Casanova's Big Night (1954)

A meek tailor thinks his wooing will be helped if he assumes the identity of the famous Casanova...who's deeply in debt.

Director:

Norman Z. McLeod

Writers:

Hal Kanter (written for the screen by), Edmund L. Hartmann (written for the screen by) (as Edmund Hartmann)

Stars:

Bob Hope, Joan Fontaine, Audrey Dalton

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bob Hope	...	Pippo Popolino
Joan Fontaine	...	Francesca Bruni
Audrey Dalton	...	Donna Elena Di Gambetta
Basil Rathbone	...	Lucio / Narrator
Hugh Marlowe	...	Stefano Di Gambetta
Arnold Moss	...	The Doge
John Carradine	...	Minister Foressi
John Hoyt	...	Maggiorin
Hope Emerson	...	Duchess of Castelbello
Robert Hutton	...	Raphael, Duc of Castelbello
Lon Chaney Jr.	...	Emo the Murderer (as Lon Chaney)
Raymond Burr	...	Minister Bragadin
Frieda Inescort	...	Signora Di Gambetta
Primo Carnera	...	Corfa
Frank Puglia	...	Carabaccio

Storyline

Italy, 1757. Lowly tailor Pippo Popolino disguises himself as the great Casanova in order to romance attractive widow Francesca. He little suspects what he's getting into: locked into the incongruous role by the desperation of the real Casanova's creditors, Pippo must journey to Venice on a delicate mission far beyond his capabilities.

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Plot Keywords:

casanova character | tailor | italy | reference to the novel of mice and men | of mice and men spoof | 

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Taglines:

The hilarious story of Casanova - history's greatest wolf !

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Genres:

Adventure | Comedy

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 April 1954 (UK)

Also Known As:

Mr. Casanova

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$3,500,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

86 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Second of three movies Lon Chaney Jr and Vincent Price appeared in together. The first was Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948) and last The Haunted Palace (1963)

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Goofs

Pippo is thrown off the balcony by The Real Casanova, and when he bounces on the cemented flagstones in the street, one of the flagstones bounces with him.

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Quotes

Pippo Popolino: Don't be frightened, Francesca. I'm scared enough for all of us.

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Connections

Referenced in Casanova (2005)

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Soundtracks

The Gondolier's Serenade
(uncredited)
Written by Joseph J. Lilley
Lyrics by Mack David and Bebe Black
(Used instrumentally)

User Reviews

All-Star Comedy

A good all-star cast in a very cute comedy film about, who else, the great lover Casanova! Bob Hope was as cute as can be as Pippo Popolino (aka Casanova's double). Casanova is actually played by the late great Vincent Price who was uncredited. Casanova ended up spending to much of his money and couldn't pay what he owed, so talked Pippo into taking over as himself which leads into some comical moments.

Casting is superb! Bob Hope, Raymond Burr, Vincent Price, Basil Rathbone, John Carradine & Lon Chaney are the real reasons to watch this film. Story is fun, nothing heavy here - just silly comedy. The film is eye-candy in sets and costuming with rich technicolor bringing this out! 7.5/10