Boy on a Dolphin (1957)

Phaedra is a poor sponge diver on the lovely Greek isle of Hydra. While diving, she discovers an ancient brass and gold statue of a boy riding a dolphin, which is said to have the magical ... See full summary »

Director:

Jean Negulesco

Writers:

Ivan Moffat (screenplay), Dwight Taylor (screenplay),

Stars:

Alan Ladd, Clifton Webb, Sophia Loren

Nominated for 1 Oscar.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Alan Ladd	...	Dr. James Calder
Clifton Webb	...	Victor Parmalee
Sophia Loren	...	Phaedra
Alexis Minotis	...	Milidias Nadapoulos (as Alex Minotis)
Jorge Mistral	...	Rhif
Laurence Naismith	...	Dr. Hawkins
Piero Giagnoni	...	Niko
Gertrude Flynn	...	Miss Dill

Storyline

Phaedra is a poor sponge diver on the lovely Greek isle of Hydra. While diving, she discovers an ancient brass and gold statue of a boy riding a dolphin, which is said to have the magical power to grant wishes. Her shiftless boyfriend wants to sell it to an unscrupulous art collector, but Phaedra wants to give it to anthropologist Jim Calder, who would return it to the Greek government.

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Plot Keywords:

anthropologist | diver | statue | art collector | greece | 

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Taglines:

An adventurous love story that will live 'til the seas run dry!

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Genres:

Adventure | Drama | Romance

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Greek

Release Date:

19 April 1957 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

A Lenda da Estátua Nua

Filming Locations:

Acropolis, Athens, Greece

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

111 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Westrex Recording System) (magnetic prints) Mono (optical prints)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Sophia Loren's role was originally offered to Gina Lollobrigida, who declined.

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Quotes

Phaedra: He's important man, Mr. Calder, huh?
Victor Parmalee: In his pedestrian way. "Incorruptible Jim," I call him.
Phaedra: You know him a long time?
Victor Parmalee: Our paths have crossed and re-crossed: in Dresden, Rotterdam, Florence - wherever the Nazis looted. Raphaels, Rembrandts, even down to a dreary little china pot, which belonged to Madame Pompadour... there was always Captain Jim Calder of the U.S. Army, restoring priceless objects to their rightful owners - a typical middle-class gesture.

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Connections

Referenced in Vradya epitheorisis: Episode #1.14 (1984)

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Soundtracks

"Boy on a Dolphin"
Based on "Tinafio" (Ti Ine Afto Pou To Lene Agapi)
Music by Takis Morakis
Music Adapted by Hugo Friedhofer
Original Lyrics by Danai (uncredited)
Greek Lyrics by Ioanis Fermanoglou (as J. Fermanglou)
English Lyrics by Paul Francis Webster
Sung over credits by Julie London (uncredited) and in the film by Sophia Loren
Musical Director for Julie London: Howard A. Roberts (uncredited)

User Reviews

Gorgeous Sophia in Greek sun, surf, and intrigue.

I saw this movie in the theater when it first came out and then again, years later on t.v. I had the good fortune to tape it onto video as I don't think it can be found in any video stores. I really enjoy this movie as the story is engaging and the location shots are beautiful. Sophia Loren does a fantastic job of portraying a vibrant, headstrong, passionate woman on a mission. I've always liked Clifton Webb and thought he did a typically tight, professional turn as an arrogant, proud art dealer immersed in his own inflated sense of superiority and worldliness. Alan Ladd as Dr. Caulder of the museum in Athens is the low point for me as I never found him to be a particularly good actor. He does okay in this movie but doesn't really fill the screen with great charisma. The soundtrack and the title song are fabulous - at times lilting, haunting, and fun. I find myself humming the title theme for hours after watching the movie. How I often know whether I like a movie or not is if I want to jump into the story and "be there". I definitely would want to "be there".