Avanti! (1972)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Billy Wilder

Writers:

I.A.L. Diamond (writer)
Samuel A. Taylor (play)

Release Date:

17 December 1972 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Plot:

A successful businessman goes to Italy to arrange for the return of his tycoon-father's body only to discover dad died with his mistress of long standing.

Plot Keywords:

Hotel | Italy | Mistress | Topless Woman | Funeral

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 6 nominations

Cast

Jack Lemmon	...	Wendell Armbruster, Jr.
Juliet Mills	...	Pamela Piggott
Clive Revill	...	Carlo Carlucci
Edward Andrews	...	J.J. Blodgett
Gianfranco Barra	...	Bruno
Franco Angrisano	...	Arnold Trotta
Pippo Franco	...	Mattarazzo
Franco Acampora	...	Armando Trotta
Giselda Castrini	...	Anna
Raffaele Mottola	...	Passport officer
Lino Coletta	...	Cipriani
Harry Ray	...	Dr. Fleischmann
Guidarino Guidi	...	Maitre D'
Giacomo Rizzo	...	Barman
Antonino Faa Di Bruno	...	Concierge (as Antonino Faa' Di Bruno)

Also Known As:

Che cosa è successo tra mio padre e tua madre? (Italy)

Runtime:

140 min

Country:

USA | Italy

Language:

English | Italian

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Singapore:NC-16 | Australia:M | Finland:S | Sweden:Btl | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Amalfi Coast, Amalfi, Salerno, Campania, Italy

Company:

Jalem Productions

Trivia:

Juliet Mills gained 25 pounds within 6 weeks to take on the role of Pamela Piggott.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: As the "US Military" helicopter takes off near the end of the movie, a look to the underside of the tail section reveals the round red, white and green Italian Air Force insignia.

Quotes:

Carlo Carlucci: While you are here, maybe you should take some mud baths.
Wendell Armbruster: No thanks, I had one on the train.
Carlo Carlucci: On the train?
Wendell Armbruster: I drank it. They call it espresso.

Movie Connections:

References Cool Hand Luke (1967)

Soundtrack:

Senza Fine

outstanding overlooked romantic comedy

There is not much to add to the favorable comments contained herein by viewers who have seen this, one of Billy Wilder's most successful, and overlooked, efforts. There are 5 things that make this film click, not necessarily in order of importance 1) the cinematography of the Isle of Ischia 2) Billy Wilder's direction 3) Wilder & Diamond's script 4) Jack Lemmon 5) Clive Revil as the hotel manager. A charming and whimsical movie which one hopes would be seen more often on one of the cable movie channels. My favorite scene: Carlucci introduces Wendell to the Trotta brothers ("That's a lotta Trottas.")