Ubaldo Lay Movies

In the mid-'70s, Ciccio Ingrassia had a falling out with partner Franco Franchi -- with whom he co-starred in numerous popular "Franco and Ciccio" comedies before and after the quarrel -- and set out on his own, directing himself in this fairly amusing parody. Mimmo Baldi plays Luigi, the overweight son of a town mayor (Lino Banfi), who finds an amulet and takes it home. The demons inside it begin possessing the entire family. Ingrassia stars as a conman who pretends to be an exorcist, but ends up possessed as well. At one point, a Franchi impersonator is defenestrated, illustrating the depth of Ingrassia's feelings at the time. Ubaldo Lay co-stars with Tano Cimarosa and Didi Perego, and cultists will recognize Salvatore Baccaro (La Bestia in Calore, El Castello dell'Orrore) in a typically bizarre role. Well photographed by Guglielmo Mancori, although Marino Onorati's screenplay may not be very funny to those unfamiliar with the rather insular nature of many Italian comedies. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide

In this high-seas adventure set in the 15th century, a dashing hero is released from prison and assigned to save the governor of Rhodes' kidnapped daughter from a wicked pirate. Instead, the parolee joins the pirates, but when they catch him staring at the girl, they beat him senseless and leave him to die. They then leave to sell the girl to a white slaver. Fortunately, the hero remembers right from wrong, enlists the aid of local fishermen, and saves the girl. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

In this drama, set in Italy during 1889, a young doctor meets and falls for the daughter of a renowned medical professor. The professor does not approve of the affair and suggests that the young medic leave Rome. The physician then goes to Obetello, and there he discovers a radical, but successful treatment for malaria. Trouble ensues when he spurns the advances of an amorous neighbor. For revenge she begins blaming the current malaria epidemic upon him. As a result he is tried and sentenced to four years in prison for using unorthodox methods. His medical license is also revoked. In jail, he is promoted to orderly. He promptly inoculates himself against the dread disease using his own treatment. He soon proves his innocence and is acquitted of all crimes. He then returns to Rome to marry his true love. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

It was the consensus of opinion in 1946 that the turning point of the WW II Italian campaign was the battle of Montecassino. At great cost of both men and material, the Allies were finally able to capture the titular Nazi stronghold, an accomplishment summed up by the Bill Mauldin cartoon wherein two mud-caked GIs overlook the Italian landscape and exclaim "My God! There we wuz and here they wuz!" Most cinematic reenactments of Montecassino concentrated on the military aspects of the offensive. This Italian film takes a different approach, dwelling upon the suffering and travails of the local populace. The script also manages to weave in a romance between two of the beleaguered citizens. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide