Love with the Proper Stranger (1963)

Angie Rossini is an innocent (Italian Catholic) Macy's salesgirl, who discovers she's pregnant from a fling with Rocky, a musician. Angie finds Rocky (who doesn't remember her at first) to ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Mulligan

Writer:

Arnold Schulman

Stars:

Natalie Wood, Steve McQueen, Edie Adams

Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Natalie Wood	...	Angie Rossini
Steve McQueen	...	Rocky Papasano
Edie Adams	...	Barbie
Herschel Bernardi	...	Dominick Rossini
Anne Hegira	...	Beetie
Harvey Lembeck	...	Julio Rossini
Mario Badolati	...	Elio Papasano
Penny Santon	...	Mama Rossini
Elena Karam	...	The Woman
Virginia Vincent	...	Anna
Nina Varela	...	Mrs. Columbo
E. Nick Alexander	...	Guido Rossini
Marilyn Chris	...	Gina
Augusta Ciolli	...	Mrs. Papasano
Wolfe Barzell	...	The Priest

Storyline

Angie Rossini is an innocent (Italian Catholic) Macy's salesgirl, who discovers she's pregnant from a fling with Rocky, a musician. Angie finds Rocky (who doesn't remember her at first) to tell him she's pregnant and needs a doctor for an abortion. He finds her a doctor and they work together to raise the money. Can these two strangers find love with one another before it's too late?

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Plot Keywords:

abortion | musician | italian | italian american | apartment | 

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Taglines:

she needed him...he needed her...if they only realize it!

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Unrated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 December 1963 (USA)

Also Known As:

Agapisa enan xeno

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Pakula-Mulligan, Boardwalk Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Tom Bosley's movie debut.

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Goofs

When Rocky is lying down on Barbie's bed after she has left to sit at the kitchen table, only the second and third buttons on Rocky's shirt are done up, his shirt not tucked into his pants. In the next shot when he is about to get up, the second, third and fourth buttons on the shirt are done up, the shirt still not tucked into his pants. In the next shot as Rocky is now off the bed, all but the top button on his shirt are done up, the front of his shirt now tucked into his pants.

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Quotes

Angie Rossini: You know something, if you didn't try so hard to fight against it you could be a pretty decent kind of person.

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Connections

References The Prisoner of Zenda (1937)

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Soundtracks

"Love with the proper stranger"
by Johnny Mercer and Elmer Bernstein
Sings: Jack Jones

User Reviews

Charming and brilliant

Watching this film today, it's easy to forget how daring it was for its day (1963) -focusing on an illegal abortion.

It's also an fascinating mix of conventional romantic comedy mixed with real grit and passion - and the fact it starts off as unconventional as possible; girl meets boy, girl gets pregnant, girl and boy try to organise an abortion

• and THEN girl and boy fall in love.

Natalie Wood was often miscast throughout her career - her dark beauty was used to try and pull of Nat as Hispanic, Nat as half-black, Nat as Mexican. In this film she's cast as Italian, and pulls it off perfectly. This could possibly be her greatest performance (alongside Splendor in the Grass and The Cracker Factory). She received an Academy Award nomination for this film. She gives such a natural performance (usually she's more self-conscious on film) - she is such a joy to watch and absolutely stunning.

Steve McQueen is at his most charming - usually he is playing the hero of an action film, so its great to see him display tenderness. Wood and McQueen have such great chemistry, its a shame this was their only film together.

Added to the mega-watt performances is the beautiful black and white cinematography and the NYC location shooting. A great film. Completely underrated.