''The Moralist'' (

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 ...

: ''Il moralista'') is a

1959 Events January * January 1 - Cuba: Fulgencio Batista flees Havana when the forces of Fidel Castro advance. * January 2 - Lunar probe Luna 1 was the first man-made object to attain escape velocity from Earth. It reached the vicinity of E ...

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 ...

directed by Giorgio Bianchi. Starring

Alberto Sordi Alberto Sordi (15 June 1920 – 24 February 2003) was an Italian actor, voice actor, singer, comedian, director and screenwriter. Early life Born in Rome to a schoolteacher and a musician and the last of five children, Sordi was named in hon ...

and

Vittorio de Sica Vittorio De Sica ( , ; 7 July 1901 – 13 November 1974) was an Italian film director and actor, a leading figure in the neorealist movement. Four of the films he directed won Academy Awards: ''Sciuscià'' and ''Bicycle Thieves'' (honorary) ...

, it satirises both the upholders of traditional sexual morality and the exploiters selling sex in a willing market.

Plot

In Rome in 1959, Agostino is the ferocious new Secretary-General of the Italian branch of the worldwide International Organization for Public Morality. A teetotal bachelor, he attacks with vigour public manifestations of sexual immorality. Neither bribes nor female charms deflect him from his crusade against lewdness in films and night clubs. So devoted is he that the aristocratic President of the Organisation even considers he might be a husband for his so far unmarried 29-year-old daughter. But both President and Secretary-General also have private lives. After Agostino denounces a night club to the police and it is closed, the mistress of the owner befriends the widowed President and introduces him to an exclusive brothel. Meanwhile, Agostino is representing Italy at the annual congress of the Organisation in Munich and, after hours, recruits a stripper to work in Rome. Visiting a theatrical agent, in reality a white slaver, he also recruits a troupe of African dancers, all illegal immigrants. Integral to the deal is that after each show they must entertain private clients. The police have been closing in on Agostino, who has a long history, and he is arrested. When the inspector says the charge is white slaving, he protests that the artistes were black.

Cast

: Agostino *

Vittorio De Sica Vittorio De Sica ( , ; 7 July 1901 – 13 November 1974) was an Italian film director and actor, a leading figure in the neorealist movement. Four of the films he directed won Academy Awards: ''Sciuscià'' and ''Bicycle Thieves'' (honorary) ...

: The O. I. M. P. President *

Franca Valeri Alma Franca Maria Norsa (31 July 1920 – 9 August 2020), known professionally as Franca Valeri, was an Italian actress, playwright, screenwriter, author, and theatre director. Life and career Born in Milan as Alma Franca Maria Norsa, she manage ...

: Virginia * Christiane Nielsen: Marga *

Mara Berni Mara Berni (born 12 June 1932) is an Italian former stage, television and film actress. Life and career Born in Brunate, Como as Mara Bernasconi, Berni debuted on stage as a child actress with the "Compagnia dei Piccoli" directed by Wanda Pet ...

: Vera Serni *

Maria Perschy Herta-Maria Perschy (23 September 1938 – 3 December 2004) was an Austrian actress whose career included performances on screen with actor Rock Hudson and on American television in both daytime and prime time. Early life Perschy was born in ...

: Monique *

Franco Fabrizi Franco Fabrizi (; 15 February 1916 – 18 October 1995) was an Italian actor. Life and career Son of a barber and a cinema cashier, Franco Fabrizi started his career as a model and an actor in fotoromanzi. Fabrizi also starred on several revu ...

: Giovanni * Piera Arico: Giovanni's Wife *

Liana Del Balzo Liana Del Balzo (4 March 1899 – 26 March 1982) was an Italian film actress. She appeared in 90 films between 1935 and 1979. She was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and died in Rome, Italy. Even making her film debut quite late, in her fort ...

: Baroness *

Vincenzo Talarico Vincenzo Talarico (28 April 1909 – 16 August 1972), was an Italian screenwriter and film actor. He wrote for 27 films between 1940 and 1966. He also appeared in 15 films between 1946 and 1964. He was born in Acri, Italy and died in Fiugg ...

: O. I. M. P. Employee * Leopoldo Trieste: Advertising Designer *

Lydia Simoneschi Lydia Simoneschi (4 April 1908 – 5 September 1981) was an Italian actress and voice actress. During her career, she gave her voice to actresses mainly during the Golden Ages. Biography Born in Rome and the daughter of silent film actor and dir ...

: Vera's Mother *

Carl Wery Carl Sebastian Martin Wery (born Wery de Lemans; 7 August 1897 in Trostberg, Upper Bavaria – 14 March 1975 in Munich) was a German actor. Selected filmography * '' No Day Without You'' (1933) * ''Anna and Elizabeth'' (1933) - Annas Vate ...

: Kruger *

Ciccio Barbi Ciccio Barbi (19 January 1919 – 26 November 1992) was an Italian film actor. Selected filmography * '' The Last Wagon'' (1943) - Young Friend of Toto (uncredited) * '' Angelina'' (1947) - (uncredited) * '' Auguri e figli maschi!'' (1951) ...

: Police Commissioner * Hazel Rogers: Herself *

Sylvia Lopez Sylvia Lopez (November 10, 1933 – November 20, 1959) was a French model and actress. Career as a model Born Tatjana Bernt, she was raised in Paris, where she began a career in modelling. Eventually she modeled for couturier Jacques Fath, ...

: Woman in the Nightclub in Munich

References

External links

* 1959 films 1959 comedy films Italian comedy films Films directed by Giorgio Bianchi 1950s Italian films {{1950s-Italy-comedy-film-stub