Houseboat (1958)

Cary Grant and Sophia Loren look just swell together in Houseboat, and why shouldn't they? Grant was still at his best, Loren was bewitching Hollywood as an exotic new ingénue, and offscreen they had had a torrid affair a couple of years earlier, during the shooting of The Pride and the Passion. The two tanned stars are the main attraction in this romantic comedy, which installs single dad Cary and his three children on a dilapidated houseboat on the Potomac River. Sophia is the maid, except she's not really a maid but the cultured daughter of a famous musician. Yes, this is one of those situation comedies in which every problem could be cleared up if only one character told the truth about the situation. If that sort of thing drives you crazy, best skip this one. It's no classic, but those two icons are awfully appealing. --Robert Horton Amazon.com

Amazon DVD purchase - Houseboat

This DVD I ordered was a present for my mother-in-law who loves these old movies. I searched Amazon for the availability and price. Amazon had a good price for this dvd which was new and unused. The original shipment was lost. After more than a month, I called the customer service and they sent me another shipment that I received after 2 days. The condition of the dvd was as stated on the website. My mother-in-law was really happy receiving her present, even though it was late. August 29, 2008

"I hired her for my children"...."Adopt me?!"

"With that fine Italian hand that can't cook, or sew, or even do the laundry - you've managed to put a family back together again..."

I just recently purchased HOUSEBOAT (1958) and watched it for the first time and Cary Grant was never better than when he stars with Sophia Loren. They look made for each other! And the gorgeous clothing...you can definitely tell an Edith Head design! Stunning!

Cary Grant plays Tom Winters, a government agent, who is widowed and left to raise his three unruly kids on his own. During a concert one night, Robert (the youngest child) runs away and is found by the beautiful Cinzia Zaccardi (Sophia Loren), who is also running away from her over-bearing, over-protective Italian father. The children immediately fall in love with her and Tom hires her as the maid, but we all know she won't remain the maid for long. Not with a certain handsome man around...

I am sure that during the wedding scene Cary Grant was wishing he was really marrying Sophia Loren. Being that he had asked her numerous times since he fell for her during "The Pride and the Passion", their first movie together. (She was 30 years his junior. During the filming of HOUSEBOAT he was 54 and she was 24). May 23, 2008

Nostalgic Movie of the 50's -- but...

This was and still is a favorite movie of mine, and I remember going to the movies to see it as a young child with my sisters -- brings back alot of fond memories. However, in this DVD release the coloring is off...way off --the faces are too dark and with a blue tint, and the picture quality just wasn't very clear. The movie does have some very pleasant and soothing music and the sound quality is fine. I will have to look for another and hopefully better overall quality DVD, for this truly is an enjoyable and wonderful family movie. April 7, 2008

Houseboat

The movie is a classic. Starring Cary Grant & Sophia Loren in a comedy where off screen their smoldering romance had ended bitterly when Sophia accepted Carlo Ponti's marriage proposal. Enjoy the interaction between Cary and Sophia. Martha Hyer is underutilized as the former sister-in-law and would-be suitor. Harry Guardino is great. Paul Peterson (later in The Donna Reed Show) is engaging. Thoroughly a very enjoyable movie. March 23, 2008

The Movie 'Boy on a Dolphin' is Sophia Loren's Best

The Movie 'Boy on a Dolphin' is Sophia Loren's Best.

But Houseboat is almost as good. If Sophia Loren is your cup of tea, (how can't she be?) then by all means feast your eyes. She's at her luscious prime here.

God did some of his best work when he made Sophia Loren.

A wonderful movie, lots of fun, and beauty.

December 14, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...