I went to an “Italian afternoon” yesterday, expecting broken phrases and sips of Chianti. We had the latter, but no Italian conversation, just a famous film from the 50’s — “Three Coins in the Fountain”. It’s unbelievably bad. I think I was vaguely expecting “Roman Holiday”. It must be contemporaneous, but RH may be in black and white. Does that matter, when you’ve got Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck and an intelligent script?
“Three Coins” was vaguely interesting as a sociological document. Offices with no trace of electronics. Smart, attractive women busy with their typewriters, interested only in getting married. The empty streets of Rome populated only by extras, looking awfully extra. 1952? I just looked it up — 1954. “Roman Holiday” is 1953. Now I’ll have to contrive to see it again. Lots of things aren’t as good as one remembers, although few are as bad as “Three Coins in the Fountain”.
Otherwise there is little to report. Helen came for a last visit before her 10 days in Greece. Knitting moved forward. It’s slow work, especially in the rounds with lots of crosses. I’ve now reached round 28 and am advancing towards a passage which may produce more apparent progress tomorrow.
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The only thing I recall about Three Coins In A Fountain is the beginning of the theme music, which was on the radio a lot. Even the films that I recall fondly from that era have to be viewed through mental filters. Every character smoked and drank, because of product placement money paid to the studios, even when the actors didn't smoke or drink.
ReplyDeleteI think Roman Holiday was better, but on the whole I preferred the overt comedies, though even those require some filtration. Amazing how much things can and do change! And how much social comment did get sneaked in by the writers - if you're looking for it.
Good for you, plugging away at the knitting.
I loved Roman Holiday as well, and didn’t care about the plot of Three Coins, just that it had glorious views of Rome and a lovely theme song. Too young for those two until they started showing them on TV. You would hope at least, Jean, that they would have served a good Chianti. Maybe you could request a film? Chloe
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