
Full of Life. 1956. USA. Directed by Richard Quine. Screenplay and novel by John Fante. With Judy Holliday, Richard Conte, Salvatore Baccaloni. 91 min.
In a gender twist on the “meddling mother-in-law,” Nick Rocco’s old-world father, Rocco (Salvatore Baccaloni), can’t help insinuating himself into his son and daughter-in-law’s lives. Nick and Emily are just a few days away from the birth of their first child and Rocco—a skilled handyman—is called in to help with repairs in their new home. Nick is reluctant to rely upon his meddling dad, but the repairs have to be made before the baby comes home. Baccaloni was an opera singer and member of the La Scala Opera in Milan.