Coins in the Fountain
Encyclopedia
Coins in the Fountain is a television film which was released on September 28, 1990. The film is based on the novel Coins in the Fountain
by John H. Secondari
, which was previously filmed in 1954 as Three Coins in the Fountain
. It was directed by Tony Wharmby
and written by Lindsay Harrison. Filming took place in Rome
and other parts of Italy
during the summer of 1990.
where Leah (Loni Anderson
) has just been named as the West Coast editor for a magazine owned by Nelson Publishing. Her new job will begin as soon as she returns from her annual vacation with her two best friends, Nikki (Stepfanie Kramer
), a divorced woman who refuses to trust any man due to her ex-husband's cheating, and Bonnie (Shanna Reed
), a married mother who loves her husband but hates the routine her life has settled into. As Leah is recently separated from Mac Chambers (John Sanderford), and it is her turn to plan the vacation, she chooses Rome
. Leah had previously spent two months there during the summer of 1970 and been romantically involved with a young Italian
artist named Marcello (Stuart Wilson). After learning of the trip, Mac, hoping for a reconciliation with Leah, encourages her to go see Marcello but wants time with her when she returns.
Upon arriving in Rome, the three women find that their hotel room shares a bathroom with another American
. Joe (Carl Weintraub
) is a recently retired New York City
police
detective who was recently left at the altar and is taking his supposed honeymoon alone, as the trip had been prepaid. The women, Nikki in particular, struggle with the sharing of the bathroom. The women then go sightseeing, ending up at Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers in the Piazza Navona
. Nikki comments that "it doesn't look the same as in the movie" (A nod to the 1954 film
). The ladies agree to throw their coins and make their wishes at this fountain since they do not want to walk all the way to the Trevi Fountain
, which was used in the previous film.
Leah locates Marcello, now a curator
at an art museum and finds the courage to meet him. Marcello is excited to again see Leah, and the two spend the afternoon together strolling around the city. Meanwhile, Nikki and Bonnie lose each other in the crowds of tourists. Nikki makes it back to the hotel, and she and Joe share their stories and eventually decide to go to dinner together. Bonnie ends up with a tour group and meets Alfred (Anthony Newley
), a widower who becomes interested in her. They also go to dinner that night.
As their two week vacation is coming to an end, the women try to sort out their feelings. Leah is convinced that Marcello is going to ask her to stay, as he did in 1970, and this time she decides she will say yes. Nikki decides to break it off with Joe, as she does not ever want to be in a position of being hurt again, and Bonnie truly does not know what she wants. Alfred, who has become a good friend, has offered her to come with him to Switzerland
for another two weeks. She feels that if she does not go, she may never have another chance, and she is not anxious to return to her mundane life.
As Nikki gets to Joe's hotel room, she finds that he has already left, and she begins to cry. Meanwhile, Leah tells Marcello she will stay and is then surprised to find out that he had not even thought about asking her to stay. Marcello tells her that he thought she was living her life exactly how she wanted it, based upon her statements from 1970. He tells her that her career focus is what influenced him to give up being an artist and move into his career.
The next day, their last day in Rome, the ladies go to breakfast and then return to the hotel. To their surprise, Joe has come back and Bonnie's husband, Phil (David Wilson
) has flown in as well. Joe tells Nikki that he does not want to lose her. Phil tells Bonnie that he missed her too much and that he needs her.
Marcello appears and tells Leah that he would like her to stay if she wants to, but Leah responds that she realized that it can't be 1970 again and that she has always had a fantasy that it could be. She ends by saying that she needed to get back to Los Angeles, her dream job and to Mac, who she had not been fair to. She has always held it against him that he was not a young, Italian artist.
The film ends with Leah, Phil, Bonnie, Joe and Nikki on an airplane flying home, with Leah asking, "So how does Paris
in April sound?"
was recorded by Jack Jones
(The singer of The Love Boat
theme) and used in this film.
and other fountain
s of Rome, as well as many shots of Villa d'Este
in Tivoli, Italy
.
Coins in the Fountain (novel)
Coins in the Fountain is a novel by John Hermes Secondari, from which was adapted the 1954 Academy Award-winning film, Three Coins in the Fountain. It was remade in 1964 as the Oscar-nominated film The Pleasure Seekers and again in 1990 as Coins in the Fountain....
by John H. Secondari
John H. Secondari
John Hermes Secondari was an American author and television producer.Secondari's 1952 novel Coins in the Fountain was made into the 1954 Academy Award-winning film Three Coins in the Fountain and remade as the 1964 Oscar-nominated film The Pleasure Seekers...
, which was previously filmed in 1954 as Three Coins in the Fountain
Three Coins in the Fountain (1954 film)
Three Coins in the Fountain is the 1954 film that introduced the song of the same name, which became an enduring standard. It tells the story of three American girls looking for romance in Rome while employed at the American Embassy...
. It was directed by Tony Wharmby
Tony Wharmby
Tony Wharmby is an English television director and producer.Wharmby is best known for his directorial work on television series such as JAG, NCIS, The O.C., Bones, Providence, Coronation Street, High Sierra Search and Rescue, The X-Files, Coins in the Fountain, New Scotland Yard, Gossip Girl,...
and written by Lindsay Harrison. Filming took place in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
and other parts of Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
during the summer of 1990.
Summary
The film opens during the summer of 1990 in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
where Leah (Loni Anderson
Loni Anderson
Loni Kaye Anderson is an American actress who played the role of Jennifer Marlowe on the television sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati.- Early life :...
) has just been named as the West Coast editor for a magazine owned by Nelson Publishing. Her new job will begin as soon as she returns from her annual vacation with her two best friends, Nikki (Stepfanie Kramer
Stepfanie Kramer
Stepfanie Kramer is an American actress, writer, and singer/songwriter. She is probably best known for her role as the tough-minded detective, "Sgt...
), a divorced woman who refuses to trust any man due to her ex-husband's cheating, and Bonnie (Shanna Reed
Shanna Reed
Shanna Reed is an American dancer and actress, best known for her roles on television and movies. She is best known for playing Polly Cooper McGillis on Major Dad....
), a married mother who loves her husband but hates the routine her life has settled into. As Leah is recently separated from Mac Chambers (John Sanderford), and it is her turn to plan the vacation, she chooses Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. Leah had previously spent two months there during the summer of 1970 and been romantically involved with a young Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
artist named Marcello (Stuart Wilson). After learning of the trip, Mac, hoping for a reconciliation with Leah, encourages her to go see Marcello but wants time with her when she returns.
Upon arriving in Rome, the three women find that their hotel room shares a bathroom with another American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Joe (Carl Weintraub
Carl Weintraub
Carl Weintraub is an American actor who appeared on numerous television shows from the 1970s to the 2000s in addition to several movies....
) is a recently retired New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
detective who was recently left at the altar and is taking his supposed honeymoon alone, as the trip had been prepaid. The women, Nikki in particular, struggle with the sharing of the bathroom. The women then go sightseeing, ending up at Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers in the Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona is a city square in Rome, Italy. It is built on the site of the Stadium of Domitian, built in 1st century AD, and follows the form of the open space of the stadium. The ancient Romans came there to watch the agones , and hence it was known as 'Circus Agonalis'...
. Nikki comments that "it doesn't look the same as in the movie" (A nod to the 1954 film
Three Coins in the Fountain (1954 film)
Three Coins in the Fountain is the 1954 film that introduced the song of the same name, which became an enduring standard. It tells the story of three American girls looking for romance in Rome while employed at the American Embassy...
). The ladies agree to throw their coins and make their wishes at this fountain since they do not want to walk all the way to the Trevi Fountain
Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain is a fountain in the Trevi rione in Rome, Italy. Standing 26 metres high and 20 metres wide, it is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world....
, which was used in the previous film.
Leah locates Marcello, now a curator
Curator
A curator is a manager or overseer. Traditionally, a curator or keeper of a cultural heritage institution is a content specialist responsible for an institution's collections and involved with the interpretation of heritage material...
at an art museum and finds the courage to meet him. Marcello is excited to again see Leah, and the two spend the afternoon together strolling around the city. Meanwhile, Nikki and Bonnie lose each other in the crowds of tourists. Nikki makes it back to the hotel, and she and Joe share their stories and eventually decide to go to dinner together. Bonnie ends up with a tour group and meets Alfred (Anthony Newley
Anthony Newley
Anthony George Newley was an English actor, singer and songwriter. He enjoyed success as a performer in such diverse fields as rock and roll and stage and screen acting.-Early life:...
), a widower who becomes interested in her. They also go to dinner that night.
As their two week vacation is coming to an end, the women try to sort out their feelings. Leah is convinced that Marcello is going to ask her to stay, as he did in 1970, and this time she decides she will say yes. Nikki decides to break it off with Joe, as she does not ever want to be in a position of being hurt again, and Bonnie truly does not know what she wants. Alfred, who has become a good friend, has offered her to come with him to Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
for another two weeks. She feels that if she does not go, she may never have another chance, and she is not anxious to return to her mundane life.
As Nikki gets to Joe's hotel room, she finds that he has already left, and she begins to cry. Meanwhile, Leah tells Marcello she will stay and is then surprised to find out that he had not even thought about asking her to stay. Marcello tells her that he thought she was living her life exactly how she wanted it, based upon her statements from 1970. He tells her that her career focus is what influenced him to give up being an artist and move into his career.
The next day, their last day in Rome, the ladies go to breakfast and then return to the hotel. To their surprise, Joe has come back and Bonnie's husband, Phil (David Wilson
David Wilson (actor)
David Patrick Wilson is an American actor and director, probably best known for playing Superman in the 1975 TV musical special It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman! an adaptation of the 1966 Broadway musical....
) has flown in as well. Joe tells Nikki that he does not want to lose her. Phil tells Bonnie that he missed her too much and that he needs her.
Marcello appears and tells Leah that he would like her to stay if she wants to, but Leah responds that she realized that it can't be 1970 again and that she has always had a fantasy that it could be. She ends by saying that she needed to get back to Los Angeles, her dream job and to Mac, who she had not been fair to. She has always held it against him that he was not a young, Italian artist.
The film ends with Leah, Phil, Bonnie, Joe and Nikki on an airplane flying home, with Leah asking, "So how does Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
in April sound?"
Theme song
The song Three Coins in the FountainThree Coins in the Fountain (song)
"Three Coins in the Fountain" is a popular song which received the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1954.The melody was written by Jule Styne, the lyrics by Sammy Cahn. It was written for the romance film, Three Coins in the Fountain and refers to the act of throwing a coin into the Trevi...
was recorded by Jack Jones
Jack Jones (singer)
John Allan "Jack" Jones is an American jazz and pop singer. He was one of the most popular vocalists of the 1960s.-Overview:...
(The singer of The Love Boat
The Love Boat
The Love Boat is an American television series set on a cruise ship, which aired on the ABC Television Network from September 24,1977, until May 24,1986.The show starred Gavin MacLeod as the ship's captain...
theme) and used in this film.
Opening scenes
During the opening credits, the scene is a recreation of the opening of the 1954 film. It is a montage of the Trevi FountainTrevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain is a fountain in the Trevi rione in Rome, Italy. Standing 26 metres high and 20 metres wide, it is the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world....
and other fountain
Fountain
A fountain is a piece of architecture which pours water into a basin or jets it into the air either to supply drinking water or for decorative or dramatic effect....
s of Rome, as well as many shots of Villa d'Este
Villa d'Este
The Villa d'Este is a villa situated at Tivoli, near Rome, Italy. Listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, it is a fine example of Renaissance architecture and the Italian Renaissance garden.-History:...
in Tivoli, Italy
Tivoli, Italy
Tivoli , the classical Tibur, is an ancient Italian town in Lazio, about 30 km east-north-east of Rome, at the falls of the Aniene river where it issues from the Sabine hills...
.
Cast
- Loni AndersonLoni AndersonLoni Kaye Anderson is an American actress who played the role of Jennifer Marlowe on the television sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati.- Early life :...
... Leah - Stepfanie KramerStepfanie KramerStepfanie Kramer is an American actress, writer, and singer/songwriter. She is probably best known for her role as the tough-minded detective, "Sgt...
... Nikki Taylor - Shanna ReedShanna ReedShanna Reed is an American dancer and actress, best known for her roles on television and movies. She is best known for playing Polly Cooper McGillis on Major Dad....
... Bonnie - Carl WeintraubCarl WeintraubCarl Weintraub is an American actor who appeared on numerous television shows from the 1970s to the 2000s in addition to several movies....
... Joe Marino - Stuart Wilson ... Marcello
- David WilsonDavid Wilson (actor)David Patrick Wilson is an American actor and director, probably best known for playing Superman in the 1975 TV musical special It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman! an adaptation of the 1966 Broadway musical....
... Phil - Anthony NewleyAnthony NewleyAnthony George Newley was an English actor, singer and songwriter. He enjoyed success as a performer in such diverse fields as rock and roll and stage and screen acting.-Early life:...
... Alfred - John Sanderford ... Mac Chambers
- Tim FlavinTim FlavinTim Flavin is an American actor. He is the first American actor to receive the Laurence Olivier Award in 1984 for his performance in the musical On Your Toes.- References :* biography for "Singn' in the Rain", UK Productions....
... Steve - Peter KellyPeter KellyPeter Kelly may refer to:*Peter Kelly , Irish Fianna Fáil politician and TD for Longford-Roscommon*Peter J. Kelly, current mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada...
... Carlo - Liz Daniels ... Flower Lady
- Francesca DeRose ... Tour Guide #1
- Francesco Tola ... Tour Guide #2
- Roberto Minozzi ... Tour Guide #3
- Livio Galass ... Desk Clerk