It Started in Naples

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It Started in Naples

Released Aug 7, 1960

1h 40m

Romance

Comedy

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5 Reviews

58%

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500+ Ratings

When American lawyer Michael Hamilton (Clark Gable) hears that his estranged younger brother and sister-in-law have died in a car accident, he flies to Naples, Italy, to settle their estate. Upon arriving, the xenophobic Hamilton meets his impish nephew, Nando (Marietto), for the first time, and decides he will bring the boy back with him to the United States. But when Nando's gorgeous aunt, Lucia Curcio (Sophia Loren), protests, a lengthy and heated custody battle ensues.

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Clyde Gilmour

Maclean's Magazine

The film tries hard to qualify for top marks in the naughty-but-nice category of comedy but a sense of strain and occasional coyness are drawbacks.

Dec 3, 2019

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

There's no chemistry between Gable, who's twice as old than love interest Sophia Loren in this lukewarm, utterly predictable culture clash comedy.

Rated: C

Apr 24, 2012

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Scott Weinberg

DVDTalk.com

It's a quaint and pretty old movie, to be sure, but it's also more than a little boring.

Rated: 2.5/5

Aug 16, 2005

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David Nusair

Reel Film Reviews

...an aimless, thoroughly predictable waste of time masquerading as a romantic comedy.

Rated: 1.5/4

Aug 3, 2005

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Christopher Null

Filmcritic.com

a fossil of a bygone age when comedies didn't require scatalogical humor, and romances didn't require any basis in logic

Rated: 3/5

Jul 8, 2005

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Maarit L

Sweet daydream. Nice and light.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/26/25

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Ryan B

Definitely worth watching. Very enjoyable. It actually doesn't start off great but really becomes a solid, enjoyable movie. They don't make em like this anymore

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/07/22

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steve d

I am still waiting for the fun to start.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

Delightful, light hearted comedy which shows of Capri at a certain time after WW2. The little boy actor, who grew up to become a ohysician, steals the picture.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

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Audience Member

You have to forgive this movie several faults in order to enjoy it. Clark Gable, at 59, is far too old for Sophia Loren, 26. The musical numbers are weak with the exception of 'Americano', and let's face it, Loren is no Ginger Rogers. The custody battle for the child - Loren's son and Gable's nephew - is absurd to begin with, and then compounded by silly back and forth melodrama in the second half of the film. The film on the surface seems to be a loving look at Italy and Italians, but Gable's character is condescending with an annoying American arrogance, and the film as a whole is a bit patronizing. And yet, despite all that, I found it somewhat enjoyable, and certainly better than expected. Shot on location in Naples and Capri, the scenery is gorgeous and many of the shots in the streets or piazzas look authentic. Gable gets off a lot of wry one-liners in a script where the dialogue is better than events. Loren may not have the greatest dance moves, but she does show both a comedic side and a touching side in her playful relationship with her son, in addition to, well, being a knockout and all. I love the scene where Loren is sprawled out face down on the bed after a long night dancing, and her son pokes her in the behind with a meat fork in front of Gable. The supporting cast is all-Italian, and the little boy (Marietto) and the lawyer (Vittorio De Sica) turn in good performances. There are moments that seem cliché, but there are also moments that seem spontaneous, and quite true to southern Italy. Far from perfect, but enjoyable.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

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Audience Member

Clark Gable is simply awful in this. He looks old and impotent.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

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Melville Shavelson

Director

Clark Gable

Michael Hamilton

Sophia Loren

Lucia Curcio

Vittorio De Sica

Mario Vitale

Marietto

Nando Hamilton

Paolo Carlini

Renzo

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Synopsis

When American lawyer Michael Hamilton (Clark Gable) hears that his estranged younger brother and sister-in-law have died in a car accident, he flies to Naples, Italy, to settle their estate. Upon arriving, the xenophobic Hamilton meets his impish nephew, Nando (Marietto), for the first time, and decides he will bring the boy back with him to the United States. But when Nando's gorgeous aunt, Lucia Curcio (Sophia Loren), protests, a lengthy and heated custody battle ensues.

Director: Melville Shavelson
Producer: Melville Shavelson, Jack Rose
Screenwriter: Melville Shavelson, Jack Rose, Suso Cecchi d'Amico
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 7, 1960, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2011
Runtime: 1h 40m

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