Avanti! (1972)

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.

Director:

Billy Wilder

Writers:

Samuel A. Taylor (play) (as Samuel Taylor), Billy Wilder (screenplay)

Stars:

Jack Lemmon, Juliet Mills, Clive Revill

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jack Lemmon	...	Wendell Armbruster, Jr.
Juliet Mills	...	Pamela Piggott
Clive Revill	...	Carlo Carlucci
Edward Andrews	...	J.J. Blodgett
Gianfranco Barra	...	Bruno
Franco Angrisano	...	Arnoldo 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 Faà di Bruno	...	Concierge (as Antonino Faa' Di Bruno)

Storyline

Baltimore industrialist Wendell Armbruster crosses paths with London shop girl Pamela Piggott when they come to Ischia to pick up the bodies of her mother and his father, who have been killed in an automobile accident after a ten-year summertime affair. Straitlaced Wendell tries to avoid a scandal while free-spirited Pamela is impressed by the romantic setting. After some confusion with the bodies and a blackmail attempt by unscrupulous locals, Wendell and Pamela extend their parent's affair into the next generation.

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Plot Keywords:

female rear nudity | female frontal nudity | female nudity | woman with a mustache | italy | 

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Taglines:

When someone knocks on your door and says permesso?...be careful before you say Avanti!

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA Italy

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

17 December 1972 (USA)

Also Known As:

Avanti, Avanti!

Filming Locations:

Faro di Carena, Capri Island, Italy

Box Office

Budget:

$2,750,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$3,300,000, 31 December 1973

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,500,000, 31 January 1974

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Mirisch Corporation, Phalanx Productions, Jalem Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

144 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Included among the American Film Institute's 2000 list of the 500 movies nominated for the Top 100 Funniest American Movies.

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Goofs

At the end of the movie, after the helicopter takes off, Pamela and Mr. Carlucci are shown walking and their shadows are on their right side and barely as long as they are tall, as if the sun is nearly overhead. The next shot is from the helicopter looking down at them and their shadows are behind them and at least 20 feet long, as if the sun is low in the horizon.

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Quotes

Wendell Armbruster: [as Pamela strips at the seaside] Miss Piggott! Please keep in mind that it's Sunday, and this is a Catholic country!

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Connections

Featured in Avanti! Interview with Juliet Mills (2018)

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Soundtracks

Palcoscenico
Written by E Bonagura, A. Giannini and Sergio Bruni (as S. Bruni)

User Reviews

Lovely story, nice to see !

At the 70s, people took much more care of the characters than today !! It is not a comedy where you can laugh aloud. But you have a smile on your face all the time you watch this movie ! In a way, this movie makes you happy !! Especially Jack Lemmon is a great actor !!