Was Benito Mussolini ever dictator of Italy- comparable to Stalin? If so, in what year did he become dictator?

In history class, everyone is taught that Mussolini was absolute dictator of Italy, but he was accountable to the Grand Council of Fascism (parliament) and the King (head of state). He was overthrown in a revolution in 1943, but instead DISMISSED by the legislature as Italy's "dictator". How exactly was he a dictator? Perhaps people just mean he was an authoritarian who held a lot of influence over the government and the media?