Marco Leto was born in Rome in 1931. After studying law, he enrolled at the film school (Centro Sperimentale) in Rome. He wrote film reviews for a number of specialized film magazines before he became the film critic for the daily IL GLOBO. He co-scripted a number of films with Franco Rossi and collaborated with Mario Monicelli, Florestano Vancini, and Renato Castellani. He directed several television films and plays, indluding Arthur Miller's INCIDENT IN VICHY and ALL MY SONS before realizing his first film, BLACK HOLIDAY. In 1931 the Italian government insisted that all university professors take a "loyalty" oath, swearing allegiance to the Facist reginme. In all Italy only thirteen refused. [Source: Theatre Vanguard Program Notes, 1976]