THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN (1954) C widescreen 101m dir: Jean Negulesco
w/Clifton Webb, Dorothy McGuire, Jean Peters, Louis Jourdan, Maggie McNamara, Rossano Brazzi, Howard St. John, Kathryn Givney, Cathleen Nesbitt, Vincent Padula
From Variety's contemporary review of the film: "Once before, in How to Marry a Millionaire, director Jean Negulesco CinemaScoped a trio of feminine beauties into a lucrative attraction. In Three Coins in the Fountain he repeats this feat but obviously has gained some experience. The film has warmth, humor, a rich dose of romance and almost incredible pictorial appeal.
"For those who aren't satisfied feasting their eyes on the stunning backgrounds and the plush interior sets, there is another trio of femme stars --- Dorothy McGuire, Jean Peters and Maggie McNamara --- in smart and expensive-looking clothes. As their male counterparts they have Clifton Webb, debonaire and fun as always; Rossano Brazzi, an appealing young Italian; and Louis Jourdan, appealing as the romantic lead.
"Story [from a novel by John H. Secondari] introduces to Rome McNamara, an American coming to take a secretarial job. She's met by Peters and later introduced to her third roommate in their sumptuous apartment, McGuire. They all toss a coin in the fountain, and it grants them their wish."
THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN won two Oscars: Best Cinematography (Milton Krasner) and Song ("Three Coins in the Fountain" by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn). It was also nominated for Best Picture.