The birth and rise of popular Italian cinema since the early 1950s can be attributed purely to necessity. The vast number of genres, sub-genres, currents and crossovers and the way they have overlapped, died out or replaced each other has been an attempt, in post-war years, to contain and control the invasion of U.S. product while also satisfying the demands the American industry had created in Italy. Exploring one of the most multi-faceted and contradictory industries cinema has ever known through the careers of those most closely associated with it, the author has recorded interviews conducted with directors and actors both well-known and forthcoming.