I Vitelloni

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 "l"!

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

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 ass all the way to the church.

You bastard!

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.

Rate this script:5.0 / 1 vote