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You are traveling abroad for your job when you receive news that your spouse has died. You had been separated for a few years now, occasionally visiting your children, but not present for much of their childhood. You come back to find that your children are about to be separated, two going to live with an aunt, and the other staying with their grandparents. You put an end to this immediately and bring your children back to your small, Washington D.C. apartment to live. You struggle to raise them, and one night, after a concert, you lose your youngest boy. You’re panicking all night, trying everything you can to find the child, when suddenly, you hear a knock at the door. Completely surprised, you open it to a very attractive young person holding your son, claiming that he had run off and gone to the carnival near town. Your children take an instant liking to this new person, claiming they are reminded of your now-dead spouse. Upon reflection, you decide your children should not live in this crowded city anymore, and call your sister-in-law to ask about a living situation for the four of you. She says she is willing to let you her empty house on an empty lot, so the next morning, that’s where you plan to go. However, right before you leave, the person who brought your son home the previous night comes to the door, offering services to take care of your children help you, and help them. You agree, and the five of you head out for the countryside of Virginia. On your way to your sister-in-law’s house, you discover that it’s being hauled away on an unstable tractor. You stop the crazy person driving the tractor (right in the middle of train tracks, this was not your brightest moment) and demand to know what is going on. Before you can get a good answer though, a train whistle sounds in the distance, and at that moment, you know your new house has no hope. The driver of the tractor offers to let you and your family and newly-hired helper stay in his houseboat until you can find a better place. You agree, somewhat reluctantly, and allow the man to take you to his houseboat. You are shocked when you see it, as it is literally a house floating on the river! Unfortunately for you, this is the only opportunity you have for staying with your children, so you all end up living there. The houseboat gives you a chance to bond with your children and even their caregiver. Will living in such a wreck of a houseboat drive you mad, or will it grow on you, as your children endear themselves to you, as well as their caregiver?
Houseboat starring Cary Grant, Sophia Loren, and Martha Hyer is a 1958 romantic comedy directed by Melville Shavelson. The movie gives the audience a completely different view of Cary Grant in this family-oriented story of a single father raising his kids. The film is charming in many ways, from the father figure of Grant to the loving, inexperienced nanny played by Loren. Houseboat will warm your heart, and make you laugh, all at the same time. It was nominated for 2 Oscars in 1959 and granted an award for both Sophia Loren and Cary Grant. This film is one of the finest of its age with witty sarcastic comedy and warm, charming romance.
Cary Grant fans are able to see the actor in a new light in this film. Unlike his usual role of filthy-rich playboy, Grant plays a warm-hearted, yet inexperienced father. His performance of Tom Winters is phenomenal, as he provides that debonair class and charisma to fatherhood and single-parenting. His role of Winston was so convincing that it won him the 1959 Laurel Award for Best Male Comedy Performance. His skills in acting are definitely put on great display in the film as he sets the stage for many other storylines which follow that of Houseboat.
Sophia Loren fills the role of Italian run-away Cinzia Zaccardi with elegance and poise. She adds a certain comedic relief in her position of nanny/maid for Tom Winters. She is aware of the difficulties children face with a single father from her own experience of losing a mother and being raised by her own father. This helps her connect almost instantly with David, Elizabeth, and Robert Winters. Cinzia undergoes her own struggles as she falls in love with Tom, and is criticised by the public for her role in his household, yet she pulls it all together with her youthful charm.
Houseboat is a classic film that will go down in cinema history as one of the most lovable and charming pictures ever. There is no doubt that any Cary Grant, or even Sophia Loren fan wouldn’t fall absolutely in love with this film. No one could ever play the roles of Cinzia or Tom better than these two.
If you’ve seen this film, leave a comment below! If you have yet to watch it, I encourage you to go and watch it soon, I don’t think it will disappoint!
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