Totòtruffa '62

Antonio LoRuffo, a former stage performer, supports his daughter's education by running small cons with his longtime friend Felice. They pitch schemes that are more cheeky than harmful, and Malvasia, a good natured commissioner, keeps a light eye on their activities rather than a hard crackdown. The pair juggle the thrill of pulling something over on the system with the constant worry of getting caught, all while the quality boarding school life their daughter enjoys becomes a source of pride and pressure. When their respective children fall in love, the men must weigh pride against care, and their working class ambitions against family bonds.

Directed by Camillo Mastrocinque, Totòtruffa '62 features a screenplay by Franco Castellano and Pipolo. The 1961 release showcases Totò in one of his best remembered light hearted capers.

Box office: Box office performance in Italy for its era was solid, adding to Totò's string of popular comedies and helping maintain his strong domestic fan base.

Cultural impact: Totòtruffa '62 stands in the tradition of Italian comedies that blend streetwise humor with social satire. Totò and Nino Taranto trade rapid one liners and visual gags, and the film’s take on bluffing and family ties helped reinforce Totò’s enduring appeal in postwar cinema.

Reception & themes: Reception at the time noted brisk pacing and witty exchanges, while critics highlighted themes of aspiration versus honesty, the pull of family, and the harmless resilience of everyday schemers. The film treats deception as a vehicle for warmth rather than malice.