by Nicole Gagne
synopsis
Vittorio De Sica, Cesare Zavattini, and Giuseppe Marotta wrote this anthology of tales depicting various aspects of Neapolitan life, with the emphasis of poignancy and comedy: "The Racketeer" features Toto with a gangster as his unwanted house guest; "Pizza On Credit" gave Sophia Loren one of her first starring roles, as a wayward wife who loses her wedding ring; "The Gambler" stars De Sica in a hilarious performance as a compulsive gambler whose rich family won't give him money, so he's reduced to playing cards with the young son of his servant; "Theresa" features Silvana Mangano as a prostitute who discovers that a man really does have to be crazy to marry her. (Two other episodes were cut for the film's U.S. release.)
characteristics
- Philandering
- Prostitute/prostitution
- Philanderer
- Mob
- Marriage
- Streetwalker
- Wedding-ring
- Yakuza
- Wives
- Wife
- Whore
- Mafia
- Infidelity
- Courtesan
- Cards