Poker in Bed (1974)

Sorry, this movie sucks

Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.

Poker in Bed (great title) is a delightful Italian sex comedy starring Carlo Giuffre as a handsome shoe salesman who turns gigolo when his gambling gets him into trouble. Soon he's juggling three women (and endangering his health from overexertion) when Edwige Fenech waltzes into his life, debasing herself to our amusement as a German health nut and Richard Wagner enthusiast who can only become aroused when wet.Completely absurd from start to finish and filled with maniacally chattering women, sexual slapstick, and toilet humor, Poker in Bed will be too silly for most viewers, but will please admirers of Fenech (the cover image of her is as inviting as she ever looked) and that particular brand of comic idiocy of which only Italians are capable. Cute, sexy theme song, too.

Carlo Giuffrè plays Michele, a down on his luck gambler who sells shoes for a living. His friend and adviser Peppino (Enzo Cannavale in a thankless role) informs Michele his debts are greater than his earnings. Luckilly his hands are a wonder to women, especially rich admirers Giulia and Monica, who invite him to stay at their mansion and pick up some extra money doing chores. Giulia wants to paint him in the nude while Monica just want so roll around in the hay. And the pigsty. And the chicken coop. Although quite a lot of raunchy stuff is implied, it is all done with suggestive imagery. That is until a nubile and very slim Edwige Fenech appears from under the shower at the 30 minute mark. She's Eva from Germany, who is married to wimpy writer Alberto.You may have noticed that compared to most Italian comedies, this one has it's roles reversed: instead of caricatures of men chasing after one gorgeous gall, we have one man being chased by every woman. Even Edwige Fenech is acting completely over the top, complete with (dubbed?) German accent. Of course the only reason she has an accent is so she can make suggestive mispronunciations, as all foreigners do. With her husband Alberto is too busy thumping his typewriter to please her, Michele is determined to fill his shoes. Eva seems to suffer from 'hillarious' mood swings, until Michele finds out she can only be turned on (literaly) by water. But since he has to pleasure the other two broads as well, even he starts to get exhausted and can't concentrate on his poker games anymore. He decides to get his nerdy assistant from the shoe store to help out, with disastrous results for all concerned.Co written by star Carlo Giuffrè, he portrays himself as every woman's dream, twirling his 'tache and occasionally breaking the fourth wall. Oh yes, an ugly maid called Anita and a hooker named Marina are also involved (but add little). Federico Zanni's cinematography is zany indeed: zooming in and out, placing out of focus furniture in the foreground, vigorous wipes from one character to another, cross cutting, he tries it all. But unfortunately not in a very original or eye pleasing manner. The finale revolves around a big pay check and some exhausting (off screen) bedroom antics that leaves all involved in need of medical attention.6 out of 10