Year of Release: 1960Country of Origin: USA
Director: Melville Shavelson
Cast: Clark Gable, Sophia Loren, Vittorio De Sica, Marietto Angeletti
Plot outline: An American lawyer trying to settle his bohemian brother's affairs in Italy falls for one of the man's in-laws (IMDb).
It Started in Naples was Clark Gable's penultimate movie and it is really his swansong as a romantic leading man. Gable began his career playing opposite stars like Greta Garbo and Norma Shearer, he would end it with Sophia Loren and Marilyn Monroe. He and Loren work wonderfully together, despite the age difference. Yes, men were - and still are for that matter - allowed to age much more slowly than women on the big screen. Loren does a sexy rendition of "Americano" wearing just a man's dress shirt and her panties. She also demonstrates a great flair for comedy. Gable is great as always. He exudes a gruff self-confidence, which is one of the sexiest assets a man can have. He also seems like he would have made a wonderful grandfather. But, still it is Marietto Angeletti as the precocious Nando Hamilton who easily steals the show. He delivers most of the pathos and laughs with his exuberant mix of world-weariness and innocence. Though the plot may be a bit rusty, It Started in Naples is an enjoyable movie for many reasons. One that I must mention is the scenery. Shot completely on location, the island of Capri is presented as a great place to visit, an exotic, decadent enclave of nonstop parties, with a racially and sexually diverse group of citizens. This provides the perfect setting for romance and culture shock. (EN)
My judgement: **1/2 out of 4 stars
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