My 150 Favorite Movies #64

Big Deal on Madonna Street (1958)

The original title, in Italian, is I Soliti Ignoti, which basically translates as "The Usual Suspects." This tale of a botched robbery at what is supposed to be a pawn shop references Rififi in all it's glory, but goes it one better - this one's a comedy. It made stars out of Vittorio Gassman and Marcello Mastroianni, and features a very early screen appearance by Claudia Cardinale, as well as a cameo from famed Italian film star Toto. Big Deal on Madonna Street was nominated for an Oscar for  Best Foreign Language Film and was listed by Premiere Magazine as one of the 50 best comedies of all-time. The wit here sparkles from start to finish.