''Poveri ma belli'' (U.S. title: ''Poor, But Handsome''; U.K. title: ''A Girl in Bikini'') is a successful

1957 1957 ( MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar, the 1957th year of the Common Era (CE) and ''Anno Domini'' (AD) designations, the 957th year of the 2nd millennium, the 57th year of the 20th century, and the 8th year ...

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 ...

directed by

Dino Risi Dino Risi (23 December 1916 – 7 June 2008) was an Italian film director. With Mario Monicelli, Luigi Comencini, Nanni Loy and Ettore Scola, he was one of the masters of ''commedia all'italiana''. Biography Risi was born in Milan. He had an o ...

. There have been two sequels, also directed by Risi and starring Marisa Allasio, Maurizio Arena and

Renato Salvatori Renato Salvatori (20 March 1933 – 27 March 1988) was an Italian actor. Born in Seravezza, Province of Lucca, Salvatori began his career in his teens playing juvenile, romantic roles. After working with directors such as Luchino Visconti, Ro ...

: '' Belle ma povere'' in 1957 and ''

Poveri milionari ''Poveri milionari'' (internationally released as ''Poor Millionaires'') is a 1959 Italian comedy film directed by Dino Risi. It is the final chapter in the trilogy started with ''Poveri ma belli''.Paolo D'Agostini, ''Dino Risi'', Editrice Il casto ...

'' in 1959 (the latter not featuring Allasio, who by then had retired from acting).

Plot

Romolo ( Maurizio Arena) and Salvatore (

) are two young men that are neighbors and friends. They live with their parents in

Piazza Navona Piazza Navona () is a public open space in Rome, Italy. It is built on the site of the Stadium of Domitian, built in the 1st century AD, and follows the form of the open space of the stadium. The ancient Romans went there to watch the '' agones' ...

Rome , established_title = Founded , established_date = 753 BC , founder = King Romulus (legendary) , image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg , map_caption ...

. They are poor but handsome, and both fall in love with the beautiful Giovanna ( Marisa Allasio). After having briefly flirted in quick succession with both friends (a situation which severely strains their feelings of comradeship), Giovanna realizes she's still in love with Ugo, her previous boyfriend, and returns with him. Romolo and Salvatore, their friendship recovered, ultimately get simultaneously engaged with each other's sister.

Cast

* Marisa Allasio: Giovanna * Maurizio Arena: Romolo *

: Salvatore * Lorella De Luca: Marisa *

Alessandra Panaro Alessandra Panaro (14 December 1939 – 1 May 2019) was an Italian film actress of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Panaro is best known for her films in the early 1960s, notably Luchino Visconti's crime drama '' Rocco e i suoi fratelli'' in 19 ...

: Anna Maria *

Memmo Carotenuto Memmo Carotenuto (23 August 1908 – 23 December 1980) was an Italian actor. He appeared in 125 films between 1941 and 1980. Selected filmography *'' The Wedding Trip'' (1969) * ''Assassination in Rome'' (1965) * '' Male Companion'' (1964 ...

: Alvaro *

Mario Carotenuto Mario Carotenuto (30 June 1916 – 14 April 1995) was an Italian actor of film and theatre. Biography Carotenuto, the son of a silent film actor and younger brother of the actor Memmo Carotenuto, took various humble jobs for many years be ...

: Uncle Mario *

Virgilio Riento Virgilio Riento (29 November 1889 – 7 September 1959) was an Italian film actor. He appeared in 108 films between 1936 and 1959. Selected filmography * ''Sette giorni all'altro mondo'' (1936) - Man on train * '' Il signor Max'' (1937) - ...

: father of Giovanna *

Ettore Manni Ettore Manni (6 May 1927 – 27 July 1979) was an Italian film actor. He appeared in more than 100 films between 1952 and 1979. Life and career Born in Rome, Manni debuted as an actor in 1952, when in spite of his acting inexperience he wa ...

: Ugo * Rossella Como: Ugo's current girlfriend * Aldo Valletti * Nino Vingelli *

Erminio Spalla Erminio Spalla (7 July 1897 – 14 August 1971) was an Italian professional heavyweight boxer, film actor and singer. Spalla studied fine arts in Brera, when in 1910 he saw film footage of the world boxing championships and decided to become a ...

External links

* 1957 films 1950s Italian-language films Italian black-and-white films Films set in Italy Films set in Rome Films shot in Rome Films directed by Dino Risi Titanus films 1957 romantic comedy films Italian romantic comedy films 1950s Italian films {{romantic-comedy-film-stub