It Started in Naples
by Melville Shavelson
Our Price: $32.90
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $24.94 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD details
Actor: Clark Gable, Marietto, Paolo Carlini, Sophia Loren, Vittorio De SicaDirector: Melville Shavelson
Brand: GABLE,CLARK
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; Italian (Original Language); English (Subtitled)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.66:1
Running Time: 100 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-07-12
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Paramount
DVD Reviews of It Started in Naples
DVD Review: Ah Naples!
Summary: 5 Stars
I am of Italian heritage. My mom was born in Naples and I have been to Naples and Capri. This movie really gives you the flavor of Naples and its beautiful scenery and the true feel of Italians and their passion and expression. Sophia Loren is absolutely gorgeous and has tremendous presence on the screen and the little boy is so funny when he talks English with his cute Italian accent. I loved the dialogue and real Italian colloquialisms used between him and Sophia. Anyone would enjoy this movie and if you are Italian or know Italians you will really appreciate this movie. It is utterly delightful!! I recommend it very highly!DVD Review: old movies that are hard to find
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been looking for several old movies and finally found all of them on amazon .com. it was a very easy process and got them in a timely manor. will continue to buy from amazon in the future. I have also bought several baby items over the past 12 months. Very satisfied on everything.DVD Review: Excellent
Summary: 5 Stars
Me gusta Clark Gable, sus movimientos y las caras y miradas que haqce. Sofia LOREN tambien era buena muy Italiana, pero bien. los dos hacen un papel de comedia y romance excellente. gracias por la oportunidad que me dais para expresarme.
T.P.H.
DVD Review: Routine romantic comedy with beautiful scenery
Summary: 3 Stars
An American lawyer (Clark Gable) comes to Naples to settle the affairs of his deceased brother, only to learn he has an eight year old nephew being raised by an aunt (Sophia Loren), a local cabaret singer. Predictably, aunt and uncle disagree on how the child should be raised, and, just as predictably, fall in love.
The film tries to portray the Neopolitans as simple fun-loving people, contrasted with the serious, stuffy American lawyer, but it does not work for me. Clark Gable was 59 when the film was released; he moves stiffly and his face seems pudgy at times, while Sophia Loren was only 26 (and quite healthy). Therein lies the problem: the story is not a May-December romance, and the aging Gable is not convincing as a romantic partner for the young and lovely Sophia.
The real attractions are the location photography of Naples and Capri, and the wonderful Sophia Loren herself. Filmed in VistaVision, the scenery is spectacular on a large screen TV -- particularly the eerily-beautiful shots of Capri's Blue Grotto. Sophia Loren effortlessly portrays: a parade queen, slovenly housekeeper, caring aunt, cabaret singer, and a woman in love -- amply demonstrating why she was a super star.
This is not a great movie, but if you enjoy romantic comedies it is a pleasant way to spend an evening.
DVD Review: A must see for Sophia Loren fans
Summary: 3 Stars
"It Happened in Naples" isn't great, but it's a solid product from 1960 Hollywood. It has star power, a catchy tune ("Tu Vuo Fa L'Americano") that is still being covered by new artists today, a romantic Italian setting, lots of gorgeous Technicolor, and a plot that won't strain anyone's intellect. It's certainly watchable, but it never rises to the level of magic.
Mike Hamilton (Clark Gable) is making his second trip to Naples. The first time was with the Fifth Army in 1943. Seventeen years later he has returned to settle the estate of his ne'er-do-well brother, Joe. Since Joe was perpetually low on funds, Mike anticipates a quick trip - a brief meeting with the lawyer and then back to Philadelphia. Mike is a no nonsense kind of guy.
It comes as a complete shock to Mike when the lawyer, Mario Vitale (Vittorio De Sica), informs him that his brother died in a boating accident along with his common law wife. They left behind their eight year old son, Nando (Marietto), who has been living with his maternal aunt, Lucia Curcio (Sophia Loren), on the island of Capri.
Rather than taking the child away from his home and the aunt he knows and loves, Mike is content to leave Nando with Lucia. He gives her money and promises that he will be sending monthly payments to help with the child's support. Everyone is happy until Uncle Mike becomes a victim of Italian timetables and misses his boat back to the mainland.
Unable to sleep, Mike wanders into the city center for a cup of coffee at 1am. To his amazement, there is little Nando passing out fliers to tourists. Fliers promoting his aunt's scantily clad nightclub act. Mike sends Nando home and goes to confront Lucia about their nephew's upbringing. Fireworks, literal and figurative, abound in the ensuing battle for custody.
Marietto is adorable as the urchin who smokes, drinks wine, hangs out in nightclubs most of the night, whistles at passing young women, and refers to himself as "one tough cookie."
Clark Gable's character displays neither his trademark charm nor humor, instead he comes across as brusque and cold for most of the film. He runs hot and cold on Sophia, and seems to have a detached interest in making sure his orphaned nephew has a proper home and education. Mike Hamilton is a difficult character to like.
Sophia Loren was an absolutely gorgeous 25 year old when this was filmed. She's equally at home cooking up huge pots of pasta and as the sexy nightclub singer with a warm heart and a fiery temper. Her musical numbers scorch the screen.
Casting the young and beautiful Sophia Loren as Gable's love interest only serves to make the 58 year-old actor look old and tired in their shared scenes. Lack of chemistry between the stars is a lead weight in this movie. The love story never really works.
The DVD video quality is quite good. The print looks restored with bright, vivid color. The soundtrack is sharp and clear. There are no bonus or special features on the disc - only scene selection and optional English subtitles.
3 stars. A recommended purchase for Sophia's fans; everyone else should rent it.
Description of It Started in Naples
IT STARTED IN NAPLES tells the story of an American lawyer who travels to Naples to settle the estate of his recently deceased expatriate brother. When he arrives, he discovers that his sister-in-law was also killed in the accident, leaving their son Marrietto in the guardianship of an aunt he hardly knows. The mutual suspicion of the two towards one another eventually turns to attraction.A minor entry in the fabled careers of Clark Gable and Sophia Loren, It Started in Naples is slight, but enjoyable fluff. As the title indicates, the story begins in Naples, although the action takes place on the Isle of Capri. Michael (Gable in his penultimate performance) is a lawyer recently arrived from Philadelphia to put his late brother's affairs in order. The result of one of those "affairs" is a street urchin named Nando (Marietto), whose mother is also deceased. Her nightclub singer sister, Julia (Loren), is his lax, if loving caretaker. Straight-laced Michael, who is engaged, believes Nando would be better off in the States. So he takes the matter to court, where he is represented by the dapper Mario (Vittorio De Sica, who directed Loren to an Oscar in Two Women). The conclusion to this harmless bit of escapism is almost as charming as it is inevitable. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
General DVDs
DVD Video
- Action & Adventure
- African American Cinema
- Animation
- Anime & Manga
- Art House & International
- Classics
- Comedy
- Cult Movies
- Documentary
- Drama
- Educational
- Fitness & Yoga
- Gay & Lesbian
- Horror
- Kids & Family
- Military & War
- Music Video & Concerts
- Musicals & Performing Arts
- Mystery & Suspense
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Special Interests
- Sports
- Television
- Westerns
Bestsellers in General DVDs
The King and I (50th Anniversary Edition)KERR,DEBORAH; Release date: 2006-11-07; DVD
Best price: $15.51
Price in other shops:
![The General (1926) (Silent) [Blu-ray] Image](/images/The-General-1926-Silent-Blu-ray-B002NTDX6O-X.jpg)
The General (1926) (Silent) [Blu-ray]Release date: 2009-11-10; DVD
Best price: $20.99
Price in other shops:
The Ten Commandments (50th Anniversary Collection)Paramount; Release date: 2006-03-21; DVD
Best price: $13.97
Price in other shops:
The Complete Thin Man Collection (The Thin Man / After the Thin Man / Another Thin Man / Shadow of the Thin Man / The Thin Man Goes Home / Song of the Thin Man / Alias Nick and Nora)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2005-08-02; DVD
Best price: $28.99
Price in other shops:
Looney Tunes - Golden Collection, Volume TwoWarner Brothers; Release date: 2004-11-02; DVD
Best price: $8.38
Price in other shops:
The Bishop's WifeTCFHE/MGM; Release date: 2001-03-06; DVD
Best price: $5.78
Price in other shops:
ScroogePARAMOUNT HOME VIDEO; Release date: 2003-09-23; DVD
Best price: $7.49
Price in other shops:
The Marx Brothers Collection (A Night at The Opera/ A Day at The Races/ A Night in Casablanca/ Room Service/ At the Circus/ Go West/ The Big Store)Warner Brothers; Release date: 2004-05-04; DVD
Best price: $14.99
Price in other shops:
The Sound of Music (Two-Disc 40th Anniversary Special Edition)TCFHE; Release date: 2005-11-15; DVD
Best price: $14.17
Price in other shops:
It's a Wonderful Life (60th Anniversary Edition)Paramount; Release date: 2006-10-31; DVD
Best price: $10.91
Price in other shops:
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
Band of AngelsWarner Brothers; Release date: 2007-01-30; DVD
Best price: $5.79
Price in other shops:
Teacher's PetDAY,DORIS; Release date: 2005-04-19; DVD
Best price: $4.69
Price in other shops:
Roman Holiday (Special Collector's Edition)PARAMOUNT HOME VIDEO; Release date: 2002-11-26; DVD
Best price: $4.74
Price in other shops:
Countess From Hong KongUniversal Studios; Release date: 2003-02-04; DVD
Best price: $2.92
Price in other shops:
Summertime - Criterion CollectionImage Entertainment; Release date: 1998-09-09; DVD
Best price: $17.50
Price in other shops:
Too Bad She's BadRelease date: 2004-01-07; DVD
Best price: $24.98
Sophia Loren 4-Film Collection (Neapolitan Carousel / Attila / Madame Sans-Gene / Sunflower)LION'S GATE ENTERTAINMENT; Release date: 2008-06-10; DVD
Best price: $21.20
Price in other shops:
Marriage Italian StyleRelease date: 2005-11-08; DVD
Best price: $11.72
Price in other shops:
Three Coins In the FountainWEBB,CLIFTON; Release date: 2004-11-02; DVD
Best price: $7.39
Price in other shops:
HouseboatGRANT,CARY; Release date: 2002-11-05; DVD
Best price: $5.80
Price in other shops: