Hellen I like the storyline of this show,it attract me so much

Lawbolisted Powerful

Chirphymium It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

Kien Navarro Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

secondtake Houseboat (1958)It's crazy to write a review of a movie this old, with two legends, as if I have anything new to say. But that's exactly why it's worth my while. I watched it as a "Cary Grant movie" which is a category like a "Greta Garbo movie." And he's good, though there are no real sparks on screen between him and Sofia Loren, a substitute for Grant's wife of the moment, who wrote the original script. I think it ends up just a match of two screen beauties. The 1958 public liked it, at least.It's weird how old Loren looks here—she's playing a 22 year old (she's 24 during the shoot), but her whole demeanor and hairstyle scream 30 or 40. Weird, because she's supposed to be a wild kid that her dad can't control. This matters because Grant plays an older man—an older father of three whose wife has died and who really needs a nanny. Loren's character becomes the nanny even though she's from a privileged family, mostly as an escape. Famously, Grant had been trying to woo Loren for months during their previous film, and he may or may not have gotten anywhere, but by this filming she made clear she wasn't interested, and even got married (to Carlo Ponti) while this one was being shot.The plot is fun but the film is a bit plasticky. It's not as funny or clever as the old screwball days. Or as fast. The three kids are fine but barely—no great acting here, and no great direction either. Oh yeah, the director—Melville Shavelson—is not making the most of his material. He's more of a screenwriter (he co-wrote this) and there are some great lines. The direction is routine, however, which is a shame, because some scenes are clunky and others play out as if the script would do all the work.Even the cinematography is merely adequate, though the sets and setting are great so you might not notice. The idea of using a houseboat (a real one in Maryland) is a great money saving device, no doubt, and it gives everything an offbeat air. So it's all enjoyable if nothing remarkable, more or less typical of this low point in Hollywood movie-making. The best here is Grant, who still throws his classic one-liners off as if they were his. Too bad they echo out of sync with the rest of the cast.

Amy Adler Tom Winters (Cary Grant) is a very busy lawyer in DC. Divorced, he rarely sees his three beautiful children, David (Paul Petersen), Elizabeth and Robert. Yet, a fateful day arrives. His ex-wife passes away and he is suddenly in charge of the trio of kids. He is out of his element and the kiddies don't like bunking with a virtual stranger, either. Also, the three siblings are used to living in rural Virginia and don't appreciate the "sights" of the big city that Dad tries to show them. Unbelievably, Tom takes his family to a stuffy concert near the Washington Monument. Robert turns up missing but is rescued by a beautiful lady, Cinzie (Sophia Loren). This single woman is running away from the demands of her father, a famous conductor. Very quickly, changes arrive. Cinzia is hired as the housekeeper, although she can't cook or clean. She obviously loves to care for children, though. Then, Tom decides to move to the country and commute to DC and ends up installing the kids in an old Houseboat. Will this really work? Tom and Cinzie are going to be in very "close" quarters! Also, David is still mourning the death of his mother and may need special attention. Can Tom give it? Well, Cinzie is there to help, right? This darling romantic comedy from the late fifties is quite charming. Grant is always a delight and Loren is beyond alluring and lovely while also showing a comic tough. (Just an observation, Loren and Penelope Cruz look very much alike!). Peterson and the other two child actors do a nice job as well, as does all of the other supporting players. Then, the setting of a houseboat in rural Virginie is fun and scenic while costumes, script and lively direction help move the movie along well. Do bring Houseboat to your house soon. Despite its date of release, its story and issues are timeless.

imbluzclooby For those who still have the hopeless romantic side to them still kindling, and for those who are not totally cynical about predictable outcomes, Houseboat is decent fun. Cary Grant repeating his romantic comedy work for the umpteenth time, works well with the ravishing and radiant Sophia Loren. Given they were thirty years apart, Grant and Loren were in a pretty heavy romance off screen at this time. Their chemistry is evident and it shows well here. Harry Gaurdino has a good and humorous supporting role. It cracks me up when movies of the 50's portrayed Italian women as fiery and impulsive. It's done that way a bit here as well with Loren, except the script offers her character a bit more warmth and depth. Hollywood stereotypes of Italians have improved until "The Sopranos" came along forty years later. Houseboat is just a cute movie that is worth watching to fill in time. And if you are a fan of either star, it will be that much better.

itsbarrie Ordinarily, I kind of enjoy these tame old Sixties comedies, but watching Cary Grant in a role written for a B- or C-lister is always painful. As a romantic male lead, there's never been anybody better, but comic dad parts are best left to the Paul Dooleys of the world.The kids are remarkably charm-free, the novelty of the houseboat is tiresome, and the plot is entirely predictable.However, if Sophia Loren is your cup of tea, then by all means feast your eyes. She's at her luscious prime here. A better idea for all concerned might have been to dispense with the family angle, and have it be a romantic drama with Grant and Harry Guardino -- who does a lot with a little here -- vying for her charms.