Saturday, April 06, 2019

Movie review - "Escapade in Florence" (1962) ***

Annette Funicello is probably best known for her movies with Frankie Avalon but she had a successful collaboration with Tommy Kirk at Disney - The Shaggy Dog, the Merlin Jones films, this.

This was a two parter for television but shot in colour. Funicello and Kirk play Americans abroad in Florence who run into each other (literally, both on mopeds) and get involved with art thieves.

It's completely unpretentious, wholesome, all-American fun. The two leads are excellently cast and very likeable - not obnoxious, but bright and keen to help, the perfect Peace Corps youngsters. There is a solid support cast of character actors including some handsome Italian lout who bats eyes at Annette. She smiles coyly at him and Kirk but there's no kissing.

The Italian locations are pleasing. Maybe three stars is too much but this felt totally accomplished and realised.

No comments: