Misère et noblesse

Although my reviews generally start with a precis of the plot, the complications and situations in this one defy description. Let it stand that Toto stars in this Scarpetta farce as a poor man who is hired by a nobleman to impersonate his Princely uncle so he can marry Sophia Loren, as who among us would not, and it is very funny.

Toto had a very obvious relationship to Scarpetta, having worked extensively with his children, and his usual comic tics , spoonerism and general nonsense are on full view here. This is the third of three movie versions of the play: a silent version, now lost, a 1950 version starring Vincenzo Scarpetta preceded this. There's immense fun to be had here, with Toto's delivery hilarious even when you don't know Italian.

This film is very stagey and also over-acted. I only watched about 25 minutes, which was about 20 minutes too many.

We owe Neapolitan actor and playwright Eduardo Scarpetta an immeasurable debt of gratitude for having fathered, albeit illegitimately, Eduardo, Peppino and Titina de Filippo! He also created a wondrous character named Felice Sciosciammocca, a sort of latter day Pulcinella, who had already been played on film by his legitimate son Vincenzo in 1940 and is here played by Antonio de Curtis, better known as Toto.

It is well-nigh impossible not to like this enchanting, endearing and engaging adaptation of Scarpetta's best known play. Doubtless influenced by the farces of Labiche and Feydeau, this has an assortment of colourful 'stock' characters and simply splendid ensemble playing. The role of Felice is of course tailor-made for Toto who is steeped in the tradition of the Commedia dell' Arte. Having been born into genteel poverty he is well able to portray here an impoverished scribe and to impersonate a Prince.

I suppose that to the average non-European cinema-goer this piece is of interest for the presence of statuesque Sophia Loren. Apart from the unfortunate 'White Slave Trade' where she was billed as Sofia Lazzaro, her role here as a ballerina(!) is her most substantial thus far but her 'breakthrough' was soon to come in 'Gold of Naples' directed by Vittorio de Sica who became her Svengali, after which of course she never looked back.

Comedy is a fragile commodity and seldom travels well but this beautifully executed version by Mario Mattoli of an undeniable classic is a glorious exception.

I've been watching this movie since i was little and it's still one of my favorites, it's just so iconic and I appreciate it even more now as an adult because it does such a great job in showing the differences between social classes, while still being a lighthearted and fun movie with memorable lines. Totò is an amazing performer and all the characters are so funny together. I just love this movie!!

Never be sure like i am now to give the vote to a fiction or to a someoneelse, no doubt 10!. Now i will try to persuade the many that haven't still seen this fiction to do it. This is an ironic fiction that talk about the life in two different and opposite way:misery and nobility. The comic verve of Totò, i think the best Italian actor of ever, make this comedy one of the best work of ever. Every time i see it i smile and laugh but i reflect also about the magnificent message that is mixed on the jokes... the worlds can be never enough my opinion should be like an advice to see it. a masterpiece. P.S. excuse me for the bad English i will try to advice