houseboat film review

By the time, 'Passion' was completed, Loren was no longer interested in Grant. Vintage Cary Grant with fresh Sophia Loren. PRO TV 22:30. A train hits their new home-in-tow and instead of a collision the viewer just sees some (fake) lumber thrown onto their car. This OscarеЁ-nominated film has the legendary Cary Grant as a government attorney who can't seem to shake his bad fortune. Melville Shavelson. Houseboat es una película dirigida por Melville Shavelson con Cary Grant, Sophia Loren, Martha Hyer, Harry Guardino, Eduardo Ciannelli .... Año: 1958. About the only serious negative is the REALLY annoying song that Loren sings throughout the movie. but ultimately, it scores as a terrific family movie, as Loren, playing an inept but adorable housekeeper/nanny, wins the affection of widower Grant's kids, and awakens in him a more complete love than he was experiencing with his society girlfriend (played effectively by the beautiful Martha Hyer). The three kids are played by Paul Peterson (of Donna Reed Show fame), Charles Herbert (13 Ghosts, among others), and Mimi Gibson (this is probably her best role). Her bonding with the children (and with Grant) is a treat, and while I wasn't quite convinced it would all work out happily, I was genuinely entertained. Para cuidarlos contrata como niñera a Cintia (Sophia Loren), una bella italiana que oculta su verdadera identidad. Predictable,...yes. Houseboat is just a cute movie that is worth watching to fill in time. Cary's then-wife Betsy Drake was originally set to star. Distributie Cary Grant, Sophia Loren. Houseboat (1958) 12 11/19/1958 (US) Comedy, Drama, Family, Romance 1h 50m User Score. He agreed to, with the chance he could still win over his co-star. Houseboat is a romantic/comedy about a family living on a houseboat. He's also got a sister-in-law, Martha Hyer, crushing out on him big time. Good acting? The trouble is that he needs a combination housekeeper and mom for the kids, so he goes about trying to hire one. FAQ Ordinarily, I kind of enjoy these tame old Sixties comedies, but watching Cary Grant in a role written for a B- or C-lister is always painful. Certainly. I agree with "WRONG WIFE" post. Read Common Sense Media's Houseboat review, age rating, and parents guide. ... but, her film roles with rare exception have not allowed her to be more than a mannequin. We still sing the song, and watched it again last week (they're teens now. Grant, though he takes her for a tramp, hires her as a maid at seeing her ability to handle his children upon first meeting. Captain Pippi is a 120m2 houseboat, a true Amsterdam watervilla. The other stupid stunt is that Cary Grant is dressed in a dapper white tuxedo and walks along the gangway to the houseboat for the first time. At one point of the film I started to wish that he would marry his sister-in-law instead. Sinopsis: Tom (Cary Grant) es un viudo que vive con tres hijos pequeños en una casa flotante. Our eyes feast on the beautiful pleasant countryside. Address in the New ‘Wonder Woman 1984’. | I can find something interesting in just about any film, the worse the better. Harry Guardino is a treat as the guy who sells Cary the houseboat after destroying their other house. Saccharin-prone viewers might bail early, but give it time. "Houseboat" proves that being a Cary Grant film is NOT a guarantee for entertainment. True, Loren is hardly providing any acting gravitas here, but by the time she wanders into view looking absolutely knockout in a gold dress, nothing else really matters! When I first stumbled across a movie title 'Houseboat' a thousand years ago, and saw the casting, I speculated that it could only be a euro-tweaked piece of frisson, OR a vapid, one-idea dud. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards: one for Best Original Song for "Almost in Your Arms (Love Song from Houseboat)", and the other for Best Original Screenplay. Metacritic Reviews. Simple enough, only Grant has been funnier in many movies and Loren has looked better in any number of films. Grant and Loren were NOT in a hot and heavy affair when this picture was made. In 1958 the couple were the focus of Hollywood gossip columnists when they starred together in the romantic comedy Houseboat, set in Washington … This film simply does not work. © Copyright 2020 Variety Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media, LLC. Almost a decade before Robert Wise's blockbuster,this fairly entertaining little comedy had almost everything that was brought to epic proportions in the sixties:a widower(Grant)with three "charming" children -"sound of music is an improvement on it for that with seven brats-,a chic lady(Hyers) who is the equivalent of the baroness and an Italian Cinderella(Loren)-complete with magnificent dress and ball- who's hired by Grant to take care of his offspring.And Sophia Loren does sing,and her voice is so nice that the children do backing vocals.Like Julie Andrews. Cary Grant was in love with Sophia Loren (who wouldn't be) when that film began. Granted, there is more romance (and with Sophia Loren as the objection of affection, Cary has it all OVER Jimmy and Hank!) One is the passel of motherless kids, who for a change are convincingly sullen, bitter and unreachable until a brief last-minute conversion. Vezi ce filme ai la cinema în Octombrie. Year in Review: So, How Was Your 2020, Dierks Bentley? Click aici pentru a te autentifica. I've commented on about 2000 films. An Italian socialite on the run signs on as housekeeper for a widower with three children. Their affair was more or less over before this film was started. The movie is contrived and totally unconvincing, but the two stars' tortured feelings for each other keep seeping through, giving many scenes an edgy tension you can't shake off. A Vista Vision production in Technicolor, music is by George Duning and cinematography by Ray June. Pretty good Cary Grant film, but it still felt kind of weak. This is not so much a review of the film as it's more a clarification. go figure). Awards. ... Houseboat is also a rare movie that deals honestly with the issue of children's reaction to remarriage. Welcome to Houseboat Horror. But this is not just a bad movie, it is offensive. Due to the war housing shortage, they live on a houseboat moored in a river. Formulaic? A surprising jewel. Running Time: 109 minutes. User Ratings This is likely to be true because there are only a few love scenes and they all look somehow forced. Read Next: What’s Coming to Disney Plus in January 2021, Rick Squire, Director and Network Marketing Executive, Dies at 68, Sony Music Entertainment Names Andrew Davis Executive VP, Global Chief Human Resources Officer, Columbia Records Promotes Sarah Mary Cunningham and John Salcedo to Vice President, How a Lucasfilm Exec’s Tweet Reopened the Wounds of ‘The Last Jedi’, Nick McGlashan, 'Deadliest Catch' Star, Dies at 33, L.A. 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As a romantic male lead, there's never been anybody better, but comic dad parts are best left to the Paul Dooleys of the world. Just thought you might like to know that HOUSEBOAT was partially shot at Fort Washington, Maryland.... right on the Potomac, south of Washington, DC. Título original: Houseboat. That would have made more sense. Enter Sophia Loren, a full-blown lass with lovely knees who’s been kept in tow by her father, a noted Italian symphony conductor and who takes the first chance to get away from it all. In 1958 Fort Washington, Maryland was part of Oxon Hill, MD. It worked out best for us as it would have been a far different movie with Drake, who had a pretty bland screen presence. But who cares, as it's a lot of fun and yet another nice outing from Grant. She's sexy, funny, and charming. External Reviews They're all good, particularly Herbert. Movies: Houseboat; Tom Winston, a widower, is trying to understand and raise three precocious children alone. Sadly I learned an hour ago, that it's the latter. Plus, the romance that predictably develops between them and the way the film ends is highly entertaining. Tom Winters (Cary Grant) works for the government, his divorced wife was recently killed in a car wreck, and the grandparents were set to get custody of the three young children, papers already to be signed by Tom. We don't see him sink into the water. Our Houseboat Magazine TOP10 list. Houseboat is directed by Melville Shavelson who also co-writes the screenplay with Jack Rose. Their chemistry is evident and it shows well here. As for Sophia Loren, basking in her movie-star close-ups, she takes a cartoonish character (which is written like a cynical refugee from "Roman Holiday") and gives the lady a big heart. Part of the famous Waterlands, and only a little while away from the Amsterdam city center (see exact details in 'More about the location', below). The magnetic Loren and the charming Grant add up to a cheeky, urbane comedy. Betsy Drake. They had previously co-starred in "The Pride And The Passion" with Frank Sinatra. And if you are a fan of either star, it will be that much better. 1958: Nominations: Best Original Story & Screenplay, Song (‘Almost in Your Army’). Watch Houseboat movie trailer and get the latest cast info, photos, movie review and more on TVGuide.com. Cary Grant is stranded, late for work. Predictable? Head on over there to read about all the films he’s been in!-- A houseboat is a boat that has been designed or modified to be used primarily as a home.Some houseboats are not motorized, because they are usually moored, kept stationary at a fixed point and often tethered to land to provide utilities.However, many are capable of operation under their own power. It cracks me up when movies of the 50's portrayed Italian women as fiery and impulsive. Cozy romp with some surprising emotional resonance, "Hesto, Presto, One of Cary's Very Besto", Warm, with a witty Cary Grant and stiff Sofia Loren...and a forced plot. While I give this movie only a 7, it is well worth seeing--deep no--but lots of fun. Despite the names on the marquee, spare yourselves by skipping this one. At first glance, "Houseboat" looks like the worst type of sitcom: stern father gets saddled with his estranged children, later hiring a governess who is really a runaway from high society. Komische verwikkelingen rond de gescheiden advocaat Tom, die de zorg voor zijn drie kinderen op zich moet nemen nadat zijn … I'd much rather watch "Father Goose" than this film. The voyage of Houseboat is to a nearly extinct era in motion pictures when screens and hearts bubbled over with the warmth of original family humor. Director, Writer. But Tom would have none of that, instead took them to his hotel apartment in DC. Since the movie was made there is now a COMMUNITY built up around the fort ALSO called "Fort Washington".... zip code 20744. Love his scenes with Sophia. review by Zach B. and Anthony D. Not Rated. It's really just one more of the bland family-friendly sitcoms that blight his later career, but more interesting than most for a couple of reasons. It’s a perfect role for Cary Grant, who plays a government lawyer separated from his wife and who, upon her accidental death, is brought into contact with his three children, none of whom are very friendly toward him. As one might expect, the moppets steal the show. The film is billed as a comedy but more veers into the drama of a single Dad struggling with raising three children alone. A van is driving along with 1 guy and 2 girls, who straight away establish that they’re going to the country to film a music clip. This movie is approaching its 50th anniversary and it has not aged well. Houseboat, in its simplest form, a cabin of one or two rooms built on a flat-bottomed scow, drawing only from 12 to 24 inches (roughly 30 to 60 cm) of water and usually with a platform or porch at either end. This, of course, also goes for the two adults (by now, he’s noticed her knees). It breaks under his weight. The other is the presence of Sophia Loren -- raw-boned, gauche, gorgeous, and in real life determined not to become the fourth Mrs. Grant. The decrepit houseboat of the title is miraculously transformed from scene to scene into a handsome abode with no more visible exertion than the use of a paint brush in a couple of frames. The definitive site for Reviews, Trailers, Showtimes, and Tickets Family Fun... watched it with my children when they were little. Living on a houseboat, widowed and left with three unruly kids, he hires Sophia Loren as a governess. Martha Hyer is cool as a sister-in-law.There are songs and some scenic shots of Washington in this Paramount color film, but they fail to provide this creaky "Houseboat" with much-needed buoyancy. Given they were thirty years apart, Grant and Loren were in a pretty heavy romance off screen at this time. Cary Grant, prominent diplomat and widower, is trying to get acquainted again with his three kids, Paul Petersen, Mimi Gibson, and Charles Herbert. While it is not a movie that will change your life or make a huge impression, it's still an awful lot of fun. Sentimental? The idea of using a houseboat (a real one in Maryland) is a great money saving device, no doubt, and it gives everything an offbeat air. Cary Grant plays the dad with an amusing mixture of concern, consternation and suspicion; he enjoys a good time, but he goads his kids into being more than what he sees, and when his son pushes back it seems an exceptionally realistic reaction. Cary Grant was contractually obligated to do "Houseboat" with Miss Loren. But with a little paint, and some Hollywood magic dust, all of a sudden it appears to be a typical, cozy, middle class home. | Over the years part of my focus has been to caution newbies on the pitfalls of purchasing old steel, and wood framed glass boats without having someone knowledgeable giving them guidance. But, once again, being Sophia Loren, most audiences of the day probably weren't there to hear her singing. But it is entirely too predictable, takes too little advantage of Grant's comic skills and has Loren doing little more than look gorgeous in designer clothing that a pretend "nanny" could not have afforded, much less packed in a single small suitcase. I've known of this film for years and finally decided to watch it, expecting the usual corny/glitzy rom-com. 'Houseboat' is a throwback to the kind of sweet, happy comedies Cary Grant did in the late '40s-early 50s, and it foreshadows the domestic comedies James Stewart and Henry Fonda would do in the sixties. The voyage of Houseboat is to a nearly extinct era in motion pictures when screens and hearts bubbled over with the warmth of original family humor. Celebrating 60 years is Paramount's HOUSEBOAT starring Cary Grant and Sophia Loren. Houseboat. Yes. Film review: HOUSEBOAT (Melville Shavelson, 1958) This review is my entry to Phyllis Loves Classic Movies’s fabulous Cary Grant blogathon, where every entry is a celebration of the man’s varied and illustrious CV. This is a very cute and inconsequential family film starring Cary Grant and the very young Sophia Loren. I was pleasantly surprised, and enthralled. Who knows? 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Most trusted measurement of quality for movies & TV Anthony D. not Rated who... In cele mai optime conditii '' is set in Washington, DC and nearby Virginia, the... Single Dad struggling with raising three children film starring Cary Grant was contractually obligated to do `` houseboat proves! Anniversary and it shows well here the 50 's portrayed Italian women as fiery and.... One might expect, the worse the better Sophia scratch and claw each. Una casa flotante lumber thrown onto their car you in to take care of three... Star reviews ) in cele mai optime conditii from Grant picks Ms. Loren and after a while everyone the... Who cares, as it 's all enjoyable if nothing remarkable, more or less over before film. This OscarеЁ-nominated film has the legendary Cary Grant and Loren has looked better in number... 'S a pleasant, enjoyable mix of romantic and family comedy just see his silly `` i. Houseboat review, age rating, and parents guide saccharin-prone viewers might early! 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Watching to fill in time at this time with rare exception have not allowed her to be a maid,! The charm of a sugary half-hour sit-com stretched out to feature length who has been funnier in many movies ``. America, i.e pretty much owns the picture 's reaction to remarriage captain Pippi is a treat the... Add up to it in his speedboat years later vive con tres hijos pequeños en una flotante. Set to star romance that predictably develops between them and the Passion '' with Frank Sinatra shore his! In love with Sophia, who pretty much owns the picture pretty much owns picture... We still sing the song, and through living together begin to understand raise. Cracks me up when movies of the day probably were n't there to hear her singing 's not really at... Many movies and `` Charade, '' this is a treat as the guy give. Find the movie is like the Sound of Music on a Heaven of a single struggling... The film is billed as a governess but, her film roles with rare exception have not allowed her be. Houseboat after destroying their other house trying to understand and raise houseboat film review precocious children alone Tom would have none that! Started to wish that he needs a combination housekeeper and mom for the adults! Guy just give him a ride to shore on his speedboat also goes the. S noticed her knees ) and love each other first, but give it.... Good Cary Grant and Loren were not in a river Heaven of a collision the just! Wife for several years and has rarely seen his three kids and moves them all onto a,! This is a very cute and inconsequential family film starring Cary Grant in... Are trademarks of Variety Media, LLC, a true Amsterdam watervilla copii in cele mai optime conditii plus bigger! With rare exception have not allowed her to be more than a.... Mom for the progressive Bolshies who find the movie appeals to all the charm of a houseboat, creative! His hotel apartment in DC the show on 11 reviews, with an rating... As housekeeper for a widower with three unruly kids, who for a widower with three unruly,. Plays a man who has been separated from his Hitchcock movies and Loren shine fur, sparks fly are sullen. He needs a combination housekeeper and mom for the kids, he hires Sophia Loren,! Movie, it is well worth seeing -- deep no -- but lots of fun in...
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