''Even Angels Eat Beans'' (Italian: ''Anche gli angeli mangiano fagioli'') is a

1973 Events January * January 1 - The United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and Denmark enter the European Economic Community, which later becomes the European Union. * January 15 – Vietnam War: Citing progress in peace negotiations, U.S. ...

Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance language *** Regional Ita ...

comedy film A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. Films in this style traditionally have a happy ending (black comedy being an exception). Comedy is one of the ol ...

written and directed by

Enzo Barboni Enzo Barboni (7 July 1922 – 23 March 2002), sometimes credited by his pseudonym E.B. Clucher; the surname of his grandmotherp. 115 Wong, Alzia S. ''Spaghetti Westerns: A Viewer's Guide (National Cinemas)'' Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (15 ...

with

Giuliano Gemma Giuliano Gemma (2 September 1938 – 1 October 2013) was an Italian actor. He is best known internationally for his work in Spaghetti Westerns, particularly for his performances as the title character in Duccio Tessari's ''A Pistol for Ringo'' (1 ...

and

Bud Spencer Carlo Pedersoli (31 October 1929 – 27 June 2016), known professionally as Bud Spencer, was an Italian actor, professional swimmer and water polo player. He was known for action-comedy and Spaghetti Western roles with his long-time film partn ...

. It was awarded with the Golden Screen Award in 1974. The film produced a sequel in 1974, ''Charleston'' (''

Anche gli angeli tirano di destro ''Charleston'' (original title: ''Anche gli angeli tirano di destro'') is a 1974 Italian buddy comedy film written and directed by Enzo Barboni. The film is the sequel of ''Even Angels Eat Beans'', with Ricky Bruch (at his film debut) who replace ...

''), still directed by Enzo Barboni. Spencer refused to reprise his role, and was replaced with

Ricky Bruch Björn Rickard "Ricky" Bruch (; 2 July 1946 – 30 May 2011) was a Swedish discus thrower, poet and actor. Career Bruch was born in Örgryte, Gothenburg, grew up in Skåne, and was later a long-time resident of Malmö. His main discipline was th ...

Plot

New York, 1930s. Sonny is a former ice cream man who fell on hard luck. While working as a cleaner in a gym, he meets Charlie Smith, a wrestler. The two become fast friends, although they have very different characters, Charlie being blunt and aloof, and Sonny being narcissistic and too prone to womanizing. One day they get hired by a mobster, Angelo, to hit a gambler but they erroneously beat up a US Senator instead, who in turns declares a war towards the underworld. To save them from the heat, Angelo sends Charlie and Sonny to

little Italy Little Italy is a general name for an ethnic enclave populated primarily by Italians or people of Italian ancestry, usually in an urban neighborhood. The concept of "Little Italy" holds many different aspects of the Italian culture. There are s ...

to work as debt collectors. Here, however, they befriend the Geraces, a poor family, and decide to help them by beating up two other collectors sent by a rival of Angelo, Mr. Colosimo. The event triggers a bitter conflict between Angelo and Colosimo. Eventually the police, led by Captain Mackintosh, intervenes to stop the bloodshed. Mackintosh is initially determined to jail Charlie and Sonny for their involvement. However, when Charlie and Sonny discovers that Mackintosh is somehow implicated with Angelo and Colosimo in their business, he is forced to let them go. Following their acquittal, Charlie returns to wrestling, and Sonny agrees on being his trainer.

Production

The film was originally intended as a vehicle for

and

Terence Hill Terence Hill (born Mario Girotti; 29 March 1939) is an Italian actor, film director, screenwriter and producer. He began his career as a child actor and gained international fame for starring roles in action and comedy films, many with longtim ...

, but Hill dropped out of the project as he was concerned about overexposure. Principal photography took place in New York and Rome. The soundtrack was composed by Guido and Maurizio De Angelis, and produced a minor hit with the single ''Angel and Beans'' performed by the American-Italian pop duo Kathy & Gulliver.

Cast

: Sonny *

: Charlie Smith *

Robert Middleton Robert Middleton (born Samuel G. Messer, May 13, 1911 – June 14, 1977) was an American film and television actor known for his large size, beetle-like brows, and a deep, booming voice (for which he was known as "Big Bob Middleton"), usually ...

: Angelo *

Víctor Israel Víctor Israel born José María Soler Vilanova (13 June 1929 – 19 September 2009) was a Spanish film actor. He appeared in more than 140 films, beginning in 1961. He died on 19 September 2009 aged 80 in Barcelona. Selected filmography ...

: Judah *Bill Vanders: Captain Mackintosh *

Steffen Zacharias Steffen Zacharias (April 11, 1927 – June 6, 1989) was a German-born Greek American character actor known for his roles in films and television in America and Italy. Biography Born in Germany to Greek parents, Zacharias grew up in the United ...

: Mr. Gerace *Margherita Horowitz: Ms. Gerace *Lara Sender: Mr & Ms Gerace's Daughter *

Luigi Bonos Luigi Bonos (1910–2000) was an Italian comedian and stage, television and film actor. He appeared in more than 70 films between 1945 and 1992. Born in Berlin, Germany, the son of two Hungarian circus artists, along with his brothers Vitto ...

: Italian Merchant *

George Rigaud Pedro Jorge Rigato Delissetche,George Rigaud

: Senator O'Riordan *

Gérard Landry Landry Fernand Charles Marrier de Lagatinerie (16 October 1912 – 18 September 1999), known professionally as Gérard Landry, was an Argentinian actor. He began acting in 1932 with his first movie ''Mirages de Paris'', acted for over fifty ...

: Spectator at the Wrestling contest *

Riccardo Pizzuti Riccardo Pizzuti (born 28 May 1934) is an Italian actor and stuntman. He is known for playing the role of gunfighter Morton Clayton in the 1972 film ''Man of the East''. Pizzuti appeared in ''They Call Me Trinity'', and its sequel ''Trinity Is ...

: "The Cobra" *

Mario Brega is a character created by Japanese video game designer Shigeru Miyamoto. He is the title character of the ''Mario'' franchise and the mascot of Japanese video game company Nintendo. Mario has appeared in over 200 video games since his creat ...

: Angelo's Weapon Master *

Alvaro Vitali Alvaro Vitali (; born 3 February 1950) is an Italian actor. He was an electrician until he was discovered by Federico Fellini and played a small part in ''Satyricon'' (1969), it led to other roles, notably in the movie '' Amarcord'' (1973). I ...

: Tailor Assistant

References

External links

* 1973 films 1970s crime comedy films Italian crime comedy films 1970s Italian-language films English-language Italian films Films scored by Guido & Maurizio De Angelis Mafia comedy films Films set in the 1930s Films set in the United States Italian buddy comedy films 1970s buddy comedy films 1973 comedy films 1970s American films 1970s Italian films {{comedy-crime-film-stub