In the early 1950's it seems that American prestige internationally was at its highest ! Americans could do nothing wrong ! They were the best ! So the youth in those times tried to emulate American customs,habits and musical taste's ! And Nando Mericoni in this film is no exception ! He loves America/Americans so much so, that he constantly talks in a Italianised version of American English, which for Italians is very amusing to hear, but would leave foreigners unamused ! Apparently Alberto Sordi learnt this speech from when American troops when they occupied Rome in 1944. (Americans must understand that film is really is making fun not of Americans, rather of the Italian youth gone completely crazy for anything American) !. The most famous and legendary scene is when after seeing an American western film,he walks home imitating John Wayne,in his pseudo American....comes into his kitchen insisting to eat cornflakes with ketchup ! "just like how the Americans do !" ..inevitably he finds it disgusting , and launches himself on a big bowl of spagetti with the phrase "Mi hai provocato, me te magno,..te distruggo !" (in Roman dialect "you have provoked me,I'll eat you,I'll destroy you !"). This scene was filmed with only one shot/take so perfect was Alberto's Sordi's performance, that the film Director Steno, had to be led away because he was laughing so much !
At the end of the film,Nando ends up on top of Colloseum threatening to kill himself, if he doesn't get permission to go to America !
The American Consul is sent up to reason with him, but ends up beating him, for having some weeks before caused an accident in which the consul broke his arm ! Great film, in the best Italian comedy tradition,after nearly 50 years this film is still seen, and is found everywhere in Italy on videotape ! But I think foreigners won't like this film , ....too bad for them !! My vote is 9.
At the end of the film,Nando ends up on top of Colloseum threatening to kill himself, if he doesn't get permission to go to America !
The American Consul is sent up to reason with him, but ends up beating him, for having some weeks before caused an accident in which the consul broke his arm ! Great film, in the best Italian comedy tradition,after nearly 50 years this film is still seen, and is found everywhere in Italy on videotape ! But I think foreigners won't like this film , ....too bad for them !! My vote is 9.