''My Darling Slave'' ( it, La schiava io ce l'ho e tu no, "The emaleslave, I have her and you don't", also known as ''The Slave'') is a 1973 Italian

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 Capitani Giorgio Capitani (29 December 1927 – 25 March 2017) was an Italian film director and screenwriter. He directed 40 films between 1954 and 2012. He also wrote for 12 films. He was born in Paris, France. Selected filmography * ''The Flame T ...

. It stars

Lando Buzzanca Gerlando "Lando" Buzzanca (24 August 1935 – 18 December 2022) was an Italian stage, film, and television actor whose career spanned 65 years. Life and career Early years Born in Palermo the son of a cinema projectionist, at 16 years old Buz ...

Catherine Spaak Catherine Spaak (3 April 1945 – 17 April 2022) was a French-born Italian actress and singer who acted in mostly in Italian films with some Hollywood and international productions. She is best known for her roles in the films ''Il Sorpasso'' (1 ...

, and Adriana Asti.

Plot

Demetrio Cultrera (

), is a young, rich car dealership Sicilian bachelor who becomes engaged to the beautiful (and also rich) Rosalba Giordano (

), daughter of a local business owner Giordano Tuna Company . After their wedding, Rosalba's attitude changes when she decides to try turning Demetrio into the modern husband she would like. This causes a problem, as Demetrius prefers sticking to what he sees as more traditional gender roles. Despite her attempts, Rosalba's persistent attempts to convert him to the rituals of high society, enlightened, or feminine tastes do little more than annoy him. Strongly determined to build a stable relationship with a woman who can fulfill his visions of peaceful married life, he leaves for the Amazon, where he is offered the opportunity to choose and buy a new wife as a slave. The choice falls on the beautiful and docile Manua (

Veronica Merin Veronica, Veronika, etc., may refer to: People * Veronica (name) * Saint Veronica * Saint Veronica of Syria Arts and media Comics and literature * ''Veronica'', an 1870 novel by Frances Eleanor Trollope * ''Veronica'', a 2005 novel by Mary Gaits ...

) that he trains to act the way he would like, then proudly shows to friends and to his former wife, attracting curiosity, envy, and his ex-wife's resentment.

Cast

as Demetrio Cultrera car dealership *

as Rosalba Giordano of Giordano

tuna A tuna is a saltwater fish that belongs to the tribe Thunnini, a subgrouping of the Scombridae (mackerel) family. The Thunnini comprise 15 species across five genera, the sizes of which vary greatly, ranging from the bullet tuna (max length: ...

enterprise * Adriana Asti as Elena *

as Manua, the slave *

Gordon Mitchell Gordon Mitchell (born Charles Allen Pendleton; July 29, 1923 – September 20, 2003) was an American actor and bodybuilder who made about 200 B movies. Biography Charles Allen Pendleton was born in Denver, Colorado, and began working out in hi ...

as Von Thirac *

Gianni Bonagura Gianfelice "Gianni" Bonagura (27 October 1925 – 8 October 2017) was an Italian actor and voice actor. Life and career Born in Milan, Bonagura was active on film, stage, television and radio. He appeared in 40 films between 1950 and 2001. ...

as Balzarini *

Paolo Carlini Paolo Carlini (6 January 1922 – 3 November 1979) was an Italian stage, television and film actor. He appeared in 45 films between 1940 and 1979. He is perhaps best-known to international audiences for his supporting role as the hairdresser ...

as Manlio *

Renzo Marignano Renzo Marignano (26 March 1923 - 25 November 1987), sometimes credited as Renzo Marignani, was an Italian actor and film director. Born in Genoa, after World War II Marignano was one of the founders of ''Cimofilm'', a production company speciali ...

as Corrado * Corrado Olmi as A passenger

leather Leather is a strong, flexible and durable material obtained from the tanning, or chemical treatment, of animal skins and hides to prevent decay. The most common leathers come from cattle, sheep, goats, equine animals, buffalo, pigs and hogs, ...

merchant A merchant is a person who trades in commodities produced by other people, especially one who trades with foreign countries. Historically, a merchant is anyone who is involved in business or trade. Merchants have operated for as long as indust ...

* Filippo De Gara as A passenger * Tom Felleghy as Hotel

concierge A concierge () is an employee of a multi-tenant building, such as a hotel or apartment building, who receives guests. The concept has been applied more generally to other hospitality settings and to personal concierges who manage the errands of ...

* Maria Tedeschi as old passenger *

Mauro Vestri Mauro may refer to: Given name * Mauro (footballer, born 1932), Brazilian footballer * Mauro Silva (footballer, born 1978), Brazilian footballer * Mauro (footballer, born 1984), Portuguese footballer * Bruno Mauro (born 1973), Angolan footballer ...

priest A priest is a religious leader authorized to perform the sacred rituals of a religion, especially as a mediatory agent between humans and one or more deities. They also have the authority or power to administer religious rites; in particu ...

* Empedocle Buzzanca as mafia boss Don Vincenzo * Alfonso Giganti as train passenger * Giuseppe Marrocco as deputy Tacconis * Empedocle Buzzanca as Mafia's boss

References

External links

* * *
Review at ReelBad
1973 films 1970s Italian-language films 1970s sex comedy films Commedia sexy all'italiana Films scored by Piero Umiliani 1973 comedy films 1970s Italian films {{1970s-Italy-film-stub