Houseboat

Plot synopsis:
For several years, Tom Winters (Grant) has been estranged from his wife and their three children, David (Petersen), Elizabeth (Gibson), and Robert (Herbert). The film begins as he returns home from Europe shortly after his wife's death. The children want to stay in the country with their mother's wealthy family, including her parents and her sister Carolyn (Hyer), but Tom takes them to Washington, D.C., where he works in the US State Department.
The children resent their father, and, at an outdoor concert, Robert runs away. He is found by Cinzia Zaccardi (Loren). She too is running away and is enchanted by little "Roberto" and his harmonica. When she brings him back home, Tom offers her a job as a maid, unaware she is the daughter of a famous Italian orchestra conductor. She eventually accepts.
Carolyn, now divorced from her husband, offers Tom and the children her old guest house, which was supposed to be moved to a new foundation. However, while the guest house is being towed down the road, it is smashed by an Atlantic Coast Line passenger train after the tow-truck driver, Angelo Donatello (Guardino), flirts with Cinzia and accidentally hits Tom's car. Feeling guilty, Angelo sells Tom his leaky, run-down, old houseboat.
Once moved in, Tom discovers that Cinzia is unable to cook, do laundry, or make coffee. Carolyn and others incorrectly assume that Cinzia's relationship with Tom is sexual, while she innocently wins the affection of Tom and the children. Meanwhile, Tom spends his evenings with Carolyn, who is secretly in love with him. On the 4th of July, she tries to embarrass Cinzia by selecting a gaudy dress for Tom to buy for her, but Cinzia transforms it into an elegant evening gown. She looks so beautiful in the gown that Angelo, a confirmed womanizer, cancels a date with her out of a fear of falling in love and proposing to her.
That evening, Carolyn arrives at the boat with Captain Alan Wilson (Murray Hamilton) and his wife. Alan, who is somewhat drunk, jokes about Cinzia's living arrangement with Tom and slaps her on the behind as she serves drinks. She calls him an ill-mannered lout and throws a drink in his face before walking off. Tom asks Alan to leave the boat, but Carolyn takes Alan's side, following which Tom asks all three guests to leave. David cheers Cinzia up, and they make plans to go fishing, but Tom ruins David's plans by inviting Cinzia to the country club dance. Once there, Tom reconciles with Carolyn, and they agree to get married. As he dances with Cinzia, he finally realizes he is in love with her, but she learns of the proposal, becomes upset, and runs away. Tom catches her and breaks it off with Carolyn. A little while later, David unhappily finds them passionately kissing in a rowboat.
The children do not want Tom to marry Cinzia. David calls her ugly, Robert rejects her as a mother figure, and Elizabeth wants to continue sleeping in Tom's bed with him. Discouraged by this, Cinzia returns to her father, Maestro Zaccardi, but Tom follows her and she accepts Tom's proposal after her father (Cianelli) scolds her. The wedding takes place on the houseboat. The children initially refuse to participate in the ceremony, but as it begins, Elizabeth and David join Tom and Cinzia at the altar, and Robert joins them, playing "Here Comes the Bride" on his harmonica.

Tags: romantic

Review:
Cary Grant repeating his romantic comedy work for the umpteenth time, works well with the ravishing and radiant Sophia Loren.
Given they were thirty years apart, Grant and Loren were in a pretty heavy romance off screen at this time.
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.
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.
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.
'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.
Granted, there is more romance (and with Sophia Loren as the objection of affection, Cary has it all OVER Jimmy and Hank!) 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).Living in a rundown houseboat to save on expenses, Grant and his family's lives had become a boring routine, until the arrival of Hurricane Loren, with her Italian philosophy, her singing, and her unmistakable femininity and sex appeal (which introduces oldest son Paul Peterson to the joys of puberty, and to daughter Mimi Gibson and younger son Charles Herbert a mother-figure they both needed).
The question then becomes, when will Cary 'wake up', and realize everything he needs is right on the houseboat?Filmed after Grant and Loren's whirlwind affair during the filming of 'The Pride and the Passion', the film was a bittersweet experience for both stars, particularly shooting the wedding scene, as Grant still desperately wanted to marry Loren, but she had already decided to remain with longtime love Carlo Ponti.
Viewers aware of the 'behind-the-scenes' story will appreciate the performances of the two leads even more!After you watch 'Houseboat', catch the flipside of this story in Grant's later 'Father Goose', as a drunken reprobate with a boat who must deal with governess Leslie Caron and her charges!
The two films make a fascinating double-feature, and showcases Cary Grant's amazing versatility!Seen either way, 'Houseboat' is a delight!.
Widowed lawyer Cary Grant hires Sophia Loren to take care of his three kids and moves them all onto a houseboat.
Cary Grant, prominent diplomat and widower, is trying to get acquainted again with his three kids, Paul Petersen, Mimi Gibson, and Charles Herbert.
He's also got a sister-in-law, Martha Hyer, crushing out on him big time.But after the youngest kid, Herbert, wanders away after a concert, he meets Sophia Loren who is also running away from her conductor father, Eduardo Ciannelli.
They are soul mates Herbert and Loren and before long she's moved in on the Grant family.Which is forced by circumstance I won't reveal to live on a houseboat in the woods in Maryland.
Cary gets a lot of good mileage out of the comedy.This was Cary and Sophia's second film together and it was one big improvement on the overblown Pride and the Passion.
No doubt that the two of them were still involved from The Pride and the Passion lends a lot of truth in the scenes Grant and Loren play together.Also look for a nice performance by Harry Guardino who's the one who is responsible for the group being on the Houseboat.Houseboat is a nice family comedy and hasn't aged a bit from the Fifties when it was made..
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.Will Grant marry his strait-laced sister-in-law?Will he fall for Sophia's mediterranean charms?You will have to see this movie for that.
I watched it as a "Cary Grant movie" which is a category like a "Greta Garbo movie." And he's good, though there are no real sparks on screen between him and Sofia Loren, a substitute for Grant's wife of the moment, who wrote the original script.
Famously, Grant had been trying to woo Loren for months during their previous film, and he may or may not have gotten anywhere, but by this filming she made clear she wasn't interested, and even got married (to Carlo Ponti) while this one was being shot.The plot is fun but the film is a bit plasticky.
Pairing Sophia Loren and Cary Grant in a romantic comedy must have sounded like a great idea -- and the script, such as it is, might have served in the Fifties.
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.
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.
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.The kids are remarkably charm-free, the novelty of the houseboat is tiresome, and the plot is entirely predictable.However, if Sophia Loren is your cup of tea, then by all means feast your eyes.
A better idea for all concerned might have been to dispense with the family angle, and have it be a romantic drama with Grant and Harry Guardino -- who does a lot with a little here -- vying for her charms..
Every element is the worst of the Hollywood formula system:  the way that one of the world's most glamorous women is made up and photographed as actually ugly. the vapid appeal to "Saturday Post" notions of religion, something that would offend even a Texas fundamentalist. the completely valueless and nonsensical dynamics of the romantic situation on both sides: the sister-in-law cum lover then dumped and the presumably hotblooded impetuous runaway daughter cum maid then second wife. the blatant theft of the Buster Keaton bit about the train hitting the house, except all we see are some Styrofoam boards thrown toward Grant. the promising setup of the houseboat that is utterly ignored. the bankable humor of Grant that seems to have been deliberately avoided at every opportunity.
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.
It stars Cary Grant, Sophia Loren, Martha Hyer, Paul Petersen, Charles Herbert, Harry Guardino and Mimi Gibson.
A Vista Vision production in Technicolor, music is by George Duning and cinematography by Ray June.Widower Tom Winters (Grant) is reunited with his three estranged young children and finds they don't particularly think too highly of him.
Even though she has no discernible skills for the job, Tom hires Cinzia to be the maid to the Winters family, which once they wind up living on a rickety houseboat, has life affirming consequences for all of them.Family drama, a romantic comedy, a 54 year old Cary Grant as the romantic lead opposite a 24 year old Sophia Loren as the prime love interest.
Behind the scenes sparks as Grant yearns deeply to be Loren's better half, to which she responds by marrying Carlo Ponti, while Grant's then wife, Betsy Drake, gets passed over for the role given to Loren in a film based on an original script that she wrote herself!
Houseboat is an utterly delightful picture, a throwback to time when Hollywood knew how to produce charming family friendly movies.
There's the odd musical interlude to tap your feet along with as well.With Grant showing more comic ability with just facial expressions than many of today's comedy actors can provide in an hour of film, Houseboat is very much essential viewing for the Grant purists.
Bonus, too, is the child actors, wonderfully directed by Shavelson, there's no irritants here, just honest and engaging reactions to scenes and scripting that stop the formula becoming stagnant, while Guardino shines bright as a commitment phobic Lothario.Delightfully warm as a rom-com, but not ignorant to the trials and tribulations of a family coming to terms with a big change, Houseboat is always on safe entertainment waters.
The movie's real joy is seeing Sophia Loren in some of those revealing outfits (well, as revealing as was allowed in 1958).
This excellent comedy stars Cary Grant as a Washington lawyer during the Second World War, and Sophia Loren as the daughter of an Italian conductor, who is hired as nanny for Grant's three children.
Due to the war housing shortage, they live on a houseboat moored in a river.The kids need a mother, and hope to get one out of Loren.
Lead by Paul Petersen as David, the oldest, they conspire to match Cinzia the nanny with their Dad. Not that Dad needs much persuading, who would when faced with Sophia Loren at her best!See also Loren in It Happened in Naples (1960) where she plays a similar role in landing Clark Gable for a husband and father to her young nephew (Marietto)..
A charming family film made overwhelmingly so by the irresistible presence of Cary and Sophia..
A sitcom done right, a rarity, and there's no denying the appeal of Sophia Loren and Cary Grant, both obviously in love with each other offscreen, as well as on.
Wholesome and sexy-looking SOPHIA LOREN in real life was a total turn-on for CARY GRANT (he wanted to marry her) who probably insisted that she be his co-star in this little romp.
Too bad these two co-starred in another little disaster called THE PRIDE AND THE PASSION--sounds like a description of their on again/off again stormy love affair in real life.Once the scene shifts to the houseboat, the atmosphere is claustrophobic rather than cheery and you keep wondering how long it's going to take for Grant and Loren to realize they'd be happy together.Grant was maturing nicely by the late '50s, but I wish he'd been paired with more mature actresses beyond their twenties, since Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren seem much too young for him.
This is another lighter-than-air 1950's Rom-Com that takes place in an alternative universe where (most) everyone is happy and clever and polite and wealthy and beautiful / handsome.And that's not a -bad- thing, especially when you need some mindless entertainment to lower your blood pressure after watching / reading the daily news.This is the story of Cary Grant, a widower with three young children who ends up (through some convoluted circumstances) with Sophia Loren as his "maid" to help care for his children on a broken down old houseboat.I'm sure you can guess how this all plays out.Cary comes off as a little too pig-headed and clueless at times, while Sophia strikes just the right balance between smoldering sex symbol and good girl.
They are forced to live with their estranged father Tom Winters (Cary Grant) in Washington, D.C. At a concert festival, Robert gets lost and befriended by Cinzia Zaccardi (Sophia Loren).
They're given an old houseboat instead.There're a lot of slapping for a romance movie and they're no small swipes.
Then, the setting of a houseboat in rural Virginie is fun and scenic while costumes, script and lively direction help move the movie along well.
You watch the movie and Sophia Loren.
Sophia Loren and Cary Grant.
Cary Grant plays Tom Winters, a widower and a father to three kids, David (Paul Petersen), Elizabeth (Mimi Gibson) and Robert (Charles Herbert).Tom gets unexpected help from the Italian Cinzia (Sophia Loren).Soon they find themselves from a lousy Houseboat.Melville Shavelson's Houseboat (1958) was nominated for two Oscars.It is a very nice romantic comedy for the whole family.Cary Grant and Sophia Loren make a great team in it.All the child actors are wonderful.Martha Hyer plays Carolyn Gibson.Harry Guardino is Angelo Donatello.Werner Klemperer is Harold Messner.Kathleen Freeman is seen there as Laundromat gossip.The movie is funny in many places, like when Robert plays the harmonica at the concert.And the song with a bing, bang, bong is very amusing..
Cary Grant and Sophia Loren in a romantic comedy about a man who was to be divorced only to lose his wife in a car accident.
In the midst of this is Martha Hyer, Grant's sister-in-law, who has recently separated from her husband and has confessed openly that she wants Grant.In the interim, we have a lovely Sophia Loren, who wishes to break away from her conductor father.
It is his incompetence that leads all to the houseboat.The film belongs to Grant and Miss Loren.
My first Sophia Loren film, and it was fun..
This is my first ever Sophia Loren film and I had quite a fun time watching it.
This is a very cute and inconsequential family film starring Cary Grant and the very young Sophia Loren.
Cary is a widower who lives on a houseboat with his kids.
Considering she was a great housekeeper (though she couldn't cook), loved the kids and was built like,....Sophia Loren, it certainly isn't surprising that by the end of the film Cary has also recognized her as prime wife material.
The other is the presence of Sophia Loren -- raw-boned, gauche, gorgeous, and in real life determined not to become the fourth Mrs. Grant.
Cary Grant was in love with Sophia Loren (who wouldn't be) when that film began.
By the time, 'Passion' was completed, Loren was no longer interested in Grant.
Cary Grant was contractually obligated to do "Houseboat" with Miss Loren.
Vintage Cary Grant with fresh Sophia Loren..
Getting a nanny sure would be nice, plus a bigger place.Enters Cinzia (Sophia Loren), well educated daughter traveling with her famous conductor father, Tom's young son wanders away after the concert and ends up spending the evening with Cinzia.
In addition, Hyer is divorcing her husband and has had an eye for Tom since she was 4, and wanted him now.Cary Grant and Sophia Loren are an odd pairing, and was no doubt done to capitalize on their popularity.
"Houseboat" proves that being a Cary Grant film is NOT a guarantee for entertainment.
It is said that Grant was once in love with his co-star Sophia Loren and, since she married Carlo Ponti, he did not want to make this film.
The story cannot decide between being a serious approach about parental problems, in particular widowed fathers who have lost contact to their children, and a lighthearted comedy about a father of three getting an Italian housekeeper who is too pretty to be ignored and shows the father how to treat children well.If that would not be enough there is a sister-in-law, quite nice and pretty too, and loved by the children as well, who is madly in love with Grant and he seems to like her too.
And it looks like Grant REALLY felt uncomfortable with the kids.As other reviewers already pointed out, there are so many visual faults: 1.
A Movie That Doesn't Deserve Sophia Loren !.
So, accordingly, don't wait for comedy, sexy moments, or thrilling ones !The things to be watched in here : The scene of Cary Grant talking philosophically, yet beautifully, to his kid about life and death; only in the 1950s I think.
The looks of Grant to Sophia; Oh my god, the man was in deep desperate love with her indeed.
Compared to it Grant and Loren's earlier movie, (The Pride and the Passion – 1957), is way more interesting; at least she danced a real *dance* there !.
Houseboat (1958): Dir: Melville Shavelson / Cast: Cary Grant, Sophia Loren, Martha Hyer, Murray Hamilton, Mimi Gibson: Meaningful comedy that will likely strike a cord with similar families.
Title describes the odd relationship between widower Cary Grant and nanny Sophia Loren.
Martha Hyer plays Grant's sister-in-law whom meddles both in family and in romance.
As a kid in that era, I dreamed of Sophia Loren and thought she was the most beautiful woman (along with Lana Turner) on earth.Together on screen there is unmistakable chemistry...and why not...there had been a torrid affair in real life not long before this film was made.The story itself is not terribly unique, but it's a good story of a widower who is led to rediscover his children by a mystery woman he thinks is a poor Italian girl.
Schmaltzy But Fun. Following hot on the heels of that enjoyable period romp 'The Pride & The Passion' came 'Houseboat'.A gracefully-ageing Carry Grant had developed an infatuation with hot-to-trot Sohia Loren whilst making the earlier movie, and his off-screen extra-marital dalliance with her became the gossip of Hollywood.
It was almost inevitable, then, that Grant and Loren would be cast together in some follow-up outing.'Houseboat' is a typical Hollywood schmaltz-fest.
Grant plays a widower with three comparatively estranged kids, Loren is a disaffected Italian tomboy turned society-girl masquerading as a housemaid.At their arrival on the boat, Grant's character already has a love interest, but she can see what Grant evidently can't; that it isn't safe for him to have a housemaid/nanny like the voluptuous Ms Loren.