three coins in the fountain

the year: 1954

the genre: drama


the cast: Clifton Webb (John Frederick Shadwell); Dorothy McGuire (Miss Frances); Jean Peters (Anita Hutchins); Louis Jourdan (Prince Dino di Cessi); Maggie McNamara (Maria Williams); Rossano Brazzi (Georgio Bianchi)


the plot: three American secretaries/roommates working in Italy wish for the men of their dreams after throwing coins into Rome's magnificent Trevi Fountain. Frances is in love with her employer, a smooth-talking novelist, while Anita defies office regulations by spending time with an Italian who works at the government agency, and office newcomer Maria meets a real Italian Prince Charming.


don't miss: Miss Frances' binge drinking.




watch for: the magically full fountain in the last scene.



listen for: "My husband declares that I was simply born to be a writer. He says if anyone just took a pencil and followed me around, they'd have a novel." "My dear lady, I should be delighted to get behind you with a pencil."



you can watch the movie in parts, starting here.


extra bonus points: if you know which 50s vocal group is well known for its version of the theme song.




also listen for: "Why can't women play the game properly? Everyone knows that in love affairs only the man has the right to lie!"



watch the trailer here.

swiss family robinson

the year: 1960

the genre: adventure


the cast: John Mills (Father); Dorothy McGuire (Mother); James MacArthur (Fritz); Tommy Kirk (Ernst); Kevin Corcoran (Francis); Janet Munro (Roberta/Bertie)


the plot: A family in route to New Guinea is shipwrecked on a deserted tropical island. They are forced to remain on the island because of the damage to the ship and the pirates that are roaming the islands. Adventure ensues as the family deals with issues of survival, pirates, and the brothers must learn how to live on the island with an uncertain future.


check out: the treehouse. I mean, come on – let’s be honest. Who DIDN’T want one of those?



count: how many coconut bombs Francis sets off before the pirates arrive.


listen for: “Do you read a lot, Fritz?” “Who, him? He practically doesn't ever read at all!” “Never really needed to. Sooner or later, Ernst tells me everything he knows.”



don’t miss: the Pirate King’s color-changing coat. It alternates between red and blue in shots of the same scene. Think that’s in homage to Sleeping Beauty?



did you know: Duke, one of the Robinson’s Great Danes, stars in a later Disney film as Brutus, the Ugly Dachshund.





extra bonus points: if you can name what animals Turk, Rocky, Lightning, Clementine and Duchess are.

summer magic

the year: 1963

the genre: musical


the cast: Hayley Mills (Nancy Carey); Burl Ives (Ossium “Osh” Popham); Dorothy McGuire (Margaret Carey); Deborah Walley (Julia Carey); Una Merkel (Mariah Popham); Eddie Hodges (Gilly Carey); Peter Brown (Tom Hamilton)


the plot: Beulah, Maine postmaster Osh Popham helps widow Mrs. Carey and her three children move from Boston into a local, run-down, old house – and fixes it up for them. It's not entirely uninhabited, though; the owner, a Mr. Hamilton, is a mysterious character away in Europe, but Osh assures them he won't mind their living there, since he won't be coming home for a long time yet. The children and a cousin who comes to live with them have various adventures before an unexpected visitor shows up.


count: how many insects RSVP for the Ugly Bug Ball.


don’t miss: how Mrs. Popham likes her clouds.


check out: the portrait(s) of Mrs. Hamilton.


listen for: “Wonderful folks, even if they ain't got the rickets.”


also listen for: “Mariah, your pot's boilin' over.”


did you know: this movie was originally planned as a vehicle for Annette Funicello.