JLRMovieReviews An Italian young lady with time on her hands befriends an American GI while he is serving his country in Italy, and they spend much time together. Soon after, the same Italian young lady with more time on her hands befriends another American GI while he is serving his country, and they spend much time together. Soon after that, the same Italian young lady with even more time on her hands befriends an American GI while he is serving his country, and they spend much time together. But after they are sent home, she discovers she's in a family way. What to do? She writes each one and they each in turn support her and her young daughter, none of them knowing of each other - that is, until now, present day, when they all appear at one time practically at her doorstep. But to save face and explain the baby to her small Italian village, she tells a fib that while she was away (to have her baby) she met and was widowed by an American GI. She makes up the name of Campbell and chaos ensues once the fathers show up. The young lady is Gina Lollabrigida, and what a predicament this is! While this and "Mamma Mia!" have similarities, this film is in fact much better. Take the music out of "Mamma Mia!" and you may have good actors. But "Mrs. Campbell" is a whole lot funnier and has more depth to it. Phil Silvers, one potential father, provides much of the laughs with his zesty love of life and buoyant energy, and his wife, portrayed by Shelley Winters, is simply wonderful as his loud uncouth wife. Telly Savalas, another potential father, provides the real heart and depth of the film, something he's not usually on call to do in his action films. His wife is portrayed by Lee Grant, who is supposedly very superficial. But, by the end of the film, we have grown very fond of both of them and we feel like we understand them. Peter Lawford is another potential father, but while he's an adequate actor, he and his wife aren't really given that much to do in the film to really distinguish them. With other larger-than-life actors (or hams) in the film, such as Silvers, Winters, and Savalas (Who loves ya, baby?), Peter and wife only seem mildly amusing or interesting. And, given the fact that Gina's not ugly, she has her own boy-toy. All this put together in one box creates pandemonium and is quite simply is one of the most completely satisfying 1960s comedies you're ever likely to see. If you've never seen this or even heard of it, that needs to be rectified right now. Hilarity's a bound when you meet Mrs. Campbell. Buona Sera!

Maciste_Brother A fun comedy with all star international cast. Even if it stars three big Hollywood actors, the film is hijacked by scene stealing performances from the 3 main actresses: Gina Lollobrigida, Shelley Winters and Lee Grant. Grant plays a smart-ass who's mouth would make a trucker blush. She plays her role as if she was afraid she would be eclipsed by either Gina or Shelley. It didn't happen. She clearly stands out in her scenes.Then there's the incorporable Shelley Winters, who, in her own style and fashion, gives gravitas to a role that could have easily been bland and forgettable and instead is filled with warmth and genuine comedic understanding.But the best performance in this comedy belongs to sexy Gina. Gina was best in comedies and here she excels with unusual aplomb. The role was probably written with her in mind but Gina took it and made it her own. I can't imagine anyone else as Mrs Campbell. It's a role that could have been played in a trashy way but Gina is such a pro that she makes the story of a young girl who slept with 3 soldiers in a span of 10 days sound like clean cut fun. It's definitely one of Gina's best role in her entire career.The male cast is also good but their roles are somewhat underwritten and do the best with what they have. Surprisingly, Phil Silvers AND Telly Savalas, who both usually annoy me in other films, are actually pretty good here. Lawford is the one that registers the least. Vittorio, played by hunky Philippe Leroy, who's Mrs Campbell's current lover, is used as window dressing. The 3 bright performances from the actresses elevate it to an above average comedy.

rre1949 I have loved this movie for years! The quandary of Mrs. Campbell not knowing who her child's father really was. And having to bring them all to town when her daughter wants to get married...funny but not so funny. The cast was great with Gina, Phil and Peter Lawford! Yummy! When Broadway made this movie into the musical, Mama Mia, I was so excited and proud to get copy of the original cast CD. ABBA was the perfect group to use to make this even more memorable. And NOW they are making Mama Mia into a new movie. What could be better!!!! Great story, great songs! I'm hooked twice on this... I will have to see the new movie and get it on DVD when it comes out. Imagine Meryl Streep doing the Gina part? And singing too, I can't wait!

ptb-8 I just saw a trailer for a new 2008 film called MUMMA MIA starring Meryl Streep in the Gina Lollobrigida role! Another remake! Well this original from 1968 is a very funny film, and I guess, an extension of the 'caper comedy' style so popular in the mid-60s. I haven't seen the famous multi paneled trailer (sounds very Mad Mad Mad World) but we are in the cine-world of other adult level all star 'wacky marital mix-ups' with phrase titles like DIVORCE American STYLE, WHAT A WAY TO GO, NOT WITH MY WIFE YOU DON'T, BOY DID I GET A WRONG NUMBER etc, each the American idea of farce: yelling and door slamming. However, unlike some of those mentioned above MRS CAMPBELL is genuinely hilarious. In fact today would still make a good play, if it wasn't one already. I believe however it was an original screenplay by Melvin Frank who had already excelled with many 40s and 50s comedies and in the early 60s with LI'L ABNER and later with A TOUCH OF CLASS in '73. I clearly remember sitting in a large suburban cinema with a very entertained crowd roaring with laughter and marveling at how gorgeous Lollobrigida was then. Lee Grant as always is superb as someone's wife and moaning Shelley Winters is a great foil even for comedy against Phl Silvers and Telly Savalas. Even the horrible presence of bland and pointless Peter Lawford cannot spoil the clever comedy storyline of this uproarious well written heartfelt comedy. The charming and catchy theme song still plays in my head. Forgotten by 1970 and much unappreciated today, MRS CAMPBELL is by far the best of late 60s all star marriage farces and deserves a big new century DVD release. It makes you realize how these 60s films really knew how to entertain. It also makes one realize how far Holllywood has strayed from what worked. No wonder adults don't bother with going to the cinema much in 2005. However, even if this film was remade today with 2005 swearing and punching it would still be funny, such is the solid script and good story. Try and find this film and settle in for a great experience.