TrueJoshNight Truly Dreadful Film

SunnyHello Nice effects though.

BeSummers Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.

Darin One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

waverlyring This is not so much a review of the film as it's more a clarification. Grant and Loren were NOT in a hot and heavy affair when this picture was made. Their affair was more or less over before this film was started. They had previously co-starred in "The Pride And The Passion" with Frank Sinatra. 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. He agreed to, with the chance he could still win over his co-star. As a previous reviewer mentioned, Miss Loren was determined to NOT be the next Mrs. Grant. This, of course, makes their romance scenes all the more tense and interesting. Good acting? Who knows?

screenman 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. (Looking at Ms Loren in either movie it is hard to imagine how even 'ol blue eyes' managed to keep his powder dry). 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. But there are, I think, several features that save it from the sin-bin. First and foremost is Sophia Loren. And I don't think I'm betraying a hormone problem when I say that she is both the sexiest and most beautiful woman ever to grace the cinema screen. I find it hard to believe that any red-blooded male could feature opposite her and not be encumbered with a spontaneous erection. Grant's wife must have been an imbecile to let him anywhere near her. However.Carry Grant is not my particular taste in heroes. He strikes the diffident pose as the American interpretation of an English gentleman, and that, along with his oleaginous voice endues him with an air of shallow pomposity, one that is ripe for a moral lesson. Which is usually the role he plays. At best; he's a one-dimensional actor, but he's good at what he does, when he does it right. And he does it right here.His and Ms Loren's arrival at the houseboat is a classic piece of contrived, circuitous Hollywood light melodrama. 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. (This writer would have traded-up in about 10 minutes). Things hinge upon this love-triangle. The other actors are scripted merely to pad their romance out. Basically; its 'The Sound Of Music' but without the songs, scenery or swastikas.There's the usual comedy of manners. Ms Loren's character has already flipped for Grant, but he hasn't noticed. In the meantime, she has spent a lot of time with his kids and become something of a mother/big sister to them all. But not quite. There is a very subtle and rather tragic little bi-line, because the eldest son is at the cusp of puberty and just about old enough to have developed a puppy-love for his comely nanny. Which, of course - like Grant - she hasn't noticed either. In her moments of dejection, he has been a leal companion and has misconstrued her confidences and the strength and substance of her feelings towards him.To anyone who can remember being in such a predicament, the whole thing is presented with great fidelity, including the boy's peremptory rejection - he is still just a boy, and that's only how the nanny sees him - and his painful disappointment with a sense of betrayal. The 'child' actor (I think it's Paul Petersen) turns in a very creditable performance and I truly grieve for his juvenile distress, having been there myself.Finally, the hitherto dowdily-dressed Ms Loren is provided with an outfit that fully flaunts her astonishing figure and Mr Grant's loins are are last aroused to the perfectly bleeding obvious.Yes; it's (for the most part) a predictable schmaltz-fest. Much of the backdrop is painted and elements of the houseboat look very artificial; yet that needn't spoil one's pleasure. That its production has the look of a stage play never compromises the story, players, or their skillful portrayal.Everyone makes a good turn, especially - as mentioned - the kids. Excellent Werner Klemperer (Hogan's Heroes) brings his own light comic touch. But for me (biased by my hormones) the movie is a cinch for Sophia Loren, who moves between a child-like persona and full-blown womanhood with an intelligence and subtlety that is the mark of a great actress.Don't let the critics discourage you. If you analyse production values it may seem pretty weak, but if you look for its more enduring qualities there's a lot of pleasure to be had.

MartinHafer This is a very cute and inconsequential family film starring Cary Grant and the very young Sophia Loren. While it is not a movie that will change your life or make a huge impression, it's still an awful lot of fun. Cary is a widower who lives on a houseboat with his kids. The trouble is that he needs a combination housekeeper and mom for the kids, so he goes about trying to hire one. He picks Ms. Loren and after a while everyone in the family succumbs to her very ample charms. 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. Predictable,...yes. But who cares, as it's a lot of fun and yet another nice outing from Grant. Plus, the romance that predictably develops between them and the way the film ends is highly entertaining. While I give this movie only a 7, it is well worth seeing--deep no--but lots of fun. About the only serious negative is the REALLY annoying song that Loren sings throughout the movie. But, once again, being Sophia Loren, most audiences of the day probably weren't there to hear her singing.

TxMike "Houseboat" is set in Washington, DC and nearby Virginia, including the houseboat on the Potomac. 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. But Tom would have none of that, instead took them to his hotel apartment in DC. 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. When she brings him home, both dirty, Tom thinks this "peasant" might make a good nanny. Never mind that she was also gorgeous.The houseboat becomes the gimmick to set up the dynamics of the story. While a cottage is being moved for them, sold by Tom's sister in law (Martha Hyer), it stalls on the tracks and gets destroyed by the train. The truck driver just happens to have a houseboat on the Potomac to rent them. But it is dilapidated, the roof leaks, and a host of problems crop up to keep the comedy flowing. 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. Grant was over 50, and was to make only a few more movies. Loren was 23 and while she was a seasoned actress in foreign films, was still relatively new to American cinema. Still, we the audience believe they can become romantically involved.It was nice to see a young Paul Petersen as Tom's son, David. I remember Petersen mostly for his 8-year stint on the old Donna Reed TV show, playing one of her sons. He is a real brat in "Houseboat."SPOILERS: In the end all gets sorted, Tom has to reject Hyer's proposal, he isn't in love with her. Cinzia at first leaves to return home, but then comes back and she and Tom are married, and the kids are happy. They also leave the houseboat.