Noites de Amor, Dias de Confusão

In the '50s and '60s, perhaps thanks to the success of Neo-Realistic cinema, Italian actors and locations became quite popular in American movies, especially comedies (the amusing It Started in Naples, starring Sophia Loren and Clark Gable, is one example worth revisiting). Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell, with the always lovely Gina Lollobrigida playing the main role, is probably one of the funniest hybrids of US and Mediterranean talent.

Lollobrigida plays Carla Campbell, a widow who supposedly lost her husband during WWII. She lives in the South of Italy and provides for her daughter Gia (Janet Margolin) all by herself. It's all fine until a group of soldiers who fought in Italy during the war returns for a reunion and the truth is slowly unveiled: there is no Mr. Campbell, Carla having made him up since she slept with three different men (Telly Savalas, Phil Silvers and Peter Lawford) and doesn't know which of them is Gia's father. To complicate things even more, she told all three of them the girl is their daughter. In other words: mix-ups and misunderstandings are inevitable.

The story is extremely simple and a very good premise for a comedy, so good no one has ever tried to remake it (well, if you don't count the ABBA musical Mamma Mia!, which has a similar plot). Then again, it might be hard to pull off something like it nowadays (unless the setting was some place where paternity tests don't exist) - its look on adultery isn't exactly PC (and yet it was released while the Hays Code was still functional). Still, the gags come sharp and fast, particularly when Savalas and Silvers are on screen, and Lollobrigida is, as ever, a beauty to watch and hear. Margolin isn't bad either, whereas Lawford's subdued performance doesn't really sit well with the quick wit and great physical comedy delivered by his two rivals. But that's a minor flaw in a film that doesn't show up very often, but when it does, it truly is worth catching. Where else are you going to hear Lollobrigida explain that she called herself Campbell, like a soup brand, because the only other American name she knew was Coca-Cola?

Gina Lollobrigida plays a "widow" in Italy with a teenage daughter played by Janet Margolin. In reality Gina was never married but had, in the 1940s, sex with three different Army men (Telly Savalas, Phil Silvers and Peter Lawford) who all believe they're the father! Now they're all coming to town for a reunion and things go crazy.

Light, breezy comedy beautifully filmed on location in Italy. It has a good cast all doing very well in their roles. The standouts are Lollobrigida who is very beautiful and surprisingly good at comedy; Silvers who gets laughs from the stupidest lines and Shelley Winters who is hysterical as his overbearing wife. The only bad acting is by Margolin and Lee Grant as Savalas' wife--but she isn't given much to work with. And there's some hysterically bad process shots when people are riding cars. But these are minor complaints. This is just a silly, fun comedy.

Hard to believe that this was once considered risqué. It was originally rated M (which is the R rating today). It's now been lowered to a PG. I admit is DOES make adultery look OK but who's going to take this film seriously? Recommended. I give it an 8.

smart, hilarious, precise, good comedy for dark days. seductive and fresh. common recipes but with special spices. and, first, scene for extraordinary Gina Lollobrigida who does a nice role in Italian school manner.the humor - in each kind of form. the idea - far to be original today but the extraordinary use of it in this case makes all new. the acting - great. more important, it is a drawing of Italian society. not profound, not serious but interesting.and precise.it is difficult to write a review because the air of joy from this work is an experience. it is a window to a world in which each thing was more easy and natural. a form of innocence. not disappointing. only full of joy. and hopeful.

A delightful and heartwarming film that has stood up remarkably well when compared to other comedies of the 1960's. Both Gina Lollobrigida and Shelley Winters give good performances far outclassing the remainder of the cast. Phil Silvers is quite funny and Telly Savalas touching. In my opinion, the only cast member not up to the task is Peter Lawford - as boring as he usually is in any film in which he appears. It is odd that MGM/United Artist have not released the film on DVD, I'm sure that there are many people who would like to add it to their DVD collection. I have read that there are calls for the film to be remade but I don't think that it would work in today's arena. The film was right for its time but that time has now past and I feel that it's better to enjoy the film as it stands rather than try to remake it with a contemporary theme.

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!