A Countess from Hong Kong (1967)

Natascha, a White Russian countess, stows away on a luxury liner at Hong Kong, determined to seek a new life in America. Natascha hides in the cabin of Ogden Mears, a millionaire diplomat, ... See full summary »

Director:

Charles Chaplin

Writer:

Charles Chaplin (original screenplay)

Stars:

Marlon Brando, Sophia Loren, Sydney Chaplin

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Marlon Brando	...	Ogden Mears
Sophia Loren	...	Natascha
Sydney Chaplin	...	Harvey
Tippi Hedren	...	Martha
Patrick Cargill	...	Hudson
Michael Medwin	...	John Felix
Oliver Johnston	...	Clark
John Paul	...	The Captain
Angela Scoular	...	The Society Girl
Margaret Rutherford	...	Miss Gaulswallow
Peter Bartlett	...	Steward
Bill Nagy	...	Crawford
Dilys Laye	...	Saleswoman
Angela Pringle	...	Baroness
Jenny Bridges	...	Countess

Storyline

Natascha, a White Russian countess, stows away on a luxury liner at Hong Kong, determined to seek a new life in America. Natascha hides in the cabin of Ogden Mears, a millionaire diplomat, thereby causing an endless stream of misunderstandings and complications; particularly when his wife, Martha, joins the trip at Honolulu, necessitating a 'marriage' to Ogden's valet, Hudson, a saronged-dive overboard and more subterfuge on the part of Ogdon and his associate, Harvey.

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Plot Keywords:

diplomat | countess | hong kong | russian | city name in title | 

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Taglines:

Fun at Sea! His Cabin, His PJs, Her Move!

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

15 March 1967 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Condessa de Hong Kong

Filming Locations:

Pinewood Studios, Iver Heath, Buckinghamshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$3,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Chaplin Film Productions Ltd., Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min 108 min (US)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was shortened by approximately 15 minutes since its premiere. In an interview, Charles Chaplin said he felt the shortened version (which is the version currently available on home video and DVD) almost did not feel like his film and that he preferred the longer one.

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Goofs

Toward the end of the film Ogden, Natascha, Harvey and Martha sit around a restaurant table. Ogden and Natascha sit with their backs to the camera and very far from each other so they won't obscure Harvey and Martha at the other side of the table. When they get up to dance, the camera cuts to a close up of Ogden and Natascha which are suddenly almost touching shoulders.

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Connections

Referenced in My Best Friend's Birthday (1987)

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Soundtracks

" (Love,) This Is My Song"
Written by Charles Chaplin (as Charlie Chaplin)
Performed by Petula Clark

User Reviews

Chaplin and Brando's blemish - Sophia's triumph

When it was announced that Chaplin was to direct a new film, naturally expectations were sky high. The casting of Brando and Loren further boosted these expectations. To call the final result disappointing is to be kind.

While "A Countess from Hong Kong" does have an antiquated charm about it, it remains an unsightly blemish on Chaplin's career as well as Brando's. Having been away from making movies for a number of years, the ageing Chaplin had lost touch with the media. There's precious little in this film that remotely recalls his genius. It's only the old fashioned and overdone musical score that recall the Chaplin of times gone by.

Those who remark on Brando being miscast in the role insinuate that he was incapable of playing light comedy which simply is not the case. ("Bedtime Story" being a case in point). He simply turns in a very poor performance. He seems remote from his character and from the whole project as a whole.

The real surprise is Sophia Loren. Despite the mediocre material and a wooden acting partner, she is on top form proving to be a terrific comedienne as well as touching in the tender moments. Combine that with her stunning looks and you have the only reason to possibly want to give this one another look.