I saw this film 40 years ago as "The Passionate Thief" and it still makes me laugh when I think about it, which is often. Anna Magnani's appallingly delusional "blonde" actress is unforgettable as she, with her old standby Toto, blunder their way through this pathetic misadventure worthy of a New Year's Eve. Ben Gazzara's con man/thief is juicy and sexy enough to make any woman his accomplice, willing or accidental, and the tragic-comic tension between Ms. Magnani and the thief is pure comedy. This film really belongs in the category of Billy Wilder films and why it is not better known is beyond me. Given a choice, I would be hard pressed to decide whether The Passionate Thief or Die Fledermaus is my favorite New Year's party. I cannot recommend this film enough, especially to fans of Bunuel and Wilder.
