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Our town's boardwalk.
Our last summer party: the election of Miss Mermaid 1953.
Nice crowd, no?
Visitors, tourists, and a Roman actress as judge.
Everybody's here.
And, Of course, we're here too... the guys...
This is Alberto.
This is Leopoldo, the intellectual.
And here's Moraldo, the youngest in our crowd.
Look at the lightning. It's beautiful.
The tenor's Riccardo. As always, this is pretty much his night.
And here's Fausto, our leader and spiritual guide.
Do you believe me now?
Do you think I'm that stupid? Give me my shoe.
I will, but give me a kiss.
- Let go. - Give me a kiss.
I said let go.
- Don't be so coy. - Let me go, you jerk!
The nerve!
Listen, you goose, you promised me...
- Promised you what? - That before you left...
You're so gullible. People promise a lot of things.
Think what you promised Sandra. - Sandra who? You're hallucinating.
So now you don't even know her? That's rich.
With four of five votes, Miss Mermaid 1953 is
Miss Sandra Rubini.
My little girl! Just think, you didn't even want to enter.
Your little sister won!
Go, dear, go.
Miss Mermaid 1953!
She's really excited.
Ladies and gentlemen, here from Rome is film star Lilia Landi.
She will now place the sash of Miss Mermaid 1953
on our very own beauty queen.
Party's over.
A few words for the fans.
-I... - Wonderful! She said "I"!
Look! It's lightning!
- I didn't want to compete... - It's just a passing shower.
The party'll continue. It's just a little...
The check, Mr. Alberto.
- Everyone's leaving. - At least pay your share.
- Introduce me to Lilia Landi. - Not right now!
There she is. Please.
Miss Landi, meet one of our most esteemed citizens,
playwright Leopoldo Vannucci. - Delighted.
Most honored. I've followed your career closely.
He's also our resident poet.
It's beautiful outside, like the end of the world.
Congratulations, Sandra, Mrs. Rubini.
Now you'll be in the movies.
I want you to meet my little girl.
My God! Moraldo!
- What's wrong, Mama? - Come here! Your sister's sick!
- Excuse me, please. - Get a doctor, quickly!
Mama, calm down. It's nothing. Is there a doctor around?
Yeah... Mancinelli!
Here I am. What's happened? Step aside! Let me by!
Doctor, my little girl...
Here I am. What's happened?
Get out of the way! Let me through!
It's nothing! She just needs some air.
- Look at poor Sandra! - It's nothing, Mama. Calm down.
- Fausto! Leopoldo, call Fausto! - Fausto!
Come here!
- Calm down, Mama. It's nothing, - Nothing? Look at her!
Let me through.
- What happened? - Sandra fainted.
Is she better?
- Mama. - Darling!
What's wrong?
I want to die!
What? You want to die, now that you're Miss Mermaid?
Don't say that, even as a joke! Doctor, what's wrong with her?
Answer me.
All right, everyone out!
Back already?
That's why it's raining.
What are you up to?
Papa, I gotta leave now, on business.
Remember that job offer from Milan?
Well, I've thought about it, and I'm going to take it.
At this hour?
What have you done now?
Nothing. I'm taking a job. Aren't you satisfied?
What sort of job?
With a company. They're reliable people.
By the way, can you lend me 5,000 lire for the train?
I'll pay you back when I get there.
You punk. What did you do?
What did you do?
Nothing. I just got a job.
Don't you believe me? I'm catching the 1:00 train.
I'll see who it is.
Hello, Mr. Francesco. How are you?
Hi, Moraldo. Come in.
Come on in.
Sit down.
Excuse us, Papa. Okay?
Some downpour, no? Summer's over - too bad.
Cigarette?
- You only have one left. - Never mind. I don't want it.
It'll rain for days.
Depressing, huh?
- So you're going? - Yeah, I'm splitting.
- Will you be gone long? - I don't know... depends.
And Sandra?
She's Miss Mermaid now. She must be happy.
Sandra's expecting.
Yeah, I know.
That's why I'm splitting.
I'd like to do the right thing, but how can I?
I'm broke, like you. That's why I'm going to Milan.
I wanna do something with my life.
Just till I get on my feet. Don't you believe me?
I didn't say a word.
Look, we understand each other. I really love Sandra.
I'll swear by whatever you want, by my own mother. I really love her.
It was fate.
Be honest. In my shoes, wouldn't you first try to make it on your own?
- I don't know. - You're hopeless.
Why not go with me?
We'll go together. This town's dead in winter.
If not Milan, we'll go somewhere else. We've always wanted to leave.
- Right now? - This is our big chance!
And Sandra will be thrilled, you'll see.
Let's go and talk outside.
Be quiet. Don't make any noise.
- But I... - Come on!
Turn off the light.
Papa! Excuse me, Moraldo.
Can I have that 5,000 lire?
What do you want it for?
To run out? - No, Papa.
You get in trouble and you run. I'll wring your neck.
- Papa, please... - Shut up! Come here!
What are you gonna do, Papa?
I swear I'll... Get out of my way!
You little weasel!
I swear by your poor mother that your foul escapades are over!
That girl's father is a decent guy.
Worked all his life, like me,
idiot that I am, to support his family honestly.
You'll marry her, if I have to kick your *** all the way to the church.
You ***!
What's going on, Papa?
Nothing.
Go back to bed.
You will marry her. I'll make sure of that.
Hey, Fausto.
Go ahead, laugh, idiots. My father's crying.
So they got married.
It was a lovely wedding, even if a bit hastily arranged.
Riccardo sang Ave Maria and made us all cry.
And the parish priest, who'd known us forever,
gave a very moving speech.
My children...
you can't imagine what a joy it is for me
to join you in holy matrimony.
You, dear Fausto...
and you, dear Sandra.
See? Quick and painless. Good for you.
See, Papa? I'm a married man now.
My little girl.
Hold it. Stand together.
Alberto, you're standing in front of the bride.
Don't quarrel!
Be careful crossing the streets in Rome!
What are you crying for?
- Riccardo. - I'm coming.
- Where to now? - Let's go to Marina.
Good-bye, Francesco.
Thanks, Mr. Rubini.
You'll see. Fausto's not really a bad kid.
I know.
This must be your little girl. Your youngest?
Yes, she's an angel.
Of course,
Fausto will live with us
until he can support himself and his wife.
Good day.
Why does she treat him like that?
Take us home.
Can we buy you a drink, Mr. Francesco?
No, thank you, Riccardo. I'm going home.
- Nine and two... that's 11. - 11 to 20.
You think you won?
Leopoldo, mark two points for me, please.
Leopoldo, why the long face?
I'm depressed.
What's the big deal? Just'cause those two left...
- I wonder if they're in Rome yet. - What a drag!
You gotta know your way around Rome to have any real fun.
If he'd gone with me, it'd be a different story.
A couple of phone calls and we could have had a ball.
And what about Sandra?
I meant if we were single.
If I went on a honeymoon, I'd go to Africa, like Hemingway.
Free, in the wild, in a Jeep.
Sounds fabulous.
Africa would be a real escape.
I'd go there with Esther Williams. - What about Franca Marzi?
Franca Marzi, Ginger Rogers.
Oh, I know!
Remember the surveyor's girlfriend? The one who burned her shoulder.
- The Ciuffini girl. - Yeah, Africa with her!
I'd prefer India.
Antonio.
Come on, I called you.
You're always in the way. What do you want?
You can talk all you like, but he's in Rome and we're stuck
in this dirty little rat hole.
They make a nice couple, though.
Nice couple?
She's a pretty girl,
but not Fausto, with that face!
He's tall and well built.
- And he has a decent voice. - Big deal.
We all have voices.
Didn't you have any inkling about Fausto and your sister?
To be straight about it, Fausto was a real cad.
He's a scoundrel. - I wouldn't go that far.
He's a passionate creature, driven by animal instincts.
What are you talking about? You think you're writing a play?
Fausto's just a ***... It's as if one of you went with my sister.
Now there's an idea!
Alberto, leave her alone.
***, you oughta be in bed!
What's left for us to do?
Another day has come to an end. Nothing to do but go home, as usual.
Alberto lives with his mama and sister,
and he knows that Mama waits up until he gets in.
Alberto's home.
Riccardo, as usual, stares at his growing gut.
Helluva time to walk in, you little punk!
'Night, Papa. 'Night, Mama.
After eating the meal his aunts have left for him,
Leopoldo prepares to work on his new play.
He puts on his favorite record, Fly the Night
and sits at his table.
Removing the cap of his pen, he draws a triangle
and watches his characters parade across the ceiling.
Caterina.
She's the neighbors' maid.
Hi, Caterina. How's it going?
Not so good. It's too cold out.
How are you doing? - Okay. I'm working.
Really?
What a lovely moon!
- As lovely as you. - Liar!
Why do you always play that song?
It inspires me.
Just like every other night, only Moraldo walks the empty streets.
What if I left too?
Where are you off to?
It's 3:00 a.m. Aren't you gonna sleep?
Sleep? I just got up. I always get up at 3:00.
- Why? - I go to work.
Work?
At the station.
Sit down a minute. What do you do?
What kinda work?
I just told you: I work.
- Is this a railroad cap? - Yeah.
Tell me, are you happy?
It's okay.
- Want a smoke? - Sure.
I had one here...
Sorry, I'm out. - Never mind. I gotta go.
Listen...
- How's the helmet? - Okay, it fits fine.
- Will it fly? - Sooner than my enemies think.
So it does fly! Invite me, and I'll bring a spoon to celebrate.
Olga.
Come out here for a moment.
Do me a favor. I'll pay you back on Sunday. I'm closing a deal.
Lend me 1,000 lire.
- So you'll pay me back? - Yeah.
You worked all night?
They should give you a raise. I'll have a word with the boss.
- I only have 500. - That's okay.
Thanks, Olga. See you.
Massimo and Leopoldo are off to Bologna for the trotters.
I've got an inside tip. Let's get a bet down.
A thousand would cover it. I've got 300 - how about you?
Now, even on Sundays, the beach is deserted,
Still, we'd stare out to sea.
If you were offered 10,000 lire, would you go in?
I would.
Let's go.
Let's go and watch Giudizio fish.
Come on, Riccardo.
You know who Leopoldo looks like? The priest!
Please don't tell Mama you saw me.
You said it was over with him.
Listen.
Let me go!
Quit staring, guys.
Come on, let's go watch Giudizio fish.
Hi, Alberto.
- Look... - We keep bumping into each other.
You're making me look like a jerk in front of my friends.
Your friends mocking other people? That's rich.
Ya gotta break up with that jerk!
What can you expect from him?
Nothing.
I don't expect anything. - He's got a wife!
- Stop yelling! Mama's sleeping. - He's married!
I know, but they're separated.
So what? Is he gonna marry you?
Is he gonna marry you? - Butt out, Alberto!
I can take care of myself. I know what I should do.
- You work so you can do as you please? - Yes.
No, you can't!
You're my sister!
Get your hands off me!
If you make Mama cry...
Get outta here, Alberto!
If you make Mama cry, I'll...
Then, one day, when we'd just about forgotten about him...
Hey, guys!
It's Massimo.
- Guys! Fausto's back in town. - He's really back?
- Yeah, and he's got a mustache! - Where is he?
There he is!
- Hey, boys! - Fausto, how's it going?
- How are you? - Just great, thanks.
Hi, Alberto! We've been looking for you for an hour.
Come over here, guys. I've got something amazing to show you.
- What's that? - It's a gramophone.
We saw Wanda Osiris. - She was wonderful.
Sure, it was a nice show, but let's not go overboard.
She came down this long staircase...
Quiet, quiet. Just listen to this mambo.
There was a guy who danced like this.
- Teach me. Is it hard? - Just follow me.
- Nice, isn't it? - Are you happy?
Yes, very happy.
Things would've gone on as usual
if Fausto's father-in-law hadn't come up with a crazy idea.
- Praise our Lord Jesus Christ. - Forever and ever.
My good friend, you get younger by the day.
How are you?
This must be your son-in-law.
Pleased to meet you.
Belated congratulations!
You're a lucky man.
Very lucky.
What's your name? - Fausto Moretti.
Let me be absolutely candid.
This here is my establishment. Somewhat small, perhaps...
You call this small?
Built through hard work.
Frankly, what I really need
is someone with experience: a delivery man, handyman, stock boy.
Someone who can open in the morning and close at night.
But I'd really prefer to take you on instead.
- Thank the gentleman, Fausto. - Thank you.
Don't mention it.
I'm pleased to give a young man a start in life.
Feel right at home. When can you start?
- Right now! - Now?
Sure, you can start learning the ropes.
Giulia, this is Sandra's husband. He'll be working here now.
- Hello. The truck is here. - I'll be right there.
Shouldn't he get one of these?
A work coat? I have an extra he can use right over here.
- Just to keep the dust off. - Here we are.
Wait, Giulia.
Try it on.
Mama'll make one just for you.
Something wrong? It's just been cleaned.
Button up and tie the belt.
Looks like it was tailor-made for him.
Very nice.
Now, young man, you start work.
There are crates to unload.
Get the shipping log from my wife.
And keep an eye on the men or they'll break everything.
It's fragile stuff. Get going.
- There he is. - What's he doing?
Come on, leave him alone. He'll lose his job.
How are you? Welcome back.
- You look great. - What a pretty hat.
- You just got back? - Yesterday.
- How's married life? - Where's Fausto?
- He's got a job. - He's working?
Yes, I'm on my way to meet him.
You're wise to keep an eye on him.
Why? Fausto's a good boy. He's just a little fickle.
Do you like your new place?
We're staying with Mama for now.
Of course, you had so little time.
Everything was so rushed.
You're hardly showing at all.
It's still a long way off, isn't it?
- Sorry, I've got to run. Bye. - Bye, dear.
Let's get together, and bring Fausto too.
- I came to get you. - Terrific!
Watch this.
How's that? - Bravo!
Fausto, not in public!
What's the big deal? We're married.
Guess what. Today I sold a statue this tall.
- Really? - Yes.
I'm so proud of you.
And now let's go to the movies.
- Great! - We have enough to get in?
Yes, I've got it right here.
That's my baby.
There's a couple of seats over there.
Is this okay?
Can you see?
- What a nice refrigerator. - Soon we'll get one too.
How adorable.
Looking for your cigarettes?
Thanks. I've got matches.
Know what? Papa really likes you.
This morning Mama told me
Papa is planning an addition to the house.
But it's to be a surprise. - Got it.
A light, please.
Thanks.
My pleasure.
- So we can live together. - What?
So we can live together.
Sure.
- Don't believe him, my dear. - You mean I should trust you?
I knew he found me irritating.
- Terrific, aren't they? - Yeah, really good.
Excuse me for a minute. Be right back. Hold my seat.
- You feeling okay? - I'm fine. I'll be right back.
Ma'am.
Pardon me.
Good evening, ma'am.
When will I see you again? - What do you want?
- Your phone number. - My number? Get lost.
Wait, don't shut the door. I must talk to you.
- Are you out of your mind? - I recognize you from the boardwalk.
This summer you wore that white bathing suit.
So what? I recognize you too.
You were with a young lady at the movie theater.
Not me! When can I see you again?
Get out of here. I'm a married woman.
My maid is upstairs.
Let me see you. Tomorrow night?
No. Never.
Day after tomorrow?
Then when? - Whenever we meet again.
Let's leave it to fate. Good-bye.
Please, don't go yet.
I must speak with you.
Come back. Listen.
I've got to speak with you. - Go away!
- Sandra, what are you doing here? - Where were you?
I had promised to see a guy off at the train station.
Am I late? Is the movie over?
Too bad.
How'd it end? Did she die? - No, she didn't.
- So what happened? - They got married.
What a fine actress. We saw her in that movie when we were in Rome.
What was the name of that picture?
Sandra, are you crying?
Yes, you are. What's wrong?
I'm scared.
Scared? Of what?
I don't know. I'm just scared, Fausto.
I'm sorry.
Don't, Sandrina.
Don't worry. I'm being silly. I just feel very sad.
Sandra, there's no reason.
I love you very much.
Let me hold your little hand.
I feel better now, darling.
I can't stand to see you cry.
I won't cry anymore. Just be near me.
I'll always be near you.
- Let's go home. - Yes, let's.
In the months that followed,
the most important events were Riccardo's mustache - just like Fausto's -
and Alberto's sideburns.
Fausto had, by now, shaved his mustache.
Occasionally his father and sister would pass by the shop
to see him at work.
Leopoldo worked as usual. He, in turn, cultivated a goatee.
It's scary.
I thought you'd like it.
And, at last, the eagerly awaited carnival season.
It'll be better this year. People seem anxious to celebrate.
Add a beauty mark on the other side. - Nah, one's enough.
Is my dress ready? - Yes.
Now leave me alone or your mother will kill me. I have to do the sheets.
- I need bigger ***. - I padded it in front.
Look what he's done to himself, such a good-looking boy.
- So, you're sweet on Alberto? - What a mouth.
- Alberto, she's in love with you. - Yeah, even Mama's noticed.
- Is she really loaded? - Why, do you want to marry her?
Elvira, my hat.
I don't have your hat.
So who's got it? Hold this. Mama.
You're still here? I'm ready to go now.
I'm not going.
Then let me have your hat.
Come on. - You know I don't wear hats.
What am I gonna do?
It's just not fair. When you wanna have a good time, no one helps.
Look in the trunk. You'll find something, but don't make a mess.
What's up? Why's she crying?
What's wrong? - Nothing. Just a slight headache.
You and I are gonna have it out.
Alberto, come and look. This chest is full of stuff.
Don't mess things up. Your mother will have a fit.
Riccardo, I'm sure these are the right moves. Watch me.
Who's this bearded guy?
That's my poor old man.
Leopoldo, look at these pictures.
Here's the hat.
Look what I found. - They're hilarious.
- Who is that? - I don't have a clue.
What a kook!
Look at me.
Look at Alberto!
Wanna dance? - Yes, dear.
- Mama, we're gonna dance. - Don't exert yourself.
Ever been up to the rafters in this theater?
No, and I have no desire to.
Leopoldo, wait for me!
What a coincidence - we're both Chinese.
I love you so much.
And I love you too.
- Why're you squeezing me? - That's the Chinese way.
- I'm going to get a drink. - The bar's that way.
I'll bet that one day you'll come here to see one of my plays.
I like variety shows.
- What'll you have to drink? - An orangeade.
- Antonio, an orangeade. - An orangeade, right away!
Ever been up to the rafters in this theater?
- Recognize me? - Of course I do!
Here alone? - No, with some girlfriends.
Your costume is cute.
- Excuse me. - Of course.
I made a last-minute decision to come.
We'll have a dance later. - Sure.
Gisella, wait!
Who's he?
A great writer. He's my neighbor, you know.
Whiskey, darling?
Whiskey? I want a sandwich. A large one.
Antonio, a sandwich.
Here, ma'am, just made.
Isn't this fun?
A glass of milk. - Right away, sir.
Why the ham sandwich?
- Because it's good. - You're always eating.
- I'm hungry. - It doesn't look good!
What a nice nose!
May I dance with my sister?
Go right ahead.
Lose the sandwich!
Come on.
I'm going to show her the rafters.
I'm starving.
- Cognac, Giulia? - No, no. I'm feeling dizzy already.
Good evening.
Good evening.
Having fun? - Lots. Aren't you?
Yeah.
Listen, they're playing the Sioux Mambo.
- Yes, it's a beautiful song. - May I?
Actually, I'm not alone.
- Giulia, listen. - Good evening, sir.
Why don't we go over to the other spread?
Excuse me.
Two orangeades, Antonio. Why that face?
- Did you see Michele's wife? - No, who?
My boss's wife. She's really classy. Put it on my tab, Antonio.
I don't think you've got it right.
A master like me?
- What are you staring at? - Nothing.
Where are you taking me?
- Look, it's breathtaking. - I'm getting dizzy.
- Then don't look down. - Now what?
Nothing. Tomorrow we'll go for a drive.
- I'm not going. - Of course you are.
One more kiss on that lovely neck.
Please.
You're so annoying.
Stop, stop now.