I agree with ptb-8. Buona Sera Mrs. Campbell was well written and a heartfelt comedy. Ortolani's charming and catchy theme song reminds me of another favorite Italian movie The Yellow Rolls Royce. But I'm glad it's unappreciated and forgotten today. Yes, MRS CAMPBELL is a good example of the marriage farces of Hollywood churned out in the 60s and those films did entertain us. But every time it comes on I cannot help realize how far Holllywood stooped to ridicule decent Eurooean women who suffered all sorts of indignity and hardship during a world war. At least Hollywood allowed Ms. Lollobrigida to explain to her boyfriend and housekeeper why she allowed 3 American men believe to be the father of her daughter. I would've enjoyed hearing the Hollywood studio execs talk her into making this film. And when the ex GIs tally up the amount of money they sent to Mrs. Campbell over the years. "You averaged 85 a month, you - a hundred and fifteen, me - a hundred a forty... which, over twenty years, compounded at six percent interest, would come to a hundred and ninety seven thousand dollars." They are amazed. "We paid more war damages than Germany!" We're asked to find humor somewhere. Other than 3 men believing to be the father of a woman's daughter Mrs. Campbell has nothing in common with Mamma Mia. In Mamma Mia, she does not swindle the men out of a hundred and ninety seven thousand dollars, or lie to their wives that her "husband" died in a heroic war battle. Altho I did enjoy the scene when Mrs. Campbell true motivation is revealed. Her scene with the Countess was beautiful showing that perpetrating a cock n' bull story was her only way to avoid a shameful unwed pregnancy.
Review of Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell
