Poor, But Handsome (Italian: Poveri ma belli) is a 1957 Italian comedy film directed by Dino Risi.
There have been two sequels, also directed by Risi and starring Marisa Allasio, Maurizio Arena and Renato Salvatori: Pretty But Poor in 1957 and Poor Millionaires in 1959 (the latter not featuring Allasio, who by then had retired from acting).
In 2008, the film was included on the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage’s 100 Italian films to be saved, a list of 100 films that "have changed the collective memory of the country between 1942 and 1978."
Contents
Plot
Romolo (Maurizio Arena) and Salvatore (Renato Salvatori) are two young men who are neighbors and friends. They live in Piazza Navona in Rome. 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
Renato Salvatori: Salvatore
Lorella De Luca: Marisa
Alessandra Panaro: Anna Maria
Memmo Carotenuto: Alvaro
Mario Carotenuto: Uncle Mario
Virgilio Riento: father of Giovanna
Ettore Manni: Ugo
Rossella Como: Ugo's current girlfriend
Aldo Valletti
Nino Vingelli
Erminio Spalla