Come fu che l'ingordigia rovinò il Natale a Cretinetti

Plot

In this delightful Christmas comedy, the perpetually greedy Cretinetti receives a magnificent Christmas feast but his insatiable appetite leads to disastrous consequences. After consuming an enormous amount of food, Cretinetti's stomach becomes so distended that he cannot move, causing chaos throughout his household as family members try to help him. The gluttonous protagonist's Christmas celebration spirals into farcical disaster as his greed prevents him from enjoying the holiday with his loved ones. Ultimately, Cretinetti learns a valuable lesson about moderation and the true meaning of Christmas through his painful and humiliating experience. The film combines physical comedy with moral messaging in classic silent cinema style.

Historical Background

This film was produced during the golden age of Italian cinema, when Italy was one of the world's leading film-producing nations. In 1910, the Italian film industry was experiencing unprecedented growth, with companies like Itala Film competing internationally with French and American studios. The period saw the emergence of film genres and star systems, with characters like Cretinetti becoming some of the first recognizable film personalities. Christmas was becoming increasingly commercialized in Europe, and films like this reflected and shaped emerging holiday traditions. The technical sophistication of Italian studios at this time was remarkable, with Turin serving as a major center of film production. This film also represents the early internationalization of cinema, with a French star creating iconic work in Italy for global distribution.

Making Of

The making of this film showcased the sophisticated production capabilities of Itala Film in 1910. André Deed, having established himself as a comedy sensation in France, brought his physical comedy skills to Italian cinema where he found even greater success. The filming required elaborate practical effects to depict Cretinetti's expanding stomach, which were achieved through padding and camera tricks that were innovative for the time. The Christmas feast scenes were filmed over multiple days to maintain the freshness of the food props, a significant expense for a short comedy of this era. Deed's method of combining slapstick with subtle character work influenced the development of film comedy across Europe. The production team faced challenges in creating believable physical comedy effects within the technical limitations of 1910 filmmaking equipment.

Visual Style

The cinematography, while typical of 1910, showed the sophistication of Itala Film's technical capabilities. The camera work employed medium shots to capture the physical comedy while maintaining clarity of the actors' expressions. The Christmas feast scenes utilized careful lighting to highlight the elaborate food displays and create a festive atmosphere. Camera positioning was strategic to emphasize the physical comedy, particularly in scenes showing Cretinetti's expanding stomach. The film used simple but effective editing techniques to enhance the comedic timing, with cuts timed to punctuate physical gags. The visual style balanced the need for clear storytelling with the artistic presentation of the Christmas setting.

Innovations

The film showcased several technical innovations for its time, particularly in the realm of special effects for comedy. The expanding stomach effect was achieved through clever use of padding and camera angles that created a convincing illusion. The production utilized Itala Film's advanced lighting equipment to properly illuminate the elaborate Christmas sets, a significant technical achievement for 1910. The film's editing demonstrated sophisticated understanding of comedic timing, with cuts precisely synchronized to physical gags. The seamless integration of multiple camera setups for different scenes showed the growing technical sophistication of Italian film production. The practical effects used in the feast scenes demonstrated innovative approaches to creating visual comedy within the technical constraints of early cinema.

Music

As a silent film, it would have been accompanied by live musical performance during theatrical exhibition. Typical screenings would feature piano or organ accompaniment, with musicians improvising appropriate music for the comedic and holiday themes. For Christmas scenes, popular carols and festive melodies would likely have been incorporated. The physical comedy sequences would have been accompanied by lively, rhythmic music to enhance the comedic effect. Some prestigious theaters might have employed small orchestras for the accompaniment. The music would have been crucial in establishing the film's tone and helping audiences understand the emotional beats of the story.

Memorable Scenes

• The elaborate Christmas feast scene where Cretinetti's eyes grow larger at the sight of the food spread
• The sequence showing Cretinetti's stomach progressively expanding as he continues eating
• The chaotic aftermath where family members attempt to help the immobilized Cretinetti
• The final scene where Cretinetti, having learned his lesson, modestly enjoys a simple Christmas meal

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised the film for its inventive physical comedy and timely Christmas theme. Italian trade journals of the period highlighted André Deed's remarkable comic timing and the film's impressive production values. French critics, familiar with Deed's earlier work, noted how his comedy had evolved and matured in the Italian productions. Modern film historians consider this film a significant example of early comedy cinema, particularly for its sophisticated blend of physical humor and moral messaging. The film is often cited in studies of early international film co-production and the development of the film star system. Preservationists and silent film scholars regard it as an important artifact from a crucial period in cinema history.

What Audiences Thought

The film was enormously popular with audiences across Europe upon its release in December 1910. Christmas crowds flocked to see the latest Cretinetti adventure, making it one of the season's box office successes. Audiences particularly enjoyed the elaborate Christmas feast scenes and the increasingly absurd physical comedy as Cretinetti's greed led to his downfall. The character's universal appeal transcended language barriers, making the film popular in both Italian and international markets. Contemporary accounts describe audiences laughing uproariously at the screening, with some theaters reportedly having to show the film multiple times per day to meet demand. The film's moral message about Christmas and greed resonated strongly with audiences of the period.

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