Iconic scenes from 'Totò, Peppino e la malafemmina' highlight Italy's North-South divide

If you’re in the mood for a quintessential old-school Italian comedy, look no further than “Totò, Peppino e la malafemmina.” Directed in the mid-1950s by Camillo Mastrocinque, the film has stood the test of time. Starring two of Italy’s most beloved comic actors, Totò (Antonio De Curtis) and Peppino De Filippo, it is widely regarded as one of the country’s most iconic comedies, showcasing mid-century Neapolitan humor. The film also features a young Nino Manfredi at the beginning of his prolific six-decade career.

“Totò, Peppino e la malafemmina” is the story of two simple, old-fashioned brothers from Naples, Antonio and Peppino Caponi (Totò and De Filippo respectively), who embark on a trip up north to check on their young nephew Gianni. Gianni has moved to Milan and fallen for a seductive nightclub dancer named Marisa (Maria Luisa Mangini, aka Dorian Gray), whom they refer to as a “malafemmina,” meaning a “bad woman” or femme fatale. Believing she is corrupting him, Totò and Peppino travel to Milan to rescue their nephew, leading to several hilarious debacles as they navigate the unfamiliar, fast-paced world of the modern northern city.

With a sharp sense of humor, the film explores the North-South divide in Italy through exaggerated characters and situations that the commedia all’Italiana genre is known for. One of the most legendary scenes involves Totò and Peppino attempting to write a formal letter, which turns into a grammatical disaster. The scene remains a staple of Italian culture.

“Totò, Peppino e la malafemmina” uses a blend of on-location and studio filming, a common practice in Italian cinema in the 1950s. In addition to the outdoor scenes shot around the outskirts of Rome, key scenes were shot in Milan, particularly around the famous Piazza del Duomo. In one memorable scene, Antonio and Peppino, clad in outdated winter attire, wander through the bustling high fashion center, highlighting how out-of-place they are in the teeming metropolis. Much of the of the film was shot at Titanus Studios in Rome, including the interior of their home in the Neapolitan countryside.

The movie also features the tune “Malafemmena,” written by Totò himself. It became one of the most cherished Neapolitan songs ever recorded. The film would not be the classic it is today, though, without its two stars. The chemistry and comedic timing between Totò and Peppino are masterful and have influenced generations of actors that followed.

Born in 1898 in Rione Sanità, a poor area of Naples, Totò had a passion for sports as a child. Legend has it that a nose injury sustained during a football or boxing match gave him the signature look that played a major role in the personality of his characters. In 1917, he started acting locally in Napoli’s comedia dell’arte scene and wrote poetry in his dialect. In the early 1920s, he headed to Rome. Upon his arrival in the Eternal City, he enjoyed performing in avanspettacolo, a type of vaudeville show that combined music, ballet and comedy. He mastered the genre and in the ’30s founded his own company, taking it on the road. Not long after, he tackled the big screen, going on to appear in more than 100 films.

De Filippo was born in 1903 into an influential Neapolitan family. Part of a theatrical revolution in early 20th-century Naples, he helped modernize Italian theater with sharp, character-driven comedies that had a profound and multifaceted impact in Italian culture, particularly in theater, film and television. Though sometimes overshadowed by his more charismatic brother, Eduardo De Filippo, Peppino carved out his own distinct style, earning a special place in the hearts of Italians.

“Totò, Peppino e la malafemmina” is often shown on Italian television, especially during the Sunday lunch hour and around the holidays when families gather. The film is more than just a funny movie: It captures post-war Italian humor, family values and regional differences that people of all generations can relate to.

Click here to stream the film on Amazon.

-Written by Jeannine Guilyard for Fra Noi Magazine. Click here to subscribe.

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