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Directed by: Mario Costa
Script by: Gigliola Falluto and Giovanni Grimaldi
Genre: Comedy (B&W)
Duration: 1h 52’
Nationality: Italy
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| Cast: Alberto Sordi (Alfonso Pasti), Nino Taranto (Giuseppe Pasti), Isa Miranda (Caterina Marchetti), Mario Riva (Cesaretto Pasti), Riccardo Billi (Michelino Pasti), Rita Giannuzzi (Helene Marigny), Sergio Raimondi (Piero Pasti), Turi Pandolfini, Diana De (Clara). |
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A telegram from South Africa makes five brothers gather together and their life more lively. The telegram announces that an old uncle has died and his widow is coming to Italy. Except one, all the other brothers make every effort not to meet their aunt, who is supposed to be old. But here is the surprise: a young woman arrives accompanied with another young woman, driving a Cadillac. Also the uncle’s will surprises the brothers. At the end, the aunt lays her cards on the table and everything is solved.
Italy, 1957.
Nino Taranto
As one of the worthiest “sons” of Naples, Nino Taranto was born in Naples on 28th August 1907, throwing himself into the “stage” when he was still very young. With his first initiatives, he soon announced to the world that his destiny as an artist was settled. In this way, he entered the world of those great Neapolitan artists who have first learnt to act and then to walk, such as De Filippo, Fumo, Maggio, Di Napoli and many other. His wit and intelligence led him to acquire that particular characterization which makes an artist become a genius. For many years he wore a straw hat which has helped him to become famous. Contrarily to other artists (the straw hat was trendy at the time), he cut his hat into small sections in its frontal brim in order to assume a singular appearance. That straw hat has accompanied him throughout his entire career in the show business, where he gained a great number of rewards, especially in a show. Actor, singer, character actor (the character Ciccio Formaggio is unforgettable), he could not be ignored and then “kidnapped” by the Neapolitan melodrama or “sceneggiata” company of Cafiero-Fumo. Thanks to the genre of the “sceneggiata”, Taranto could form a performance character of his kind, characterized by mime, improvisation and a high professional level. He aimed at the maximum professional seriousness and abnegation towards his profession. Nino Taranto could devote himself to the “rivista”, a typical variety show, where he imposed his character and his great verve and obtained a wide consensus. From the stage, he soon moved to the cinematographic studios, where the encounter with the Italian “Prince” of comedy, Antonio De Curtis with the stage name of Totò, consecrated and offered him to a much wider audience. With Totò, Taranto literally exploded and, though acting as someone’s stooge, has always been able to carve out a niche for himself without being overwhelmed by the greatness of the Prince. Among his most important interpretations, we should remember: “I pompieri di Viggiù”, “Il monaco di Monza”, the unforgettable "Totò truffa '62" and "Totò contro Maciste".
Nino Taranto said the funeral oration in honour of Totò at the Church of the Carmine at 17,00 of 17th April 1967: "My dear friend, this is not a monologue, but a dialogue because I am sure you can hear me and reply to me. Your voice is deep in my heart, in the heart of this Naples whi has come to say goodbye to you, to thank you because you have honoured it. Because you never forgot it, because, from the stage of your life, you managed to free the city from the melancholy which envelops it. My dear friend, you made your city smile, you were great, you gave joy, happiness, the fun of an hour, a day, which Naples needs so much. Your Neapolitans, your audience is all here. They wanted their Totò to do in Naples his last "sold out” of his career and you, king of good humour, this time you are making all of us cry. Good bye Totò, good bye, my good friend. Naples, your broken-hearted Naples wants you to know that you have been one of his best sons and shall never forget you. Good bye, my dear friend, good bye Totò".
Nino ended his career on the stage of Sannazzaro theatre, in the company of Luisa Conte, with very extraordinary performances.
Nino Taranto died in Neaples on 23rd February 1986.
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