Totò Movies

Survey of the history of Italian cinema, featuring clips from such classics as "Open City," "8-1/2," and "Seven Beauties," and interviews with illustrious stars and filmmakers, including Sophia Loren, Marcello Mastroianni, Toto, Monica Vitti, Anna Magnani, Vittorio DeSica, Federico Fellini, Pier Paolo Pasolini, and Roberto Rossellini. ~ Nicole Gagne, All Movie Guide

In this comedy, two Yankee con artists pose as tourists visiting scenic Naples. There they intend to rob an old church. Before pulling the caper, the two enlist the aid of a local criminal. The theft succeeds, but afterwards the crooks begin double-crossing each other. Murder and mayhem ensues as one American murders the other and then heads for the airport dressed as a nun. "Her" loot is, in turn, captured by the Italian crook and his friend. The local thief then heads for Switzerland accompanied by a bogus "cardinal" who protects him. Unfortunately for the crook, the cardinal turns out to be the real thing and takes the treasure back to its original home. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Originally Uccellacci e Uccellini, The Hawks and the Sparrows was adapted by director Pier Paolo Pasolini from his own novel. Italian comedian Toto plays a dual role, as "himself" and 12th century monk Brother Ciccillo. In modern times, Toto and his son Ninetto Davoli come across a talking crow who insists upon asking them where they're going. The answer, it turns out, is eight centuries into the past, where Toto and Davoli become monks, employed by Francis of Assisi to convert the birds of the world to Christianity. Unfortunately, every sparrow that they win over to God is devoured by a hawk. Back in the present, Toto and Davoli face a similar situation when their landlord threatens them with eviction. After various and sundry misadventures, the two human protagonists, growing weary of the philosophical crow's loquaciousness, eat the bird and move on, prepared to face whatever life brings them without the "help" of their feathered friend. The symbolism in The Hawks and the Sparrows is so obvious as to be funny, which was Pasolini's intention all along. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this Italian WW II comedy, an Italian colonel leads the invasion of Montegreco, a small town on the Greek-Albanian border. British troops also try to take over the village. The townsfolk are unconcerned as the two sides have "invaded" them more than threescore times already. The townies care nothing about the war and freely associate with soldiers from both sides. When the story begins, the Italians are currently holding the town. The trouble begins when the British colonel heads back to the pub to retrieve a forgotten pipe and ends up taken prisoner. His soldiers retaliate and take two Italians. They then trade hostages for two cases of whiskey. The two sides continue their little tug-of-war until the Nazis attack and order Montegreco destroyed. The Italian colonel attempts to arrest the German officer in charge, but he is captured by the SS who order his execution. Fortunately, the British officer again saves him and the two decide to join forces and stop the real invaders. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

If Hollywood could put the names of Abbott and Costello in the titles of the team's pictures, why couldn't Italy honor its favorite actors in a similar fashion. Toto, Vittorio e la Dotoressa stars that matchless Italian comic actor Toto, matinee idol/director Vittorio De Sica, and, as Dotoressa, sultry American songstress Abbe Lane. The plot concerns the misadventures of Dotoressa, a Neopolitan doctor who is pursued by a pair of her wackiest patients (DeSica and German Cobos). Frantically, Dotoressa turns to private detective Toto for help--and that's her first mistake. Adding to the general hilarity is up-and-coming slapstick comedian Darry Cowl in a supporting role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide