Three Coins in the Fountain (1954)

Three American women working in Rome, Italy, share a spacious apartment and the desire to find love and marriage, each experiencing a few bumps in their journeys to romance.

Director:

Jean Negulesco

Writers:

John Patrick (screen play), John H. Secondari (from a novel by)

Stars:

Clifton Webb, Dorothy McGuire, Jean Peters

Won 2 Oscars. Another 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Clifton Webb	...	John Frederick Shadwell
Dorothy McGuire	...	Miss Frances
Jean Peters	...	Anita Hutchins
Louis Jourdan	...	Prince Dino di Cessi
Maggie McNamara	...	Maria Williams
Rossano Brazzi	...	Giorgio Bianchi
Howard St. John	...	Mr. Burgoyne
Kathryn Givney	...	Mrs. Burgoyne
Cathleen Nesbitt	...	Principessa

Storyline

Three American women, rooming together while working abroad in Rome, Italy, hope for romance and marriage. Frances, oldest of the three, has been fifteen years a secretary to novelist John Frederick Shadwell, a man whom she loves but whose reclusive nature prompts most people to believe him long since dead. Anita, one week away from returning to America (under the claim of getting married), finally bucks company rules (and gets caught) by finally accepting an invitation from an Italian co-worker to visit his family's farm for his sister's wedding. Newly arrived Maria soon sets her generally innocent eyes on Dino di Cessi, an actual prince with a reputation for womanizing, and makes a play for him by making herself his perfect match.

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Plot Keywords:

fountain | italy | secretary | prince | love | 

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Taglines:

You've Never Lived Until You've Loved in Rome!

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

G

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jean Peters met her future husband Stuart Cramer III at a luggage mix-up at Rome Airport when she arrived to make the film. (The marriage only lasted a year and Peters returned to her on-off boyfriend Howard Hughes whom she married afterwards.)

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Goofs

At the beginning of the final scene at the Trevi fountain, the fountain is dry and being cleaned. Whilst the actors are there, the fountain begins flowing again; when the actors leave, the fountain is completely full -- not a possibility given the size of the fountain and the period of time over which the scene occurs.

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Quotes

John Frederick Shadwell: I shall like a bottle of scotch, some ice, and a side of soda.
Waiter: Sorry, sir. No bottles.
John Frederick Shadwell: Why not?
Waiter: Drinks, yes. But, no bottles.
John Frederick Shadwell: Very well, my friend. Bring me six double scotches and line them up before me.

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Saga of the Viking Women and Their Voyage to the Waters of the Great Sea Serpent (1991)

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Soundtracks

O ciucciariello
(1951) (uncredited)
Music by Nino Oliviero
Lyrics by Roberto Murolo

User Reviews

Rome, the eternal city of love

By the Fifties, the movie-going public was no longer satisfied with studio versions of far away places. They wanted to see the real thing and Hollywood had to give it to them. The year before Three Coins In a Fountain came out, Paramount had done another Rome based film in Roman Holiday. Though it had that winning romantic team of Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, Paramount played it on the cheap and wouldn't splurge for color.

Not to be outdone by rivals, Darryl F. Zanuck went whole hog on terrific color cinematography and three romances. Dorothy McGuire, Jean Peters, and Maggie McNamara are three Americans sharing an apartment in Rome. Peters and McNamara work for a U.S. government agency and McGuire is secretary to expatriate novelist Clifton Webb.

The fountain of course is Rome's famous Fountain of Trevi where tourists are lured into throwing their pennies with the promise of good fortune and a return to the eternal city. Frank Sinatra sings the title song over the opening credits and the Four Aces also had a mega-hit out of that tune. I remember as a lad in the Fifties, hearing that constantly on the radio. It was a BIG factor in the success of this film and won an Oscar for composer Jule Styne and lyricist Sammy Cahn.

McNamara and Peters fall for Prince Louis Jourdan and aspiring lawyer and co-worker Rossano Brazzi respectively. They play the continental lovers effortlessly.

20th Century Fox during the 50s toned down Clifton Webb's acerbity in order to make him leading man material. They never quite succeeded, but Dorothy McGuire conveys that she has a deep and abiding affection for Webb.

The usual romantic complications occur, but it all works out in the end as it always does in these films.

But the star is Rome and even seeing it 50 years ago, you'll still want to a pack a bag and see the place after watching this film.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

May 1954 (USA)

Also Known As:

Three Coins in the Fountain

Filming Locations:

Villa Lante, Passeggiata del Gianicolo, 10, 00165 Roma, Italia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

4-Track Stereo (Western Electric Recording) (magnetic prints)

Color:

Color (DeLuxe)

Aspect Ratio:

2.55 : 1