I agree with ptb-8. Buona Sera Mrs. Campbell was well written and a heartfelt comedy. Ortolani's charming and catchy theme song reminds me of another favorite Italian movie The Yellow Rolls Royce. But I'm glad it's unappreciated and forgotten today. Yes, MRS CAMPBELL is a good example of the marriage farces of Hollywood churned out in the 60s and those films did entertain us. But every time it comes on I cannot help realize how far Holllywood stooped to ridicule decent Eurooean women who suffered all sorts of indignity and hardship during a world war. At least Hollywood allowed Ms. Lollobrigida to explain to her boyfriend and housekeeper why she allowed 3 American men believe to be the father of her daughter. I would've enjoyed hearing the Hollywood studio execs talk her into making this film. And when the ex GIs tally up the amount of money they sent to Mrs. Campbell over the years. "You averaged 85 a month, you - a hundred and fifteen, me - a hundred a forty... which, over twenty years, compounded at six percent interest, would come to a hundred and ninety seven thousand dollars." They are amazed. "We paid more war damages than Germany!" We're asked to find humor somewhere. Other than 3 men believing to be the father of a woman's daughter Mrs. Campbell has nothing in common with Mamma Mia. In Mamma Mia, she does not swindle the men out of a hundred and ninety seven thousand dollars, or lie to their wives that her "husband" died in a heroic war battle. Altho I did enjoy the scene when Mrs. Campbell true motivation is revealed. Her scene with the Countess was beautiful showing that perpetrating a cock n' bull story was her only way to avoid a shameful unwed pregnancy.

Buona Sera, Mrs Campbell is directed by Melvin Frank, written by Melvin Frank and Denis Nordon and stars Gina Lollobrigida, Telly Savalas, Peter Lawdford, Phil Silvers, Janet Margolin and Shelley Winters.If you love Mamma Mia then this is a film for you.Both deeply funny and touching at the same time this is the story of Italian beauty Mrs Carla Campbell(Gina Lollobrigida)who is shocked to discover that her three American Army boyfriends are coming back to the town for a war reunion.One of them is the father of her teenage daughter Gia(Janet Margolin)but which one?All three have been paying child maintenance cheques for twenty years believing they are the father.There's the cute loudmouth New Yorker Walter Braddock(Telly Savalas),suave and charming Justin Young(Peter Lawford)and family man Phil Newman(Phil Silvers), who's brought his interfering wife Shirley(Shelley Winters)and his three kids along with him to the reunion.There's fine support here from a young Lee Grant as Walter's wife Fritzie, a woman desperate to have a child and Naomi Stevens is hysterical as Carla's maid and confidant Rosa.This is an hysterical romantic comedy with fine performances from the entire cast. Gina gives the standout performance as the fiery Italian mother forced back together with her former lovers years later.

As of 1/24/2007. I absolutely loved the movie, viewing it from the frame of mind of that era, versus what extreme technology, effects and scripting of the present. I can absolutely say how FUNNY and Hilarious it was to view! I had watched this movie on the T.M.C. and wasn't really knowing of Ms Gina L acting and performance, as well as her beauty! I just found myself rolling on the floor as well as witnessing the close calls of the three men she was juggling around and detouring them from her daughter. It was really cool to see the stars of the days then, and view the Italian parts and its people of that time. Though this movie may slammed by others, my own input is that: I LOVED IT! From Ms G.L. to S.Winters, T.Savales, P.Silvers, P.Lawford and the rest of the unmentioned great ones as well. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to express my own comment and view...Joaquin.

La Lollabrigida is magnificent as Carla Campbell who had a baby from a G. I. during World War II, but didn't know which of three possible American soldiers it was, so she writes each telling him the son is his. And they all faithfully send child support -- for twenty years. With Phil Silvers, Shelly Winters, Lee Grant, Telly Savalas and Lee Grant on hand, this could easily have gone way overboard into silly farce. Instead, it blends its pathos, drama, and comedy as seamlessly as it blends its gorgeous Italian landscapes and backdrops with its Hollywood sound-stages. Savalas and Grant are particularly good as the most interesting of the three couples but all are good. Janet Margolin does a good job of giving us a feel for Gina and the Italian actor that plays Gina's faithful friend is marvelous in his few scenes.Highly recommended. 9/10.