Alberto Sorrentino Movies

Veteran actors Alberto Sordi and Bernard Blier play the earthy Battistini and shabby but elegant Mondardini, two older men abandoned by their families during the vacation months who decide to vacation together on the famed beaches of Cote d'Azur. The two bicker, quarrel and make up while they pursue various amorous dreams with the lovely women they encounter. Battistini runs into the man who stole his wife from him (Vittorio Caprioli) and is offered a chance to take her back. His own fortune depleted by his incessant pursuit of women, Mondardini begins a relationship with the ruined gambler Germaine (Andrea Ferreol). Misfortunes of all kinds appear ready to derail these two bon-vivants' good times, but they always manage to shrug them off and enjoy themselves. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Released in the US by 20th Century-Fox, Boccaccio '70 is a compendium of short subjects directed by three of Italy's top filmmakers. Each story is written in the style of the famed Italian essayist Boccaccio, albeit told in contemporary terms. First up is "The Raffle", written by Cesare Zavattini and directed by Vittorio De Sica: Sophia Loren (wife of Boccaccio '70 producer Carlo Ponti) plays the sexy operator of a shooting gallery, who offers herself as first prize to the best shot. In "The Job", written by Suso Cecchi D'Amico and directed by Luchino Visconti, Romy Schneider carries a torch for her philandering boss Tomas Milian. The final segment is "The Temptation of Dr. Antonio", directed by Federico Fellini and scripted by Fellini, Ennio Flaiano and Tullio Pinelli; in this one, Anita Ekberg is an image on a poster who comes to life for the benefit of a drooling middle-aged professor (Peppino De Filippo). A fourth episode, "Renzo and Luciana", directed by Mario Monicelli, was cut from U.S. release. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The brilliant Italian screen comedian Toto stars in the modestly titled Il Piu Comico Spettacolo de Mondo (Funniest Show on Earth). Lensed in 3D, the film is a broad spoof of Cecil B. DeMille's The Greatest Show on Earth, with Toto essaying the James Stewart role as a fugitive from justice posing as a circus clown. Marc Lawrence, that pockmarked specialist in gangster roles, is incongruously but amusingly cast in the Charlton Heston part as the circus manager, while Tania Weber lampoons Betty Hutton as the show's star trapeze artist. Also on hand is May Britt, who went on to American fame as the wife of Sammy Davis Jr. Anthony Quinn and Silvana Magnano make guest appearances as audience members revelling in Toto's tried-and-true comedy routines. Il Piu Comico Spettacolo del Mondo sets up more subplots than a Dickens novel, then abruptly comes to a halt, resolving absolutely nothing. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi