''I Tartassati'' is an Italian

comedy Comedy is a genre of dramatic works intended to be humorous or amusing by inducing laughter, especially in theatre, film, stand-up comedy, television, radio, books, or any other entertainment medium. Origins Comedy originated in ancient Greec ...

film from 1959, directed by

Stefano Vanzina Steno, the artistic name of Stefano Vanzina (19 January 1917 – 13 March 1988), was an Italian film director, screenwriter and cinematographer. Early Life Steno's father, Alberto Vanzina was a journalist from Piedmont working for ''Corriere ...

, written by

Aldo Fabrizi Aldo Fabrizi (; born Aldo Fabbrizi; 1 November 1905 – 2 April 1990) was an Italian actor, director, screenwriter and comedian, best known for the role of the heroic priest in Roberto Rossellini's ''Rome, Open City'' and as partner of Totò in ...

, starring

Totò Antonio Griffo Focas Flavio Angelo Ducas Comneno Porfirogenito Gagliardi De Curtis di Bisanzio (15 February 1898 – 15 April 1967), best known by his stage name Totò (), or simply as Antonio de Curtis, and nicknamed ''il principe della risat ...

and

Louis de Funès Louis Germain David de Funès de Galarza (; 31 July 1914 – 27 January 1983) was a French actor and comedian. He is France's favourite actor, according to a series of polls conducted since the late 1960s, having played over 150 roles in fi ...

. The film is known under the titles ''The Overtaxed'' (English) and ''Fripouillard et Compagnie'' (French).

Plot

Mr. Pezzella (Totò) owns and runs a successful luxury clothes shop. He does not like to pay taxes, and he resorts to the services of a tax consultant (interpreted by Louis de Funès) in order minimize this expense and exploit every loophole. Unfortunately for Pezzella, the Borders and Revenue police (Guardia di Finanza) suspects his high income, and orders an inspection by marshal Topponi (Aldo Fabrizi) and brigadier Bardi. Pezzella is advised by his incompetent tax consultant to try bribing the marshal in every possible way. Pezzella's clumsy attempts and intrusiveness create many misunderstandings and comedic situations. The honest marshal remains unaffected and completes his report, which would force Pezzella to pay a heavy 15 million lire fine. As a last resort, Pezzella manages to steal the marshal's bag, with all the official documents on which the inspection is based. But in the end, perhaps moved by pity for Topponi who would get in trouble with his superiors if unable to produce the documents, and has become over time a familiar figure and is revealed to also be father of Pezzella's son love interest, the rich shop owner decides to follow instead his conscience and to return the bag, facing any charges.

Cast

: Torquato Pezzella, director of magazine "Tessuti" *

: Fabio Topponi, the polyvalent fiscal inspector *

: Hector "Ettore" Curto, conseiller fiscal *

Anna Campori Anna Campori (22 September 1917 – 19 January 2018) was an Italian actress. From 1951 onwards, she appeared in 70 films. Life and career Born in Rome, Italy, after the debut on stage in a small company of prose Campori moved shortly after in ...

: Dora Pezzella *

Miranda Campa Miranda Campa (31 January 1914 – 7 May 1989) was a Swiss-born Italian actress and voice actress. Life and career Born Liliana Campa Capodaglio in Geneva, the niece of actors Pio Campa and Wanda Capodaglio, Campa studied acting at the ...

: L'épouse de Fabio *

Luciano Marin Luciano Marin (9 December 1931 – 12 November 2019) was an Italian actor. He appeared in more than twenty films since 1957. Filmography References External links * 1931 births 2019 deaths Italian male film actors {{Italy-f ...

: Augustin "Tino" Pezzella *

Ciccio Barbi Ciccio Barbi (19 January 1919 – 26 November 1992) was an Italian film actor. Selected filmography * '' The Last Wagon'' (1943) - Young Friend of Toto (uncredited) * '' Angelina'' (1947) - (uncredited) * ''Auguri e figli maschi!'' (1951) - ...

: the brigadier *

Anna Maria Bottini Anna Maria Bottini (24 March 1916 – 9 August 2020) was an Italian actress. Biography Bottini attended the Accademia dei Filodrammatici in Milan, where she graduated in 1936, beginning her acting career at the end of World War II. A character a ...

: Mara * Cathia Caro: Laura, the girl of Topponi *

Jacques Dufilho Jacques Dufilho (19 February 1914 – 28 August 2005) was a French actor. He was born at Bègles (Gironde) and he died at Ponsampère (Gers). Life and career Dufilho appeared in 65 French productions. Moreover, he was frequently seen in Italian ...

: the director of the prison *

Elena Fabrizi Elena "Lella" Fabrizi (; born Elena Fabbrizi; 17 June 1915 – 9 August 1993), popularly known as Sora Lella ( Romanesco for "Mrs. Lella"), was an Italian stage, television and film actress, and a television personality. She was both a Silver Rib ...

: Une infirmière *

Ignazio Leone Ignazio Leone (19 April 1923 – 30 December 1976) was an Italian film actor. He appeared in 105 films between 1952 and 1976. Selected filmography * '' The Walk'' (1953) * '' I Chose Love'' (1953) * '' Amici per la pelle'' (1955) * '' A Wo ...

: the guard - village *

Fernand Sardou Fernand Sardou (18 September 1910 – 31 January 1976La Gloire de Pagnol
p. 235.) was a French singer an ...

: Ernesto Topponi, l'oncle de Laura * Jean Bellanger: the security guard of the prison *

: L'épouse de fabio *

Nando Bruno Nando Bruno (6 October 1895 – 10 April 1963) was an Italian film actor. He appeared in 84 films between 1938 and 1961. He was born in Rome, Italy and he died there. Selected filmography * '' A Lady Did It'' (1938) - Un collego di Pasqual ...

: L'Ubracio *

Piera Arico Piera () is a municipality that covers a large portion of the southeastern corner of the comarca of Anoia in Catalonia, Spain, on the left bank of the Anoia river. The agricultural land, mostly non-irrigated, is used for the cultivation of cerea ...

* Gianni Cobelli * Mario Corbelli *

Cesare Fantoni Cesare Fantoni (1 January 1905 – 15 January 1963) was an Italian actor and voice actor. Biography Born in Bologna, Fantoni began his acting career in Luchino Visconti’s stage proses until making his first on-screen appearance in 1937. ...

* Lamberto Antinori

References

External links

* 1959 films Italian comedy films 1950s Italian-language films Italian black-and-white films Films directed by Stefano Vanzina Films set in Rome Films with screenplays by Ruggero Maccari 1959 comedy films 1950s Italian films Italian-language comedy films {{1950s-Italy-comedy-film-stub