Summertime (1955) and the romance of 1950s Venice

[@JohnInTheShelter]

SUMMERTIME is remarkable for how it captures the FEEL the story is aiming for. It's like a two-hour summer vacation.

[@ddivar8149]

I love the song ..and Brazzi

[@rosemaryfranzese317]

I love this film. Katherine Hepburn paints a wonderful picture of middle aged loneliness. Rossano Brazzi is perfect as the Man she falls in love with. This is one of my all time favourite films. I also love Venice

[@CinemaCities1978]

Yes! She breaks your heart in this one. It's a beautiful film set in a beautiful city!

[@tiggywinkle20]

This above hasn’t happened to me but I can identify with the loneliness. Adore Katherine and Rossano in this lovely film. I have seen it several times🙏❤️

[@SMHH....]

The scene where Rinaldo first sees Jane in the piazza just grabs me every time. I SO COMPLETELY fell in love with Rossano the first time I saw the film......

[@patriciaporcaro8753]

I so agree,his appraisal of her , to me is so romantic I wish a man would look at me like that! LOL

[@barrylangford3276]

Hepburn was, magnificent in this film - for me it is her finest performance. I have recommended it to many people who had never heard of it... strange, considering Lean and Hepburn are both giants of cinema.

[@CinemaCities1978]

I’ve noticed that this film is really under the radar. But, whenever I recommend it people love it!

[@jamesfox2579]

One of my all-time favorite movies!❤️

[@CinemaCities1978]

Mine too! Venice is so beautiful in this movie.

[@aagold76]

Hepburn was nominated for an Oscar for this film- she lost to Anna Mangnani in the 'Rose Tattoo'. When she fell into the canal, she got an eye infection that lasted the rest of her life- giving her that teary look she had in so many films after this. As soon as she got out of the canal- she scrubbed herself head to toe, brushed her teeth- but forgot to wash her eyes. After this, while in England, she saw a young stage actor performing Shakespeare- when David Lean- the director of 'Summertime' , was casting Laurence of Arabia, Kate suggested he use the young actor she saw- Peter O'Toole'- well, the rest was history. Hepburn and O'Toole were a masterpiece together in 'The Lion In Winter'. Summertime is a beautiful film- everything came together perfectly.

[@aagold76]

oh- fyi, Katharine spells her name with an A- not an E... it ALWAYS ticked her off when people misspelled her name ;)

[@arturocostantino623]

Anna Magnani way over the top in the Rose Tattoo.

[@judywhiting4684]

I enjoy that film...VENICE was so beautiful..when they first enter the canal....STUNNING!!.....not a big Hepburn fan....but really enjoy her in this.....SUMMERTIME....is a lovely love story with Venice as a character in THE film

[@CinemaCities1978]

Yes! Director David Lean really captures the romance of Venice. I think the technicolor makes the city even more dream like and beautiful. Venice is truly the star of the film. Thanks so much for watching Judy!

[@kmjberto]

Great movie. My Grandfather's brother is Lydia Bertolini's dad who Rossano was married to.

[@ejm6460]

Probably my favorite Hepburn performance and a movie

[@Scifogon]

Just finished watching on arte. It was very inspiring. And the colors...splendida.

[@CinemaCities1978]

it's such a visually stunning film.

[@alittleworldofmyown67]

my favourite film ever!

[@diego-search]

I actually saw this film for the first time on a plane going to Italy! We LOVED Venice but the film reminded us to be wary of the fancy glass vendors.

[@CinemaCities1978]

LOL. Yes, you might not get authentic venetian glass but you may be swept off your feet! 😂

[@clivecarser7356]

There's nothing like travelling to and from Venice by train !!! Had to do it after seeing this movie.

[@CinemaCities1978]

THat's amazing! I hope to do that one day.

[@lost_comment]

The scene where she walks into the piazza and the camera pans up and around, I was awe-struck. Such beautiful shots, made me wish I could travel back to that time and explore Venice that way.

[@CinemaCities1978]

It is very beautiful! David Lean loved Venice so much and you can really feel his love and awe of the city when watching this film.

[@katwil89]

I was in Venice for a couple of days in the 80's. I was there for Carnival and saw the spectacular costumes and masks. We saw fireworks in Piazza San Marco. It was one of the most beautiful, magical nights of my life and I will never forget it. I saw Summertime before I went to Venice. When I was there, my friend and I took turns posing for pictures in a cafe like Katherine Hepburn with a turned over chair and the sad look she had on her face when Rossano Brazzi passed by her table.

[@CinemaCities1978]

That sounds absolutely amazing! I can only imagine the fireworks on a summer night in the piazza. I must admit to being very jealous right now! I think posing with the saved chair is brilliant.

[@marymitchell8625]

I first saw this when I was about twelve. Maybe once or twice in my twenties. Nice "middle period" Katharine Hepburn. One of the nice "quieter" David Lean films. Haven't seen a print this good before.

[@CinemaCities1978]

I love that description, "quieter David Lean film"

[@marymitchell8625]

@@CinemaCities1978 ❤️

[@deweymugyoo1707]

One of my favorite movies. And I finally visited these very film locations this summer in Venice because of Summertime. It was magical.

[@mq2471]

I love this movie❤

[@CinemaCities1978]

It's so beautiful!

[@mq2471]

@@CinemaCities1978 yesssss!!

[@michaelsharpe5656]

Venice was definitely one of my favorite destinations in life. The other were the Greek Islands. Not a lot to see on the islands but so relaxing. Venice had a charm all its own because of the buildings, the canals, the piazzas and the scenic views everywhere I went.

[@CinemaCities1978]

Everyone I've talked to who has been to Venice calls it a favorite destination. I can't wait to visit and experience those canals and piazzas in person.

[@arturocostantino623]

It’s odd both are my favorite places as well.

[@CliffnDonChappellDuncan]

I love Venice, Summertime and Don't Look Now.

[@CinemaCities1978]

I love Don't Look Now. Its images of Venice in the bleak winter are such a counter to Lean's lush summer of love and romance.

[@teel714]

This is one of my all-time favorite films! I'm so glad that it was shot in color so one could appreciate the beauty of Venice (back then).

[@davidallinson7810]

i love this film ,after seeing it years ago i went to Venice for a couple of days

[@CinemaCities1978]

I've never been but I hope to go sometime in the next few years. This film really sells the city, it gives you the desire to have an adventure!

[@craigbhill]

Love this flick. A bittersweet little trifle in Hepburn's career, and so for David Lean, who followed up on Summertime with Bridge on the River Kwai, an almost perfect masterpiece. Hepburn was perfect for this role in that her acting really convinced everyone watching this film she WAS a dowdy 40s-plus virgin, far, of course, from her truly adventurous bisexual lifetime. I finally visited Venice for a few days 2+ years ago, staying in a medieval hospital-turned hostel. Venice was better than expected. The place still looks very much as it does in this film. I looked for signs the islands were sinking and saw none of it, not even a high tide mark anywhere. A wonderful and a very sweet film. Highly recommended if you haven't had the pleasure, tho a bit difficult to find. To this day, nothing beats Technicolor, which was criminally phased out in 1974 with Godfather Part 2. Our loss.

[@marlasotherchannel9847]

I love this film, è bellissimo.

[@BobChippewa]

Been to Venice several times. . . the best was during the Christmas holiday.

[@CinemaCities1978]

I would love to spend a Christmas in Venice! That sounds wonderful!

[@arturocostantino623]

The most beautiful city in the world

[@CinemaCities1978]

I agree!

[@grantcarpenter5313]

Thanks-well done. We saw the movie after visiting Venice. How great to see the sights again. The music was wonderful

[@CinemaCities1978]

Glad you enjoyed it! I love that background music because it sets the mood perfectly.

[@MoreMovies4u]

Bravo! This was lovely. I have never come across this film before. You provide me with so much gold. Thanks again, wonderful Cinema Cities.

[@CinemaCities1978]

Oh wow! You've got to see it! It's got such a lovely sense of melancholy about it. I just love how wistful it makes me. On top of that, it's so beautiful. If you weren't longing for Venice, you will be after watching it. Specifically, 1955 Venice - which makes it EVEN MORE melancholy because we'll never be able to go to 1955 Venice.

[@MoreMovies4u]

@@CinemaCities1978 Except in the movie, of course 😊 as you said. We'll always have Venice ⛲🎬

[@Julia-bn1ps]

Excellent montage, fantastic film, heartbreaking city. If you can’t travel there, the film offers you a beautiful impression. Thank you for this!

[@CinemaCities1978]

I'm so glad you liked it! The movie is so beautiful and so wonderfully captures the feel of the city.

[@Julia-bn1ps]

@@CinemaCities1978 I agree! It amuses me that it’s called “Summertime “ in the US and , a touch disapprovingly, “Summer Madness” in the UK.

[@CinemaCities1978]

@@Julia-bn1ps perhaps they should’ve considered “Summer Encounter” with a wink and a nod. 😉

[@Julia-bn1ps]

@@CinemaCities1978 Spot on!

[@susanfraser6371]

This is one of my favourite films. In the mid 1980's I spent a week in Venice, and the film is a reminder of that treasured time. I was on my own, but alas there was no Rosanno Brazzi to romance me. 🤷 There is a moment in your clip from the movie, of an older couple strolling arm in arm. I saw such a couple one evening, near the Campanile. It was Yehudi Menuhin and his wife, the ballerina Diana Gould. Like everyone else, they seemed in love with the city. ♥️

[@rosemaryfranzese317]

Not really a story, no analysis of the film. Maybe it’s just as well because this film is one of my all time favourites and we we are both the same age. Katherine Hepburn paints such a compelling portrait of middle aged loneliness that it’s hard breakbreaking. When Mari Aldon’s character tells Jane that everyone loves her she snaps back “I don’t want everyone I can’t handle a crowd.” Exactly. Rossano Brazzi was wonderful too. The elderly American couple reminded me of an elderly American couple we met in Naples many years ago. David Lean fell so much in love with Venice that he bought a property there, Hepburn gives the film heart and though the stars and director are long gone, Venice retains its allure and it is one of my favourite cities.

[@RESEDA95]

Très beau film et remarquables acteurs. La musique est envoûtante.

[@CinemaCities1978]

C'est un beau film et j'aimerais beaucoup retourner dans le temps pour visiter Venise dans les années 1950.

[@mrkurtlovesmovies]

So enjoyed this one. How this film slipped past my radar is beyond me. David Lean?! I'm there. Love how the city is depicted. Thanks for turning me on to this. Curious why you think this specific video in your archives went viral.

[@CinemaCities1978]

Oh, you must really see this one! It's one that sticks with you long after the movie is over. As for why this one hit. From the very beginning, it ranked high in search results with a good click through rate. After a few months it moved from getting mostly views from search to youtube recommending it and serving it viewers.

[@mrkurtlovesmovies]

@@CinemaCities1978 Good for you! I have yet to understand their algorithm.

[@frederickcombs8661]

Arthur Laurents has quite a bit to say about this movie in his autobiography. It is a fine movie and Hepburn triumphs a sad romantic cringe-worthy performance. She was so patrician... but without her, a film like this wouldn't have had the budget. I, like you, will take this 1954 romance picture of Venice because it's the best we will ever get.

[@RocketAgeMagician]

Lovely clips. For the record, it's Akron, Ohio (not Ackron), and Brazzi plays Renato, not Reynaldo. Yes, I have seen Summertime, and the musical version, Do I Hear a Waltz?, as well.

[@CinemaCities1978]

Thanks for watching! Yes, I noticed the typo on the Akron spelling after I'd rendered the video. Sadly, it's there forever now. It's funny because I've seen the movie so many times and always heard his name as Reynaldo, Rinaldo etc. . . I've learned to double check the cast list just to be sure 😁. How do you feel the musical compared to the film?

[@andi-h8638]

Yesssssss....i want to see this film...please...in german....where...when??? I'm comming...🤩🤩🤩🤩🥰

[@triconcert]

I thought some of Hepburn's early lines were quite hilarious!

[@cameron1975williams]

Perhaps Jim Jarmusch's Night on Earth (1991) would make a suitable subject for one of your videos. Nice work on this one by the way.

[@CinemaCities1978]

Thanks for watching! That's a great suggestion. I will add it to my list.

[@dk60ish]

The only other Katharine Hepburn film besides "Bringing Up Baby" I can watch over and over, a time capsule of a period in the 50's when women naively thought every man with an European accent was ideal. Many middle aged spinsters like Hepburn's character visited Europe then, hoping they would meet their "Continental", greatly perpetuated by the same titled TV show with the dapper unseen European who romanced female American viewers, an episode of the Honeymooners also featured a similar character, a dancer who charmed Alice & Trixie, to Ralph & Norton's contempt. This film could have easily & quickly devolved into another one of those excuses to make a European travelogue feature film, if not for the immense talent of director David Lean, who like Hitchcock with "To Catch A Thief", elevated an otherwise 50's-60's romanticized Hollywood notion of Europe, to the nth degree.

[@l.a.gothro3999]

Akron, OH.

[@Gertyutz]

Brazzi was always typecast as the lover of the heroine while being married.

[@jasoncromwell4206]

Obviously a total "coincidence" having Katie playing a woman having an affair with a man in a complicated marriage.

[@paulaharrisbaca4851]

I thought she was in her 50's. 40's is way too young for that depression because you can still get pregnant. Young women today fail to understand that hitting 30 without having a male lover or companion or, best of all. A husband who will love and support you as well as a child or three is of suicidal level. I feel so badly for girls who got seduced into thinking that they are "born in the wrong body" when all they are doing is becoming an adult human female and then these adolescents try desperately to avoid being the bearers of human life, it's monstrous. No woman really wants to be an alone middle aged woman and you really realize that as you approach 30 and that relentless tick-tock biological clock begins to show that fewer and fewer men will want to bond with you, which is, in my opinion, the reason so many spinsters hate Trump so insanely. A billionaire will never want them now. Only other lonely middle aged women will hook up with them. Although as a 20-something with a very wussy boyfriend we had 8-10 cats as well as snakes and lizards and ferrets and cockatiels and mice (to feed the snakes) we felt quite overjoyed as singlings to raise goofy unwanted children.....

[@USERNAMEfieldempty]

When you go to Venice, please dress elegantly. If you want to wear shorts and a T-shirt, then perhaps Venice, Las Vegas would be more appropriate for you.

[@monikorquideacosta6951]

Dublagem

[@Susieq26754]

Hepburn isn't convincing as a romantic woman in love.

[@CinemaCities1978]

She is a bit tightly wound throughout the entire thing.

[@thomasdonio2129]

I perceived that there was a gradual letting go on her part. There was initially much resistance and great distrust. However, she finally let go and "ate the ravioli." As she says, she finally knew when to leave the party.

[@carfonju1018]

MARVELOUS, IT IS A TRAVEL TO ANOTHER TIME AND ANOTHER PLACE

[@CinemaCities1978]

Yes! That's one of the reasons why I love this film so much.