San Giovanni Decollato (1940) -

: Agostino is fiercely devoted to a painting of St. John the Baptist's severed head. He is obsessed with uncovering a thief who nightly steals the oil from the saint's votive lamp.

Released on December 12, 1940, (Saint John, the Beheaded) is a cornerstone of early Italian comedy, marking a pivotal moment in the cinematic evolution of the legendary Totò. Directed by Amleto Palermi and Giorgio Bianchi, the film was produced at Rome’s iconic Cinecittà Studios during a period of transition in Italian cinema. Narrative Core and Plot San Giovanni decollato (1940)

: Agostino's daughter, Serafina, is in love with Giorgio, but Agostino—manipulated by the local tough guy Don Peppino—has promised her hand to another man. This leads to a dramatic flight to Sicily, culminating in a wedding where Agostino finally identifies the oil thief. Artistic and Historical Significance : Agostino is fiercely devoted to a painting of St

: A notable historical footnote is that an 18-year-old Italo Calvino published his first-ever piece of writing as a review of this film in 1941, praising Totò's "uncontested dominance" on screen. Principal Cast and Production Cesare Andrea Bixio — Grokipedia Released on December 12, 1940, (Saint John, the

: The screenplay was co-written by Cesare Zavattini , a future architect of Italian Neorealism, alongside Aldo Vergano and Palermi.