The Gold of Naples

Vittorio De Sica, Cesare Zavattini, and Giuseppe Marotta wrote this anthology of tales depicting various aspects of Neapolitan life, with the emphasis of poignancy and comedy: The Racketeer features Toto with a gangster as his unwanted house guest; Pizza On Credit gave Sophia Loren one of her first starring roles, as a wayward wife who loses her wedding ring; The Gambler stars De Sica in a hilarious performance as a compulsive gambler whose rich family won't give him money, so he's reduced to playing cards with the young son of his servant; Theresa features Silvana Mangano as a prostitute who discovers that a man really does have to be crazy to marry her. (Two other episodes were cut for the film's U.S. release.) ~ Nicole Gagne, All Movie Guide