), in Lowell MA (serving the Boston Area) Saturday 25 September 1948 on WBZ (Channel 4), in Chicago Sunday 26 September 1948 on WGN (Channel 9), in Cincinnati Saturday 22 October 1949 on WKRC (Channel 11), and in San Francisco Friday 6 January 1950 on KGO (Channel 7).