It was the perfume that won Rachel over

PIPA CLUB, February 1967.

Here we are, Mr. Rascel. And let's start from the beginning. So, obviously she also started smoking a pipe because cigarettes crack her voice and so it was necessary to remedy this...".
"No. Just for nothing."
We didn't expect this. The national "little guy" had kindly received me in the dressing room of the Milanese theater where he performed "The Odd Couple" with extraordinary success; he was as usual kind and affable; from the shelf of greasepaints and creams the wonderful "flamed" pipes smiled at me, around there were tobacco and swedes, in another corner the most recent copy of our magazine stood out. And laurels No “treasure in the voice”? So, Renato Rascel - from a true smoker to an authentic (sorry) reporter - didn't want to lie.
“I will tell you instead that I started smoking for a completely different reason: seduction. Seduction of perfume, I don't know if you understand me. It happened more than 10 years ago; For a long time, I remember, I was obsessed and stunned by the extraordinary, heavenly aroma that I felt emanating from the stoves of Pipes smoked by neighbors, friends, colleagues, people I passed on the street. And I thought it was an enjoyment that could only be felt reflexively. Then, I asked myself: can you see that maybe I'll give myself a taste that could be all mine? And what if I find the same pleasure in smoking? It happened: I tried, and it happened; since then, I feel like someone else, which I must say, I feel more complete. Now I have come to have more than 30 authentic pipes, and I "turn them over" as per the rule."
Well, let's immediately report this to the beloved Director, because he must receive an honorary membership card; and Rascel, learning the intention, immediately retorts:
"If we are at this point, and you force me to be immodest, I would allow myself to remind you that I am also somewhat deserving of the Pipe for other reasons: the television broadcast two years ago a series of my "almost journalistic" reports from London, yes, the series entitled "Hallo, London!": well, don't you remember that almost an entire episode was dedicated to the visit of a fabulous English shop (let's call it a shop!), with the whole history of tobacco, of the blends prepared especially for the powerful and wealthy of the Earth? I was the first to show on television the legendary register with the names of the hundred thousand most famous smokers, from Churchill to a South American fazendero: and for each one, marked next to it, the formula of each person's favorite blend. So one writes to that shop and orders X boxes of tobacco, they go to check the name, and they send out the If you want to know, my name has also been on that register for a couple of years: so, am I one of you or not?”.
We take note of this, kind Renato, and with great joy: because authentic joy is what we feel in learning that the artist who for over 20 years has been parading on the catwalk of world successes, as a singer-songwriter, is also a "real" pipe maker ("Goodbye Rome”) to director (”The Coat”), from extemporaneous and “Marinettian” author of scripts and ballads (”The Storm has arrived”) to protagonist of the most famous Italian musical comedies of all time (“Enrico '61” would be enough ).
But let's move on with the discussion. We are in the interval of the comedy, and hearing that we are talking about tobacco and mixtures, Walter Chiari, who is Rascel's partner in "The Odd Couple" appears at the door; he is immediately interested in the magazine, he wants to know when the next national conference is (we'll talk about it again, dear Walter) and tells us the story of the mixture formed by the "Three Sisters": it deserves a separate discussion, Chiari is not a supporting character, he is he is also a star, and this time our firmament is already occupied. Let's see what Rascel likes in the Pipe.
”Smoking it is natural; especially when I read, or when I walk, when I go calmly through the streets of my Rome. And then I like it because it's a living thing, it's not an object, it's almost like a loved one, you want to talk to them. I always bring at least a couple of them into the dressing room: maybe I can't smoke during breaks, but I physically need to feel them close to me. It relaxes me, the mere thought of the relaxation that they can then give me relaxes me. And then I like, in the Pipe, the care and love that must be given to it. I may be one of the few, but I assure you that I experience the same pleasure in smoking them and in "curing" them. Do you know what was one of the works performed for the radio that gave me the most satisfaction? A short story narrated by Courteline, “The art of cleaning the pipe”. He doesn't even know it existed? Be ashamed and update yourself."
I execute, I blush and fearlessly I continue. We need to hurry, the bouncer is already on the warpath. We talked about tobaccos and blends. Renato Rascel's tastes: about it? Aromatic tobaccos, “Revelation” can give an idea of ​​the basis of his preferences. English tobaccos, however, and English pipes above all, but with the necessary exceptions for Italian ones, the many that deserve it.
As for the type, the model?
“Well, did he look at me properly? I like them slim, classic, straight and small... But I also have more than one "cornet" one. All briars; no foams, porcelains or anything else.”
We would have finished then, Mr. Rascel. With many thanks for your kindness and information. Will our Club be able to count on you for your next events?
”And do we need to ask? I'm all yours. Small, but sincere."

Giorgio Colarossi