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Project Fulci (I): Contraband in Naples (1959)

We will try to a review of all the films of Lucio Fulci. The great director Roman just talking about a stage in his long career and not usually done for much of his filmography. With this project we intend to show, albeit briefly, each and every one of his works, many of them released in Spain.

begin, how could it be otherwise, with his debut, titled in Italy " I bricks." Notice the subtle difference between the Italian and English lineup.

With Giovanna Ralli, Armando Calvo, Totò, Giacomo Furia, Enzo Turco, M. Luisa Rolando, Rafael [Luis] Calvo, Juan José Menéndez, Roberto de Simone, Fred Buscaglione, Félix Fernández (na), Leopoldo Valentini (na), Maribel Alonso (na) and Mara Lasso (na).

Fulci had already in 1959 with a good list of scripts written. All were comedies, and many of them had been released by his mentor Steno images. Born Vanzina Stefano, Steno was a close associate of Mario Monicelli, with whom he co-directed several comedies. Fulci had also participated as an assistant Steno in several films. Many of his scripts were written to serve the great Totò comedy, as "L'uomo the beast and the virtù (Steno, 1953) or "Totò all'inferno (Mastrocinque Camillo, 1955). Between Fulci and the great actor over the years forged a good friendship. is why the actor was willing to participate in the first film as director Fulci. A jump to the address as the filmmaker himself, it was simply because he needed money, they had just gotten married. Of course, it was a comedy.

Totò

The plot revolves around a Vincenzo, a dock worker he finds a tin of jam with a lot of coins inside. It is part of the spoils of a gangster, Joe Castagnata, who has returned to Italy from the United States with all hidden loot that way. Vincenzo tells his wife, and is tied ropes, so they decide to visit with the intent to blackmail him. They do not, but are involved in a major theft.

Giovanna Ralli and Giacomo Furia.

So we have a gangster movie focused on a prism but funny. At the time were the despised and its close resemblance to " Rufufú "(1958), the most famous exponent of this subgenre, with whom he shared the spotlight on Totò, although in this case playing the police commissioner who must stop the malicious Castagnata. Any criticism of the time agreed that the film was quite loose and that was the highlight of her participation, specifically the Neapolitan actor.

Giacomo Furia, Giovanna Ralli, Juanjo Menéndez, Armando Calvo.

no doubt "in Naples Contraband" is below the belt Monicelli the script is under grace (and there are six credited screenwriters) and Giovanna Ralli certainly is a significant actor, but he can not compete with Claudia Cardinale. However, you can not say it's a comedy negligible. Its high points are, above all, dialogue recited by Totò, although in many cases the viewer does not catch the humor because of the Neapolitan. The scenes that resemble Totò appears to have been shot in a very short time, as almost always in the same office. And the budget that counted was scarce.

Armando Rafael Luis Calvo and Calvo.

As was done in co-production with Spain, we can see the odd national actor among the cast. Mara Lasso also see no evidence, as a party.

Roberto de Simone and Juanjo Menéndez.

Also notable is the excellent black and white photography by Manuel Berenguer and Carlo Fiore. And, of course, the participation of singer Fred Buscaglione star, who sings in his most particular way, " Che notte," in one of the most memorable scenes of the film. You can see it at the end of the post. I have not managed to find out who the girl striptease. Any help is welcome.

Giacomo Furia and Giovanna Ralli.

Armando Calvo and Totò.

Did you know ...?

In our country, opened directly in double feature. In Barcelona, \u200b\u200bin April 1960, along with "Ama Rosa " (Leon Klimovsky, 1960) and in Madrid in December, with "Hell in the city " (Renato Castellani, 1959).