Southern Italy or Il Mezzogiorno (Italian pronunciation: [meddzoˈdʒɔːrno], meaning 'Midday') is the traditional term for the southern half of the Italian state, encompassing the southern section of the continental Italian Peninsula and the two major islands of Sicily and Sardinia. It coincides with the administrative regions of Basilicata, Campania, Calabria, Apulia, Molise, Sicily, and finally Sardinia, that is considered as part of Southern Italy more for economic reasons than for cultural, historical or geographical reasons. Some also include Abruzzo and the most southern and eastern parts of Lazio (Sora, Cassino, Gaeta, Cittaducale and Amatrice districts) within the Mezzogiorno, because these territories were part, along with all the already listed ones (except Sardinia), of the historical Kingdom of Two Sicilies.

Southern Italy carries a unique legacy of peculiar nature, archeology and culture. It features many major tourist attractions, such as the Palace of Caserta, the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, Herculaneum, and other archaeological sites (many of which are protected by UNESCO). Some of its beaches, woodlands and mountains are preserved in several National Parks. Some medieval towns are located in Southern Italy. The history of Southern Italy boasts numerous kings, queens, princes, popes, writers, poets, philosophers, knights, artists, architects, craftsmen, musicians, scholars, scientists, politicians and farmers.

Giovanna Mezzogiorno (born November 9, 1974) is an Italian theatre and film actress.

Giovanna Mezzogiorno was born in Rome, November 9, 1974, daughter of actors Vittorio Mezzogiorno and Cecilia Sacchi. She grew up watching her parents on set, conscious about acting. At first she wanted to become a ballerina and she studied dancing for 13 years. She is an atheist.

After her father's death when she was 19, Mezzogiorno moved to Paris where she attended the stages by Arianne Mnouchkine and worked for two years at the Peter Brook Workshop (author of The Mahabharata). She made her stage debut with the role of Ofelia in "Qui est là", based on Shakespeare's "Hamlet". The play toured various European cities. She received the Premio Coppola-Prati 1996, the jury was presided over by theatre critic Franco Quadri. One year later, she made her film debut in "Il viaggio della sposa" (The Bride's Journey), written by and starring Sergio Rubini. Mezzogiorno was awarded the Targa d'Argento as the New Talent in Italian Cinema, she was also given the Grolla d'oro, and the Globo d'Oro by the Foreign Press Association and the Premio Flaiano as Best Actress of the 1997 - 1998 season.

Franco Franchi (born Francesco Benenato , 18 September 1928 – 9 December 1992) was an Italian comedian.

He was born in Palermo, Sicily and began his career in the 1950s, although his career only really took off in the 1960s. He starred in many comedies, mainly as a duo with Ciccio Ingrassia but also in more dramatic material such as Comencini's 'Adventures of Pinocchio (1972), in which they paired memorably as the Fox and the Cat.

On film Due Marines e un Generale (1966) he works with Buster Keaton.