Remi Fournier Lanzoni's Comedy Italian Style is the first book to cover the genre "officially" known as commedia all'italiana comprehensively in English. For some, commedia all'italiana serves as a national cinematographic patrimony, and for others, it provides a satirical outlook on the economic boom years. In truth, it functioned as the principal economic engine of the Italian film industry. For in many ways, Italy and the Italians are best known through these works of biting humor and incredible grace. The landmark comedies are those of the 1960s and 1970s, when the political soil helped germinate a new society. But this radiant tradition is not contained within two decades; it started in the days before neorealism and continues well into the 21st century.