Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell [VHS]

This comedy was Gina Lollobrigida's last film role as the star of the film. After this delightful role in which she displayed the acrobatic ability of a comedienne instead of just the sexbombshell of the piece, she retired from the arena, only to appear sporadically in cameos here and there. I believe she persued her great love of photography as she had by this time in her career as an actress, had stored enough money away so that she could in her early forties sit back and do what she pleased. I believe this film was probably the best that she ever made and, perhaps, the best damned performance she had ever given. The film was so well received that it has been done as a musical by the same name starring Georgia Brown back in the 70's and was the inspiration for Abba's musical, "Mama, Mia". With the earthiness of an Italian comedy, the film also plays like a Feydeau bedroom farce halfway through, with the doors slamming and in this lover hustled off to receive this one before the other one is aware of that one's entrance. And the lovers are played by such stalwarts of film as Phil Silvers, Telly Savales and, none other than playboy Peter Lawford. Then there are the wives played by Shelly Winters, Lee Grant and, little known but very good, straight woman, Marian McCargo. I love this film and have seen it many, many times and am surprised at the location filming, the vibrant colors and how well it plays over the years. Here it is, 47 years ago, and it plays better than "Mama, Mia".

A sparkling farce, BUONA SERA MRS CAMPBELL has radiant Gina Lollobrigida, an all-star supporting cast, and gorgeous Italian location photography. Carla Campbell (Lollobrigida) has carved out a respectable life and successful business for herself and her lovely daughter Gia (Janet Margolin) in the town of San Forino, but everything is about to come crashing down....You see, some 20 years ago in the final chaotic months of WW2, a then-16-year-old Carla shared a house with three American G.I.'s, discoverd she was pregnant after their departure, and for the next 20 years has collected a monthly child support payment from each of them... Now those same three former G.I.'s (Peter Lawford, Telly Savalas and Phil Silvers) along with their wives (Lee Grant, Marian Moses and Shelley Winters) are headed back to San Forino for a grand reunion festival! Each man thinks he's Gia's father... and none of the wives know about their husbands' Italian wartime romance.Director Melvin Frank had previously worked with Gina Lollobrigida in the 1965 comedy "Strange Bedfellows" and crafted this film as a showcase for her special comedic talents, but her co-stars often threaten to steal the spotlight, especially Lee Grant and Shelley Winters who both shine in some gleeful comedy moments. Costume designer Morton Haack dresses the gals in some fabulous clothes as well.This movie was later adapted into the 1979 Broadway musical "Carmelina"; and also formed the basis for the smash hit ABBA musical "Mamma Mia".

For almost twenty years, an Italian woman (Gina Lollobrigida) and her daughter (Janet Margolin) have been supported by the monthly checks of three American men (Phil Silvers, Telly Savalas, Peter Lawford). Though none of the men know about the other, each of them believes he is the father of the girl since all three men were intimate with the mother during a ten day period during WWII. But when a twenty year reunion occurs, all three men return to Italy (along with their wives) hoping to see their daughter. That's when the fun starts! This giddy farce is reminiscent of the classic screwball comedies of the 30s and 40s. While it may lack the elegance and wit of an AWFUL TRUTH or reach the madcap hysterics of BRINGING UP BABY, it's close enough so that any quibbling is minor. Lollobrigida is gorgeous but it's the supporting players who shine. In particular, the inspired casting of Shelley Winters and Silvers as a perfectly match married couple, each of them doing impeccable double takes. Savalas as a loud American and Lee Grant as his brassy wife keep it up too. The film's plot was unofficially usurped for the musical MAMMA MIA!. Directed by Melvin Frank. With Phillippe Leroy, Marian McCargo and Naomi Stevens.The Australian DVD courtesy of Shock video is a nice anamorphic wide screen (1.85) transfer. Since it's a region 0, it should be playable on all DVD players.

This re-release of Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell from Studio: Kino Lorber that has a running time of Run Time: 108 minutesappears to be an edited version of the movie compared to the Studio: Shock version with a running time of Run Time: 122.00 minuteswhich can be found at ASIN: B0019D8NLU . I included a picture of the cover so you can compare the results yourself. The Studio Shock is however a pal region dvd. It requires you to have a region free dvd player. I would prefer to have the entire movie Blu-Ray or not for my collection.I think 14 minutes of a movie cut out for a re-release version of the movie is to much being taken out of the film.

This is a very funny and amusing little film made in the Sixties, wonderful farce and brillant and funny acting from all the casts, especially my favorite Gina Lollobrigida. She is brilant in this film, with also the marvelous Shirley Winters, Lee Grant, Phil Silver, Peter Lawford and Telly Savalas all fantastic and beautifully shot somewhere in Italy ( Bela ) The only downside is that the pictures quality is not as brillant as it should be, wish it would would be release in better quality than this. I have seen it on TV not so long ago and the quality was much better, hence only 3 stars. Awaiting for the better one on release and hope not too long please...

This was bought for a friend for her birthday, I have seen most of the film, but I know that she was highly delighted with it and can't stop watching it.

Gorgeous1960s film, with the lovely Gina Lollobrigida. The story centres round the 3 American GIs who were in Italy during the war, all of whom could potentially be the father of Gina's daughter. Wonderful stars like Phil Silvers, Peter Lawford, Shelley Winters and Telly Savalas add to the fun. Have waited a long time to get this on DVD and although it is from Spain, the original English soundtrack is there - though you could watch it dubbed in Spanish as well.

A riotous comedy starring Gina Lollobrigida, Telly Savalas, and many others. In wartorn Italy a glamorous woman has affairs with several US servicemen whom she later claims are the father or her child. Unbeknown to each other, the men agree to send maintenance payments to support what they believe is their offspring. Many years later things come to a head when a re-union is organised in the Italian town where the men served.........

Not sure why the reviews were good, the dvd quality was so poor, when looked to return the cost of registered return was over half the cost of the dvd so rather than loose more money I won’t return but I won’t buy from seller again.