Artivels
Undescribable Perfection
Janae Milner
Easily the biggest piece of Right wing non sense propaganda I ever saw.
Kaydan Christian
A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.
JohnHowardReid
Producer: Sol C. Siegel. Copyright 20 May 1954 by 20th Century-Fox Film Corporation. New York opening at the Roxy: 20 May 1954. U.S. release: 20 May 1954. U.K. release: September 1954. London opening at the Carlton. Australian release: 23 December 1954. Sydney opening at the Regent. 9,156 feet. 102 minutes. SYNOPSIS: Three American office girls find love while working in Rome.NOTES: Negulesco re-made the movie in 1964 as "The Pleasure Seekers", starring Ann-Margret, Carol Lynley, Pamela Tiffin, Gene Tierney and Tony Franciosa.Number ten in the annual survey of American film critics conducted by "The Film Daily".Second only to "The Robe" as Fox's top money-maker of the 1953-54 season. Initial domestic gross exceeded $10 million.COMMENT: It's good news when critics and moviegoers all agree. "Three Coins in the Fountain" is a most delightful film. Former painter, Jean Negulesco, rates as one of the few directors who instinctively knew how to crowd the CinemaScope screen artistically, yet with dramatic effectiveness. Negulesco and Krasner really fill up their whole canvas with dazzling views. The Italian countryside, plus a quick diversion to Venice, are seen to advantage, as well, of course, as Rome itself. There's even a short but ingratiating travelogue sequence preceding the main titles. And as for the titles themselves, their charm is enlivened by the voice-over of Frank Sinatra singing the haunting title tune.Although top-billed, Clifton Webb does not have the largest role, but is nonetheless handed some wonderfully waspish lines by screenwriter John Patrick: "Punctuality is the vice of virtuous women." (Patrick has also expertly papered over one or two plot holes stemming from the original novel).Most of the action centers on Maggie McNamara, here slightly unsure of herself (or perhaps miscast) despite her smash success in "The Moon Is Blue". Fortunately, the other players, led by charismatic Jean Peters, warm-hearted Dorothy McGuire, robust Rossano Brazzi and charming Louis Jourdan, more than take up the slack.A terrific crowd-pleaser in its time, "Three Coins in the Fountain" has lost none of its appeal today.
noitebras
Many wars and crimes have erased the idealistic, romantic dreams of that fossil mid 20th century leading us closer to Huxley and Orwellian nightmares. "Three coins" is a simple movie which matches wonderfully a music theme sang by Sinatra. It's 3 uncomplicated stories about the desire to get married and live, whenever possible, in pleasant company. It surprises me how all the magic charm of Rome has survived the unforgiving passing of time. Enhanced by a great photo and a excellently revamped version. There it is, the eternal city, inviting us all to go visit and maybe throw a coin in Trevi Fountain. You may get a pinch, a stolen handbag or the love of a lively Italian. Anything goes. Is it that bad having reveries about a "Golden Age" where no blood, crime, or sadistic feelings is a must to get a money-making flick? If you want an uncomplicated film, with a simple but intelligent script you are entitled to take a break and get ready for yet another tough & realistic day after this charming, romantic fantasy. If you prefer something somber, there is always, of course, "Game of Thrones" ...
val-mainwood
Lighten up, boys and girls! You must allow the director to display irony and fun in a feel-good movie in Rome not long after the fall of fascism! And how exotic it must have appeared to most of the world's population who at that time had not travelled abroad.It does make you wonder how those secretaries could afford those glamorous clothes, and be so close to princes and movers and shakers of post-war Rome. Perhaps a gentle poke at role reversal?One of the best tunes ever written, wonderful locations, and I don't care a damn about the Trevi fountain behaving inconsistently - that is the nature of fountains, and in Rome they are all drenched in magic!
BOUF
It's been plagiarised and remade so many times that it seems very ho-hum these days, but even when I first saw it, aged about 14, I wondered why the gorgeous Dorothy McGuire was considered to be old, and why she felt so strongly for the Clifton Webb character, who clearly (to me) was not romantically interested in women. It's a shame that so little is seen of Anita (Jean Peters, one of those tragically under-used actresses), who is a much more interesting character than the breathtakingly dull Maria (Maggie MacNamara). Maria comes to Rome from the mid West and leaves after a month because she's unsuccessful in hooking a prince. Sad! In fact none of the romantic story lines are credible. It's interesting how little cutting there is in the dramatic scenes - due to the anamorphic lenses, and the heftiness of the cameras, I suppose. It's interesting to contrast with 'North West Passage', released 5 years later. In that exciting movie Geoffrey Unsworth makes great use of the CinemaScope camera.
