Summertime (1955)

A lonely American woman unexpectedly finds romance in Venice, Italy.

Director:

David Lean

Writers:

Arthur Laurents (based on the original play "The Time of the Cuckoo"), H.E. Bates (screenplay)

Stars:

Katharine Hepburn, Rossano Brazzi, Isa Miranda

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Katharine Hepburn	...	Jane Hudson
Rossano Brazzi	...	Renato de Rossi
Isa Miranda	...	Signora Fiorini
Darren McGavin	...	Eddie Yaeger
Mari Aldon	...	Phyl Yaeger
Jane Rose	...	Mrs. McIlhenny
MacDonald Parke	...	Mr. McIlhenny
Jeremy Spenser	...	Vito de Rossi
Gaetano Autiero	...	Mauro
Virginia Simeon	...	Giovanna

Storyline

The American secretary Jane Hudson (Katharine Hepburn) travels from Ohio to Venice. Jane is a middle-age single and lonely woman that has saved money for her dream trip. On the arrival, she immediately befriends the owner of the boarding house Signora Fiorini (Isa Miranda). During the night, she goes to a café and an Italian helps her to call the waiter. Jane feels sort of uncomfortable for being alone and on the next day, she sees a red glass goblet in the window of an antique store. The owner, Renato de Rossi (Rossano Brazzi), who is the man that helped her, explains that it is an ancient goblet from the eighteenth century and therefore expensive. Then he also explains that she should always bargain for a lower price in Venice. Jane recognizes Renato from the previous night and becomes clumsy. Soon Renato woos her, but the needy Jane is afraid to love.

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Plot Keywords:

1950s | murano glass | gondola | american abroad | american tourist | 

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Taglines:

She Came To Venice As a Tourist -And Went Home a Woman!

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Genres:

Romance | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

At one point, producer Ilya Lopert considered casting Vittorio De Sica as Renato.

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Goofs

When Jane returns to the Antique Shop (minutes before she falls into the canal), as she is crossing the bridge, the camera pans to the shop, and the red goblet appears in the window. Moments later in the scene the goblet is gone, and there is a silver candelabra in the window.

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Quotes

Mauro: So long, Cookie!

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Crazy Credits

Opening credits are shown over various paintings, where the subjects are European scenes.

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Connections

References Casablanca (1942)

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Soundtracks

Summertime In Venice
(uncredited)
English lyric by Carl Sigman
Italian Lyric by Pinchi
Music by Icini
Published by MCA Music, New York, NY

User Reviews

Needy for Love

The American secretary Jane Hudson (Katharine Hepburn) travels from Ohio to Venice. Jane is a middle-age single and lonely woman that have saved money for her dream trip. On the arrival, she immediately befriends the owner of the boarding house Signora Fiorini (Isa Miranda). During the night, she goes to a café and an Italian helps her to call the waiter. Jane feels sort of uncomfortable for being alone and on the next day, she sees a red glass goblet in the window of an antique store. The owner Renato de Rossi (Rossano Brazzi), who is the man that helped her, explains that it is an ancient goblet from the Eighteenth Century and therefore expensive; then he also explains that she should always bargain for a lower price in Venice. Jane recognizes Renato from the previous night and becomes clumsy. Soon Renato woos her but the needy Jane is afraid to love.

"Summertime" is a deceptive film directed by David Lean and with Katharine Hepburn. Her character is a tight and awkward spinster and the romance with Rossano Brazzi has no chemistry. Most of the time the viewer has a tour through Venice and a tasteless romance. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Quando o Coração Floresce" ("When the Heart Blossoms")

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

7 November 1955 (UK)

Also Known As:

David Lean's Production of Summertime

Filming Locations:

Rio dei Bareteri, Venice, Veneto, Italy

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lopert Films, London Film Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1