Love with the Proper Stranger (1963)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Robert Mulligan

Writer:

Arnold Schulman (written by)

Release Date:

25 December 1963 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

she needed him...he needed her...if they only realize it!

Plot:

Angie Rossini is an innocent (Italian Catholic) Macy's salesgirl, who discovers she's pregnant from a fling with Rocky...

Plot Keywords:

Musician | Abortion | Italian | Department Store | Catholic

Awards:

Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Natalie Wood	...	Angie Rossini
Steve McQueen	...	Rocky Papasano
Edie Adams	...	Barbie
Herschel Bernardi	...	Dominick Rossini
Anne Hegira	...	Beetie
Harvey Lembeck	...	Julio Rossini
Mario Badolati	...	Elio Papasano
Penny Santon	...	Mama Rossini
Elena Karam	...	The Woman
Virginia Vincent	...	Anna
Nina Varela	...	Mrs. Columbo
E. Nick Alexander	...	Guido Rossini
Marilyn Chris	...	Gina
Augusta Ciolli	...	Mrs. Papasano
Wolfe Barzell	...	The Priest

Runtime:

102 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Finland:K-16 | Sweden:15 | USA:Unrated

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Pakula-Mulligan

Trivia:

Tom Bosley's movie debut.

Quotes:

Rocky Papasano: You look so... what am I gonna tell ya? you look like a women
Angie Rossini: [bursts out laughing] how can you manage to make a compliment sound like a slap in the face?
Rocky Papasano: What did I say? you look like a women. My apologies, excuse me, you look like a man.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Murder, She Wrote: The Search for Peter Kerry (#5.11)" (1989)

Memorable performances by Natalie Wood and Steve McQueen - perfect together

I really like this film. It's exciting to watch these two wonderful talented actors working together. "Love With the Proper Stranger" is always a favorite and I'm irresistibly hooked on repeated viewing.

Natalie Wood is the feisty young working woman struggling for her chance to be independent, to live away from the family (attached Italian parents and brothers in NYC setting) and be on her own terms. Steve McQueen is the center of opposite attraction: the problem and the goal. He is a union musician who is trying to be financially independent; he also has close family ties with both endearing mother and father. Edie Adams is in a supporting role as McQueen's girl friend with an apartment to lean on. Tom Bosley is the kind and good-hearted suitor that Wood's character's family approves. It's a heart-warming, very much a 60's love story that touches on the tough subject of abortion, yet brims with humor, drama and affectionate smiles.

Shot in black and white; music by Elmer Bernstein, with the theme song sung by Jack Jones; produced by Alan J. Pakula; the film is keen and sensitively directed by Robert Mulligan. His films include the award winning 1962 "To Kill A Mockingbird"; the intriguingly haunting 1972 "The Other"; an unforgettably fun 1961 "Come September" with Gina Lollobrigida & Rock Hudson, Sandra Dee & Bobby Darin in Italy; the 1971 classic coming of age film "The Summer of '42" with lovely Jennifer O'Neill; and another poignant coming of age story from a girl's point of view in 1991 "The Man In the Moon", with Reese Witherspoon in her impressive film debut.