La cena delle beffe

Otherwise known as 'Jester's Supper' this film of Alessandro Blassetti is adapted from the play by Sem Benelli and set in the nest of vipers which is the 15th Century court of Lorenzo di Medici. It looks stunning courtesy of the production design and art direction of Virgilio Marchi and Ferdinando Ruffo with a luscious score by Guiseppe Becce.

Heart-throb Amadeo Nazzari plays against type as an unconscionable thug and Clara Calamai is suitably seductive. She astonished everyone of course with her next performance as Giovanna in Visconti's 'Ossessione'. I am none too sure if Oswaldo Valenti ever appeared on stage but judging by his performance in this as the vengeful Giannetto he would have made a marvellous Iago.

Extremely popular at the time the film is mainly remembered now for the blink-or-you-miss-it topless scene and more shockingly for the summary execution by partisans of husband and wife team Oswaldo Valenti and Luisa Ferida for alleged collaboration with the Fascists.

All-in-all a bizarre, outrageous and eminently watchable opus from one of Italy's most dependable directors.