Houseboat

The trailer from Paramount touts this 1958 film as “the most wonderful romantic comedy...ever!” Not quite, but, predictable as it is, the movie has its charms, thanks to its stars.At age 54 Cary Grant had his urbane, debonair and unflappable persona perfected. Here that persona is put to the test of parenthood. He is a government lawyer named Tom Winters whose ex-wife has died in a car crash and who now finds himself, after being absent for several years, thrust into the unfamiliar role of father to their three resentful kids (Mimi Gibson as Elizabeth, Charles Herbert as Robert, and Paul Peterson as David; Peterson was a veteran of “The Mickey Mouse Club” and was about to co-star on TV in “The Donna Reed Show”). Robert is the surliest of the trio: “I hate everybody, I hate everybody in the whole wide world!” The kids would prefer living with their Aunt Carolyn (Martha Hyer), or their grandparents, but Tom insists they belong with him (“I don’t want my kids parceled out like cabbages.”)Tom takes the kids to a small hotel room in Washington, D.C. where he’ll have to sleep on the couch for a while. After an outdoor concert, Robert runs off and soon meets another, older runaway, Cinzia Zaccardi (Sophia Loren), daughter of the concert’s orchestra conductor (Eduardo Ciannelli). (His manager, by the way, is played by Werner Klemperer, seven years before co-starring as Colonel Klink on TV’s “Hogan’s Heroes.”) She’s running away from her father’s autocratic ways, looking to spread her wings in America and live a little. (Loren was 24 when the film came out. She was not unknown to American audiences, having already co-starred with Grant and Frank Sinatra in “The Pride and the Passion” and opposite John Wayne in “Legend of the Lost.”)Cinzia and Robert bond at a carnival where Cinzia cheats at a ring-toss game to win a new harmonica for him. When she returns the boy to the hotel, Tom, not knowing anything about her, offers her a job as housekeeper/babysitter (after she first slaps him for implying she’s, shall we say, a woman of the streets). She declines but, after another argument with her father, she accepts. (When she tells her father she’ll get a job and support herself, he retorts, “I have given you the finest education in all of Europe. You do not know how to do anything!” She tops him with, “Then perhaps, Father, I will run for the congress.”)Needing more room for his brood, Tom agrees to live in a “guest house” of Aunt Carolyn’s (a two-story domicile being moved by truck to a site on her property—her family is clearly well-off. Disaster strikes on their way to the country when the house, being moved by Angelo Donatello (Harry Guardino) gets stuck on some railroad tracks and is demolished by a passenger train. To make up for this oops moment, Angelo offers them the temporary shelter of a houseboat on the Potomac. Said houseboat is basically a sea-going slum, but the adversity of fixing it up helps bond the family. There’s also the problem that housekeeper Cinzia doesn’t know how to cook. Or do laundry. (Seeing Cary Grant in a laundromat between gossipy women is a hoot.)Angelo has some smarmy feelings for Cinzia, referring to her as an “Italian pastry,” but quickly takes himself out of the running when the subject of matrimony comes up. Aunt Carolyn, meanwhile, has eyes for brother-in-law Tom, now that her own marriage is on the rocks. Little Elizabeth has been cuddling with Tom during stormy nights and soon suspects her father and Cinzia might be falling in love. Thinking she might be evicted from papa’s bunk, she asks Cinzia, “Listen, about married people. Do they sleep in the same bed together?” Cinzia: “In America, sometimes. In Italy, always.” Which is about as risqué as a 1958 American film got.There are two songs by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans in the film. One, “Bing! Bang! Bong!” is sung several times too often by Loren, but the other, “Almost In Your Arms” was nominated for a Best Song Oscar (“You’re near/That moment so dear/I’m almost in your arms/One sigh/One word and I/Will rush to your embrace./Say that certain word/Sigh that certain sigh....”) It’s heard while Tom and Cinzia are slow dancing at a Country Club dance, sung by pop star Sam Cooke (who is heard but not seen; was the Country Club restricted? At least he got screen credit). The song lost to Lerner and Loewe’s title song from “Gigi.”The script, co-written by director Melville Shavelson and Jack Rose, was nominated for Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen, but lost to “The Defiant Ones.” (Shavelson would direct Loren again two years later in “It Started In Naples,” with Clark Gable.)Martha Hyer was nominated that year for Best Supporting Actress, but in a different movie, “Some Came Running,” from MGM; Wendy Heller won for “Separate Tables.”The film comes with Closed Captioning. The only extra on the DVD besides the theatrical trailer is a photo gallery of black-and-white publicity stills and lobby cards.

There aren't too many roles in which I find Cary Grant disagreeable, but this is one of them. Of course, since it's Cary Grant, I stayed vexed only so long before he eventually won me over with his dang charm. He plays a harried father who tries hard to care for his three unhappy children, only, he's appallingly rusty when it comes to parenting. See, he'd been neglectful of his young brood, so work-obssessed he'd allowed the ex-wife to be the primary custodian. When the ex passes away, Tom Winters chooses to take responsibility for his two boys and little girl, never mind that they'd rather stay with their grandparents. He whisks them away, anyway.The plot synopsis to Houseboat goes like so: "A lawyer with three children lives on a houseboat with an Italian symphony conductor's daughter as his maid." No, Mr. Winters never intended for them to inhabit a creaky houseboat. It just worked out that way. Initially, he sets himself and the kids up in a cramped apartment in Washington, DC. Of course, the kids detest their new digs.Sophia Loren plays 22-year-old Cinzia Zaccardi, feisty socialite and spoiled daughter of a celebrated symphony conductor. Cinzia can't cook or wash or sew or dust. She is, instead, posh and cultured, having attended the best schools in Switzerland. Cinzia has accompanied her father (Eduardo Ciannelli) for his orchestra's American tour. But she's fed up with being on display all the time, having to behave all the time. She's bored out of her gourd and restless. One evening, during the Washington, D.C. leg of the tour, she slips away into the night seeking to experience proper American nightlife. She creeps into a rowboat and promptly bumps into a runaway child and his harmonica.You can't blame the kid for being smitten. He follows Cinzia to a street carnival, and she's swell enough of a dame that she dances with the little fella. And, a bit later, she even takes him home to his worried father. Who, you guessed it, is Tom Winters.It's a long-about way of telling you how Cinzia met Mr. Winters. Note that, at this stage, Cinzia looks far from kempt, what with having reveled and cavorted most of the evening. So maybe you shouldn't condemn the man for thinking she's this poor immigrant girl, especially since she spins a yarn about being a G.I. bride, well, almost a G.I. bride, except the G.I. didn't marry her and so she had to go look for work... What with his youngest having taken a shine to her, what else can Mr. Winters, who tops his children's sh-- list, do but offer her a job as a live-in housekeeper?And then this and that happens - much of it amusing - and they all end up living on a creaky houseboat.So, the kids. The oldest, 13-year-old David, is a surly, aspiring kleptomaniac. The daughter is frightened of storms and, as it turns out, only wants for her father to comfort her and reassure her. The youngest, as you know, is a runaway.1958's Houseboat was a huge success despite the crazy behind-the-scenes soap opera stuff going on. Reportedly, Cary Grant was mightily crushing on Sophia Loren, but his romantic advances were met with a resounding "meh" from Loren (who was already involved with another older gent). Further fueling the melodrama, this was supposed to be the third vehicle to co-star Grant and his then wife Betsy Drake (who also wrote the screenplay), except Grant supposedly finagled to replace her with Loren. To compound the insult, Betsy's screenplay was almost entirely retooled by screenwriters Melville Shavelson (who also directed) and Jack Rose, and Betsy got no writing credit. Moreoever, the new script received an Oscar nod for Best Original Story and Screenplay. I feel ya, Betsy.Onscreen, Grant and Loren generate fantastic chemistry. Yes, Grant spends much of the movie being this oblivious, distracted dad, but his comic timing remains impeccable, and I just couldn't stay grouchy at him, never mind that I knew where the kids were coming from. The revelation to me was Loren's superb knack for comedy. I'd never seen her so accessible without sacrificing her va-va-voomness, her image of the earthy sex goddess. Each time I watch this movie, I fall in love with her all over again as she croons the fabulous "Almost In Your Arms," but in Italian. It's a song that got the Oscar nod, as well, for Best Original Song. But at least Betsy Drake didn't write it.

Enjoyable movie! Cary Grant gives his funny performance to entertain you.

Yes, I love the video. It was another memory with my mom.

DVD was an ok quality. It is one of my favorite movies so I was glad to be able to purchase one.

I saw this movie at a drive-in with my parents not long after its release. I'm about year younger than Paul Petersen is, and it was his character that I identified with the most. To me, as a boy, the movie was not so much a comedy, because I did not like the way Paul's character was treated by the adults. Well, of course, having seen the movie as an adult, I see it as the romantic comedy it was designed to be, and it is very well done, especially by the kids in it. My point is the I became an admirer of Paul Petersen's acting, and then later as an adult, I admire him for his child actor advocacy. If you'd like a look behind the scenes of what it was like being a child actor in those days, read his book "Walt, Mickey, and Me."

First off a few words about the technical details of the DVD I purchased: This is the German release under the title "Hausboot". Cover notes are in German only, however DVD menus are in English and by default the film will play in English without subtitles. Optional English (and various other language) subtitles are available. The film is presented in widescreen format. Picture quality is very nice with good vibrant colours. Sound quality is also good.As to the film, it's a fluffy romcom from the late 1950s starring Cary Grant opposite Sophia Loren. Grant is a widower who after the death of his estranged wife finds himself looking after his three children. He's had very little contact with them over the past few years, and he is hopelessly out of his depth. Loren is the spirited daughter of a famous Italian orchestra conductor on tour in America, bored with her luxury surroundings and exclusive dinner parties. One night she escapes out of a window and soon after they all somehow end up living on a derelict houseboat with Loren as the maid hired to look after Grant's children.The story is predictable, the comedy is gently without any laugh out loud moments, and the whole thing is a bit dated. But if you're a fan of Cary Grant chances are you're good with a bit of nostalgia. And if it's a couple hours of escapism you're looking for this should keep you entertained very nicely. It's not one of Cary Grant's better films, but he is always watchable, and Sophia Loren is drop dead gorgeous (she always is) and her character very likable to boot. What's not to like?

Excellent light hearted story suitable for all ages. Grant is supposed to have been very keen on Loren during the making of this film but she repudiates his advances which makes the tension between the two on screen all the more electric. Very entertaining, great dialogue as always in Grants movies. Superb acting from both Loren and Grant. Comical at times this is a very humane story of true love.

Cary Grant is one of my all time favourite actors who plays along side Sophia Loren in houseboat. I haven't seen this film in a long time and it was great to watch and own on dvd now I can watch anytime I want to. The story line between these two is magical, funny and just lovely. Cary plays a single father of three, 2 boys and 1 girl whose mother has died and Cary has been a part time father to his children when all of a sudden he has to go full time, something he is not prepared for. His wife's sister starts to feel for Cary romantically even though she is married. He lives in a small apartment not suited for children when he decides to make some changes. Sophia's character is an only child of a famous Italian composer who is visiting New York with her father's work, she gets bored quite quickly and decides to run away, at the same time the youngest of Cary's boys has got lost whilst watching Sophia's father's concert. Sophia and the youngest boy meet where she accompanies him around the fairground playing games of hoopla to win a harmonica she finally takes him home to Cary. This is the first time Cary and Sophia's characters meet, it isn't love at first sight but his youngest wants her to stay as his new found friend and after all she wants to explore what life / New York has to offer her. After a while Cary agrees she can stay to look after the children. Cary has sublet his apartment and has to find something bigger for his family to live; he is promised a wonderful house and agrees to see it and this is the houseboat, and it's in bad repair. To cut a long story short Sophia educates Carry in parenting, i.e. listening, patience and enjoying his children whilst there young. Cary starts see a different side of Sophia but there is the engagement between him and his wife's sister but finally he see's sense and sure enough a happy ending is inevitable. This is lovely feel good film probably best known as a chic flick.

One of Cary grants best comedies with Sophia Loren at her most beautiful.After viewing the film discovered that both stars had been in love with each other. Maybe that's why it such a special film the chemistry on screen shows.The children were great actors and gave Sophia a rough time when she fell in love with their widowed father Cary.Happy ending makes it worthwhile.One of those films you can watch with the family over and over again

Cary Grant and Sophia Loren - if you like them then you can't help but like this film. Ms Loren sings in it too.Basically absent father becomes successful father; reluctant lover becomes enchanted husband. Usual thing with the added warmth and light comedy of a couple of film stars who have done it all before - successfully.