Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell (1968)

Best movie of this year hands down!

Simply A Masterpiece

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Gina Lollobrigida plays the title role in Buona Sera Mrs. Campbell a title that she appropriated for herself. Her past during those World War II years is coming back when an Army Air Corps unit that was stationed in her town is returning and Gina had three men occupy her in every sense of the word. One of them even left something behind.The something behind was her daughter Janet Margolin and she's been brought up to believe that her father was an American flier killed in action, an officer and a gentleman who did the right thing and married mom and left her a widow. But for the three men who are in the running for daddy, she named Peter Lawford, Telly Savalas, and Phil Silvers as the father and collects from all three.For 20 years Gina's been conning two of these guys and all three of the wives who are also coming. Shelley Winters is the mother of three precocious little lads and would love to have had a daughter with Phil Silvers. Peter Lawford and Marian McCargo have had no children and Telly Savalas and Lee Grant are also childless. In Savalas's case the doctors say he may be shooting blanks, but is he?This is an amusing comedy from a cast who know from comedy. Telly Savalas doesn't exactly have a light touch, but his character is similar to one he played in Battle Of The Bulge.DNA testing has certainly made a modern remake of this film not likely to have the same result. Today I think somebody would have demanded it.Phillippe LeRoy's character as Gina's faithful French boyfriend who threatens to go back to Bordeaux often doesn't make a lot of sense. In real life he'd have seen Bordeaux again a decade earlier.Still Buona Sera Mrs. Campbell does have a few laughs and most will find it amusing.

A delightful and heartwarming film that has stood up remarkably well when compared to other comedies of the 1960's. Both Gina Lollobrigida and Shelley Winters give good performances far outclassing the remainder of the cast. Phil Silvers is quite funny and Telly Savalas touching. In my opinion, the only cast member not up to the task is Peter Lawford - as boring as he usually is in any film in which he appears. It is odd that MGM/United Artist have not released the film on DVD, I'm sure that there are many people who would like to add it to their DVD collection. I have read that there are calls for the film to be remade but I don't think that it would work in today's arena. The film was right for its time but that time has now past and I feel that it's better to enjoy the film as it stands rather than try to remake it with a contemporary theme.

I had never even heard of this film until watching it the other morning. What a wonderful, racy for it's time sort of film. I loved absolutely everything about it. The characters, who would have thought to have placed those actors together. Compliments. The scenery was perfect and warm. Keeping the locals involved made it all the better. I am telling everyone about this film. Believe me, as not being a movie/TV watcher, this film stole my heart completely. Thank you AMC for showing it.The music was outstanding also. What a fantastic upbeat film with a wonderful message. Love, love loved it.

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.