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.

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

Taglines:

All the pent-up yearning of her life was finally fulfilled ... amid the splendor of the world's most fabulous city!

---

Genres:

Romance | Drama

---

Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

After this movie's release, tourism in Venice increased dramatically, and one of the spots frequently pointed out during tours is the canal into which Katharine Hepburn fell.

---

Goofs

The amount of wine in Di Rossi's glass when he first sees Jane - the glass is empty, then full.

---

Quotes

Signora Fiorini: When in Italy, you should meet Italians!

---

Crazy Credits

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

---

Connections

Referenced in Hollywood Hist-o-Rama: Katharine Hepburn (1962)

---

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

One of the finest love stories I've ever seen.

Ms. Hepburn portrayed the many stages of love so convincingly that it is difficult to remember it's just a movie.

One of the most appealing aspects of this film is that both she and her co-star are in their middle years. Their ability to show the blossom of new love and all the "ubbly, bubbly" feelings/emotions that go along with it are excellent examples of great acting.

These days, Hollywood seems to believe that only teen or pre-teen love stories have any box-office appeal. For the most part, the acting is secondary to the amount of skin they reveal throughout the flick.

If you haven't seen this movie in the past 10 years, it's definitely a film to check-out again.

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

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1