Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell (1968)

A Disappointing Continuation

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

For a one-idea plot this is reasonably entertaining if you're prepared to overlook the dubious morality of the eponymous character who not only had unprotected sex with three different men in three weeks but cynically accepted monthly checques from each of them for 20 years which by extension depended on convincing and/or allowing each of the three men to think he was the father of her daughter. Having invented, for the benefit of her neighbors to say nothing of her daughter, a dead husband whose name she took from a can of soup the only suspense element is how and when the truth will leak out. With a premise like this the only way to go is to contrive a way for all three men to be in the same place at the same time and once that happens it's just a matter of how long it takes for them to wise up. Given that the three were all with the USAF during World War II the idea of a twentieth reunion sets the ball rolling on what has the makings of a deft farce in the best Feydeau style but turns out to be club-footed. People like Lee Grant and Phil Silvers are basically slumming here whilst Peter Lawford turns in his usual wooden performance and Shelly Winters does her strident bit. Gina Lollobrigida is good to look at but that's about the best you can give it.

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 ****

Former sex goddess Gina Lollobrigida is a gorgeous 40ish redhead in this screwball comedy set in Italy in 1968. La Lollo plays the mother of the lovely Janet Margolin, whose American soldier father was supposedly killed during World War II. The thing is, Gina isn't sure who the father was, since she was friendly with three soldiers at the time, (played by Peter Lawford, Phil Silvers and Telly Savalas), and all are very much alive. Each of the three thinks he is the father and has been financially supporting the girl in secret for over 20 years. Trouble and hilarity ensue when the three men and their wives return to the Italian village for an Army reunion, and Gina has to juggle all six of them while keeping her daughter from finding out the truth.It's a funny script that hearkens back to Hollywood's great screwball comedies, with especially good jobs from Silvers and Savalas and Shelley Winters and Lee Grant as their wives. But it's Gina who steals the show with her glamorous mugging.

A buoyant and unrepressed Italian star and concept -- Carla Campbell, a war prostitute-by-necessity maintaining 20 years of child support with three of her ex-clients, each of whom believes himself to be the secret father, is surprised to learn that all three of them will be in town for an Army reunion, and each of the three wants to see his daughter. Somehow, Director/Writer Frank manages to mesh this Italian scenario with quintessential Americans Phil Silvers, Peter Lawford, and Telly Savallas. Shelley Winters and Lee Grant are also terrific, and Janet Margolin (from David and Lisa fame) does a strong and understated straight turn as Carla's judgmental daughter Gina. Carla's interaction with the citizens of her town adds the final elements of a heartily enjoyable gentle yet hilarious comedy.