I'm pleasantly impressed by the positive general judgments and reviews about this magnificent film (especially as also expressed by non-Italians), the reason being the fact that it's a comedy subtly concealed by many 'dialect' puns (sometimes even extended to various European languages ...). I would like to add to all the other reviews just one important element: the one related to the song that 'inspired' this film, and that has encouraged a whole genre in the following years in Italy. The song 'Malafemmina' was written - and often sung - by Totò himself (a 'Princely' poet as well). The term 'malafemmina' has many shades, and does not necessarily have to be referred to a woman's moral habits, but in this case it should be understood more as a 'cruelty of heart' attributed to women who does not care about the evil she can do to those who happen to be caught between their 'clutches' ... The film is the result of a perfect mix of situations that allow two great products from the Italian revue theater to express their full potential and in some cases genius. Genius manifests itself only when the conditions for its emergence are created, and therefore everyone is deserving in this film, because everyone contributed to the end result: comical perfection! If something special about this movie has to remain in you, that is just the song itself: listen carefully to it, and if you do not know the language then look for a translation on the web ... And an additional advice, look for another poem of Totò's, possibly in your own language: 'a livella (ie: the bubble level) ... It will help you understand why Totò (also the 'Prince' ... of laughter) was so great.
P.S. For those who aren't acquainted with the subject, it's useful to know that Totò was indeed entitled to 'princedom' in sheer terms of heraldry. That's the reason for so many allusions as of above.
P.S. For those who aren't acquainted with the subject, it's useful to know that Totò was indeed entitled to 'princedom' in sheer terms of heraldry. That's the reason for so many allusions as of above.