AllMovie

The discovery of an aborted fetus in a WW II-era Tuscan town nearly overloads the gossip mill in this black Italian comedy that is based on a play by director/screenwriter Ugo Chiti. The tale begins in 1939 just before Mussolini-controlled Italy entered the war. The fetus is unfortunately discovered on the eve of a visit by the great dictator. Wanting no trouble, the town's fascist secretary attempts a cover-up that is promptly blown with the unexpected late-night arrival of a party leader. He convinces the secretary to quickly find a scapegoat for the alleged crime. To find one, the secretary enlists the aid of his mistress. They choose the daughter of the town tart, but before they can convict her, she is examined by the town doctor whose findings set the stage for tragedy.