Dónde está la libertad (1952)

A vehicle to showcase the comedic talents of the noted Neapolitan comedian Totò.

"Dov'e La Liberta" starts with Salvatore(Toto), a barber by trade, finding himself on trial very soon after being released on parole after serving 22 years behind bars. That alone might not seem that unusual but the fact that he was caught trying to break back in certainly is. As he tries to explain it, he finds Rome much changed from when he remembered it, especially in how tall the women have gotten.(Salvatore spent all of World War II in prison and I can think of no better hiding place.) One young woman(Nita Dover) introduces him to the wild world of marathon dancing. Directed by Roberto Rossellini, "Dov'e La Liberta" is a spirited satire that I at first thought was going to be about an ex-con's trouble in adjusting to life outside of prison. While there is some of that, the movie takes lighter aim at post-war Italy. That having been said, Salvatore's crime of passion is no laughing matter. Whatever one thinks of him(and the movie likes him. With that chin, is it any wonder?), it should be remembered that he has served his time and should be given another chance.