PETROLINI, ETTORE

(1886-1936)

Actor and playwright. Taking to the stage at the age of 14, Petrolini achieved enormous national and international renown as a performer of cabaret and musical theater, touring extensively throughout Europe and the Americas. In spite of his huge popularity over three decades, he appeared only twice in films during the silent period: in a brief comic sketch for Latium films in 1913 and inMario Bonnard'sMentre il pubblico ride(While the Public Laughs, 1919). However, in 1930Alessandro Blasettifilmed a performance of his stage showNerone(Nero, 1930) and a year laterCarlo Campogallianialso recorded theatrical performances ofCortile(Courtyard, 1931) andMedico per forza(1931), an Italian version of Moliere'sLe medecin malgre lui(The Doctor in Spite of Himself). Although Petrolini's lampoon of the Roman emperor inNeroneappeared to many as thinly veiled references to Mussolini, such was his overwhelming popularity that the film was allowed to circulate freely and Mussolini himself is said to have been amused by it.