Siamo tutti inquilini (literally: We are all tenants) is a 1953 Italian comedy film directed by Mario Mattoli and starring Aldo Fabrizi.
Contents
Production
The film is a 98 minute black and white that was produced for Documento.
Plot
Anna has been since childhood the housemaid of an old lady, and has inherited from her a beautiful condo. She now works in a café, but struggles to keep up with the expenses of the luxurious housing complex. She is alone in the world and apart from her loving fiance Carlo, only the wise caretaker of the building Augusto shows her some fatherly affection.
The greedy and tyrannical administrator of the building, the dentist Talloni, would like to exploit the financial difficulties of Anna to buy her out, offering through a figurehead to acquire the condo much below its real value. Augusto and the lawyer Sassi figure out the scheme and decide to defend Anna's interests. First, they manage to delay the official decision to force repayment of her debts for few days while they try to secure her a loan through the bank or through the richer acquaintance of a well-off neighbor. They also come up with the idea for Anna to rent out the apartment to an older couple while remaining staying on as housemaid and caretaker of the property.
None of this presents a complete solution for the young girl's problems, and everybody must simultaneously manage other complications: Sassi worries about his jealous wife's reaction to his excessive involvement; and Augusto must protect his job from both Talloni's intention to fire him because of his attempts to help Anna and from a poorer friend who wants his job. The building's other tenants seem generally well-disposed but they are also very self-absorbed. However, Augusto's selfless efforts, including mild trickery, gather all neighbors to a crucial meeting where the course of action for Anna's debt should be decided. Talloni's corrupt plans are eventually exposed and a compromise arrangement is reached.
Cast
Aldo Fabrizi as Augusto, the caretaker
Anna Maria Ferrero as Anna Perrini, heiress of a luxurious apartment where she had been serving as housemaid
Enrico Viarisio as the lawyer Sassi
Tania Weber as Lulù
Nino Pavese as the denstist Talloni, administrator of the housing complex
Maria Pia Casilio as Una cameriera
Alberto Talegalli as Il venditore di uova
Giuseppe Porelli
Bice Valori as Una cameriera
Maurizio Arena as Carlo, boyfriend of Anna
Gemma Bolognesi
Turi Pandolfini
Peppino De Filippo as Antonio Scognamiglio, idler friend of Augusto who would like to take his place as caretaker