Enrico Viarisio

Equipped of a fine and elegant humour, Viarisio was discovered by actress Paola Pezzaglia, who cast him at 19 as a brillante (a comedic role) in her own theatre company. His career continued with the role of amoroso or male lover in the Carini–Gentili–Betrone theatre company, then passed to Talli–Melato–Betrone, Antonio Gandusio, Dyne Galli, and Nino Besozzi, and the Merlini–Cialente–Bagni company. To raise the company's small profits, Viarisio became the repertory comedian. Bourgeois audiences appreciated Viarisio's "brilliance" – communicative, effervescent, and comforting – in comedies. In the comedies and white-telephone cinema of the 1930s, Viarisio was a constant figure, with his moustache and his black, shining hair combed to the back. He was the interpreter of various stories adapted to film from the stage, such as Non ti conosco più (1936) by Nunzio Malasomma, ''L'uomo che sorride (1936) and Questi ragazzi (1937) by Mario Mattoli. Often, he remained in the limits of the genre, but in some cases showed creativity in his performances, keeping them fresh and memorable. This can be seen in films like Il cappello a tre punte (1934) by Mario Camerini, Cavalleria (1936) by Goffredo Alessandrini and Quattro passi fra le nuvole'' (1942) by Alessandro Blasetti. During the postwar period he was dedicated above all to the revue, playing opposite Wanda Osiris (Domani è sempre domenica, 1946–47; Si stava meglio domani, 1947–48; Il diavolo custode, 1950–51) and Isa Barzizza (Valentina, 1955). In the 1950s and '60s he lent his impeccable style and his sense of irony to television as well. Still memorable is his participation in Carosello in the spot for food company Alemagna (on the air from 1957 to 1965). He remains known for his signature phrase "Ullalà è una cuccagna!" ==Selected filmography==