Vita da cani

Okay, Monicelli is no Fellini--this is a very Fellini subject--but he acquits himself very well in this story of small-time, grubby, fly-by-night show people. Or in one case, fly by day--a comic highlight is moth-eaten impresario Aldo Fabrizi's ducking a hotel bill, first with doubletalk, then with a con trick, and finally a bravura impersonation and triumphant getaway.

But even this bum can inspire love and loyalty, and from the star of the show, Gina Lollobrigida of all people, looking unrecognizably mousy this early in her career. Two other women have love troubles as well--one has a fiance whose father won't hear of his marrying a chorus dancer, the other has turned her back on the gorgeous Marcello Mastroianni (also at the beginning of his career--his name is even misspelled in the credits!) to marry a millionaire gargoyle and is having regrets.

Oddly, though Gina and Marcello went on to stardom, the one who seems like the best bet for it is Tamara Lees, as the gold-digger, who is far better looking than Gina, indeed very similar to the ravishing Gene Tierney, counterpointed with a quiet intensity. Go figure!

You can see this movie on the website rarefilmm (note the two m's).