User reviews

This film tells the relationships and stories between the residents of a courtyard in downtown Lisbon, where their lives intersect each other in a web of joys and sorrows. Directed by Francisco Ribeiro (known as Ribeirinho, which also enters the film as an actor in the role of Rufino), the film has the participation of Maria das Neves (as Rosa), Vasco Santana (as Narciso), Antonio Silva (as Evaristo), Laura Alves (as Celeste) and António Vilar (as Carlos).

Lisbon is a city known for having a spirit and mentality very similar to a small village: the inhabitants of each neighborhood and courtyard are known to each other and usually help each other in difficult situations. This creates a strong sense of community, which they call "bairrismo". This film is a comedy in the best Portuguese style, where comic situations alternate with word games and even romantic scenes. Francisco Ribeiro, known as an excellent comedian, has one of most humorous roles and co-stars with another great humorist, Vasco Santana. The film is full of moments that entered in the history of Portuguese cinema and even justified a more recent film, with the same name, that revisits the story in our time.

This film is for the entire family and appeals to everyone, whether you have 9 or 99 years. It has absolutely delightful scenes and jokes. Its timeless, its a masterpiece.

One of the best comedies in Portuguese cinema. A very funny movie, with the two best comedy actors from Portugal of all time, Vasco Santana and António Silva. I believe that true cinema in Portugal ended in the sixties and this film is the pinnacle of this period. I recommend this film to all the people, who wants to know our country and our culture in the middle of the fifty's.

This is one of the most hilarious films ever made in Portugal. It's full of those little jokes everybody remembers, even today! The actors transformed this, rather simple story, into a masterpiece! This movie is a definite "must see".

This is it! The best Portuguese film ever! As a Portuguese cinema lover, it is kind of sad for me to say this about a movie made in 1942, but since this is not a debate about the present Portuguese cinema I will just go straight to the point. This movie is not just a fabulous piece about Lisbon and the way it was for the working class back in the 40's. This a fabulous comedy with fabulous gigs performed by even more fabulous actors. Vasco Santana and António Silva played unforgettable rolls that still today are remembered by us all.

Lately, Portuguese cinema has been a bit bad; But in the 1940s the films were fantastic, and this movie proves completely. Fantastico, one of the best musicals and best comedies ever. Highly recommend, great for movie lovers

This is one of the Portuguese movies you must watch before you die.

Sometimes i wonder where are the great movies of today, and we need to go way back to find something like this.

With a luxury enrolment of great and timeless portuguese actors this movie shows exactly the portuguese way mixt with other cultures.

It gives a 2 hour fun on where you laft, cry, fell good it as it time passes without you even notice.

It focues on the dereivations of diferent families and their problems but all mixed in a very well told story where on the end every one lives happy ever after.

Movies like this are timless and you will see it and repeat it over and over again.

If you want to find the real portuguese soul embebed in a movie, this is it.

The best portuguese comedy ever.With lovely performances by António Silva e Vasco Santana this film is a decomentary of portuguese neighborhoods in the past.Must see,