"[1] An aging and wealthy American woman journeys to Rome each year with her chauffeur George to play the card game scopone with destitute Peppino and his wife Antonia.

The annual scenario remains unchanged: she donates the initial stakes, then ultimately wins the game, shattering the couple's dream of scoring a victory and improving their lot in life.

Eventually their daughter Cleopatra seeks revenge on her parents' behalf.

Bette Davis was in the midst of a three-week vacation at the La Costa health spa in Carlsbad, California when she received the script.

On 24-hour notice, she flew to Rome for filming, but did not learn that the dialogue was to be recorded in Italian until the first day of shooting.