The brilliant Italian screen comedian Toto stars in the modestly titled Il Piu Comico Spettacolo de Mondo (Funniest Show on Earth). Lensed in 3D, the film is a broad spoof of Cecil B. DeMille's The Greatest Show on Earth, with Toto essaying the James Stewart role as a fugitive from justice posing as a circus clown. Marc Lawrence, that pockmarked specialist in gangster roles, is incongruously but amusingly cast in the Charlton Heston part as the circus manager, while Tania Weber lampoons Betty Hutton as the show's star trapeze artist. Also on hand is May Britt, who went on to American fame as the wife of Sammy Davis Jr. Anthony Quinn and Silvana Magnano make guest appearances as audience members revelling in Toto's tried-and-true comedy routines. Il Piu Comico Spettacolo del Mondo sets up more subplots than a Dickens novel, then abruptly comes to a halt, resolving absolutely nothing.
by Hal Erickson
synopsis
