Inspector Rock, Cesare Polacco...

The Pipe Club, 1966.

Another character in our small gallery of those who, having "a treasure in their voice",
also defend it by avoiding cigarettes (much more dangerous) and relying on their friend
the pipe. This is Cesare Polacco. For those who, as soon as they hear his name and see the photo, exclaim "Ah, yes, it's Inspector Rock from Caroselli!" and here they stop, a clarification is needed. Because Cesare Polacco is, above all, one of the best, most intelligent and prepared actors in our theatre. Of course, popularity literally fell upon him only after the start of the successful series of television "sketches", but those in the know remember that Cesare Polacco has been one of the liveliest leaders of the great world of entertainment in Italy for over 40 years; in all fields, from cinema to theatre, from dubbing to television.

Do we want to sketch a brief portrait? Here, we see him make his debut in La Venezia as a Goldonian actor; then, the mirage of Rome and the great theater companies distanced him from this authentic vein and passion of his. Then, the cinema; and again the difficult years during which he... had to disguise himself under a false name to obtain a writing. His voice was so beautiful, personal, incisive, his diction so clear and penetrating that he quickly established himself among our best dubbers. Do you remember the many sheriffs in western films, the "tough guys" in detective stories? He gave her his voice as a gift. His greatest satisfaction, perhaps, came to him after the war, when he, in fact, gave it to one of today's greatest actors, Antony Quinn.

And again: many seasons at the “Piccolo Teatro” in Milan. Then came the inspector who (almost) never makes mistakes, and the overwhelming popularity. Bitterness, for this? No, the Goldonian trend is an integral part of the personality of our very lovable character: and with a perfect sense of humor he has... taken on the burden, and he doesn't want it on anyone if they recognize him, on the street, just for this reason. He has a more than clear conscience: he knows that he has given our firmament of actors of all kinds the little star that was perhaps missing, that of a character actor of exceptional strength. But, if we continue like this, we realize that there would be very little left to report on the meeting we recently had. Let's frame the scene: a dressing room at "Studio 3" in Milan. Cesare Polacco is waiting to shoot some sequences of Bolchi's "Promessi Sposi"; he plays the severe role of Count Zio.
He is satisfied with the part; in a few weeks you, the readers, will judge how he rendered it. Let's listen to some confidences. – Yes, Mr. Colarossi or whatever your name is, I realize that for the general public I am Inspector Rock and that's it, or almost. But basically (since you are speaking to an elite of pipe smokers) I will tell you that I don't mind you; because, unlike Gino Cervi, who was forced by the script to smoke a pipe to bring Maigret to the television screens, I have the great satisfaction of having imposed it, the pipe, on the director and producer. I did the first "Carousel", many, many years ago, and while acting I - spontaneously and with complete tranquility - stuck a Peterson in my mouth. Just like I did during rehearsals. Then I asked: what, do you mind? Quick consultation: no, in the end it was fine like that. And so he remained, the almost infallible inspector with his pipe in his mouth. I think I deserve a little recognition from the many pipe makers, don't you? Of course, Inspector, granted. And now let's see. How long have you been smoking a pipe, and why?

– The answer is easy. Many years ago (let's say about thirty, okay?) I smoked a pipe and cigarettes. I began to feel some discomfort in my pharynx. I had myself examined by a great Milanese clinician. You warned me that – to save that little treasure you mentioned – perhaps an intervention would be necessary. But, as immediate advice, she told me: give up cigarettes, give your affection only to the pipe. So perhaps I'm the most appropriate character for this column of yours. Because in fact for this reason alone I completely abandoned cigarettes, and now, with the pipe, having become the only and legitimate wife in what was previously a harem, I feel splendid. Both for the voice and for the taste, the pleasure. Space is tyrant. We see Cesare Polacco in his intimacy as a smoker. – I have about thirty pipes, I alternate them conscientiously, I don't smoke them either to relax or to get excited at work: let's be clear, I smoke them because I like it. Which is my favourite? An Italian one (the name is withheld for obvious advertising reasons - Editor's note -) a pipe made of old and healthy Italian briar. As for tobacco, I must tell you that your magazine has given me the greatest joy I could imagine: you managed to import English tobacco, my favorite, into Italy. You have been good, extraordinarily good, I also thank you on behalf of (I think) tens of thousands of other smokers. Director Solchi calls Polacco to discuss a scene, and so I say goodbye to him and go out to the commune. Goodness, now I realize why - despite his impeccable and elegant courtesy - Cesare Polacco had been a little cold towards me during the interview: I had left my pipe in the car, and while talking to him I had even smoked a cigarette! Excuse me, Inspector, but the joke is in order: I too made a mistake.

Giorgio Colarossi