Ridi pagliaccio

Here's an interesting precursor to the giallo film, a nicely done murder mystery from director Camillo Mastrocinque. In 1815 Italy, a rich banker is killed under strange circumstances. The motive seems to be to get hold of some gold hidden inside a cuckoo clock. Vittorio De Sica heads the cast of this complex mystery, in which a huge, American-manufactured cuckoo clock is purchased by a European banker for the express purpose of smuggling gold into England. Set during the early 19th century, "The Cuckoo Clock" is lovely to look at but a bit thin dramatically. This Italian historical melodrama was acquired for US distribution by MGM-who promptly shelved the film for several months in reflection of mounting anti-Mussolini sentiments in the US.

Saverio Luparello is the manager of Sicilian baron Occipinti's estate. The cunning greedy man intentionally lets the land turn into a wasteland, hoping that his employer, discouraged by its low returns, will sell his earth to him for next to nothing. His plans are thwarted by a share cropper, Diego Costa, who farms his lot zealously and to good results. Luparello's three sons try to scare the Costas out of their farm but they are defended by Don Salvatore, the innkeeper and leader of the local Mafia. The next day, Andrea, the oldest son, indirectly causes the death of Diego and Wanda Costa. Don Salvatore has him eliminated and has Saro Costa, the honest share-farmers' ten-year-old son,sent to America. Fifteen years later, Saro, now a handsome well-built young man, is back.

Giovanna leaves her husband and son for a short holiday and casually finds an old boyfriend in trouble.

Bianca, a rich heiress, being an orphan, lives in her palace with her guardian uncle and cousin Olga.

A young man, despite his qualification, can not find work and, after several attempts, asks a classmate, who is secretary of the President of an important Hungarian bank, to make him have a desk in his room and to do so pass for an employee.