Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell (1968)

Absurd but fun little comedy enlivened by Gina's feisty performance in the lead. The supporting cast is sprinkled with quality performers all giving good performances, even the usually obnoxious Silvers comes across well, but this is Gina's show and she carries the film easily. Most of the supporting players are simple types that the actors manage to flesh out the best they can. Telly Savalas and Lee Grant take theirs one step further and create a believably troubled couple who have spent so many years battling they fail to realize that what they both want is the same thing. On the surface they seem mismatched but because of subtle playing they expand the character beyond what was on the page.Back to Gina, under the direction of the competent Melvin Frank, whom had guided her through Strange Bedfellows previously, she has a fine comic sensibility never betraying any doubt that the preposterous situation she finds herself in doesn't make perfect sense. And boy is she a stunner!Full to the brim with beautiful scenery shot in glorious Technicolor, marred only by obvious but probably necessary process shots while Gina is driving, you'll want to jump a plane to Italy at the film's conclusion. A potential seamy subject that could have devolved into crassness is handled with the proper light touch making this a genial farce and terrific showcase for Miss Lollobrigida.

Don't pay any attention to the bad reviews on here (few as they are) this movie must be watched and appreciated for what it is, farce. The stellar cast turn in great performances and the writing is still very funny. This is the film which inspired the musical stage play "Mama Mia" as well as the film. But the two stories are completely different. Now out on DVD, remastered and in wide screen for the first time ever, this is a must see on a big screen TV. The video and sound transfer is amazing, clear, crisp picture and sound. Filmed on location in Italy this was no low budget film. Is it realistic, no, its not suppose to be, just sit back and enjoy it!

Buona Sera, Mrs Campbell is directed by Melvin Frank, written by Melvin Frank and Denis Nordon and stars Gina Lollobrigida, Telly Savalas, Peter Lawdford, Phil Silvers, Janet Margolin and Shelley Winters.If you love Mamma Mia then this is a film for you.Both deeply funny and touching at the same time this is the story of Italian beauty Mrs Carla Campbell(Gina Lollobrigida)who is shocked to discover that her three American Army boyfriends are coming back to the town for a war reunion.One of them is the father of her teenage daughter Gia(Janet Margolin)but which one?All three have been paying child maintenance cheques for twenty years believing they are the father.There's the cute loudmouth New Yorker Walter Braddock(Telly Savalas),suave and charming Justin Young(Peter Lawford)and family man Phil Newman(Phil Silvers), who's brought his interfering wife Shirley(Shelley Winters)and his three kids along with him to the reunion.There's fine support here from a young Lee Grant as Walter's wife Fritzie, a woman desperate to have a child and Naomi Stevens is hysterical as Carla's maid and confidant Rosa.This is an hysterical romantic comedy with fine performances from the entire cast. Gina gives the standout performance as the fiery Italian mother forced back together with her former lovers years later.

How's this for a contrived set-up: three former soldiers reunite in Italy some 20 years after the war, each thinking he fathered a child with neighborhood "alley cat" Gina Lollobrigida. Hopeless comedy from director Melvin Frank is just a strident and silly excuse to catch buxom Lollo in a series of low-cut outfits. Although Gina does manage a few laughs (and she keeps her dignity), the picture is woefully overlong, smarmy and tired. Supporting cast including Shelley Winters, Phil Silvers, Telly Savalas, Peter Lawford and Lee Grant is at a complete loss. * from ****