Flame and the Flesh

American Madeline, a no-better-than-she-has-to-be (and then only when pushed) traveler arrives in Naples. She has an eye for men and a penchant for getting by on her wits—a 1954 term for body—and soon has a well-meaning (dumb) young composer, Ciccio providing her with room and board. But she has a male counterpart in Ciccio’s friend, café-singer Nino, who recognizes her for what she is and he decides to intercede on behalf of his friend. Black Widow Madeline welcomes him into her parlor, in a manner of speaking to get past the censors, and the next thing Nino knows, he has abandoned his wedding plans with sweet-young-thing Lisa, and runs off with Madeline. Lisa and Ciccio are left with wringing hands, and Madeline and Nino become an American/Italian version of the “Battling Bickersons” or “The Honeymooners”, with none of the fun.