77 Sunset Strip (TV Series) The Lovely American (1962) User Reviews

Not 2 Bad

[darbski · 10/10 · 15 July 2017]

This one actually was humorous as well as mildly dramatic, with a quasi-inspirational ending. Several of the finest actors in the business played strong parts in this episode, and despite the complete predictability, it came off very well. These terrific performers put forth an episode that left Roger Smith in the background.

Jeff has to give out a bunch of money to an Italian village for some obscure reason (if they gave one, I must have gone to the bathroom), and, just like usual, bad guys mess up the plan. And they have a Jim-dandy bad guy in John Marley; an actor who is one of the very best gangsters and general purpose evil doers in Hollywood. Add in a foolish, love struck Gendarme, two beautiful women, and a village of easily swayed citizens, and whattya got? A quick moving, amusing, well done plot that is a pleasure to watch. Even without Kookie or Roscoe, it does pretty well, and as for pretty, two of the prettiest Hollywood ever presented us with: Lisa Gaye, and Marianna Hill make up for any weak spots. The bit players and extras were absolutely fabulous, this one is a real gem.... Good show, 77.

Another Wasted Stripper Trip to Backlot Europe

[BigSkyMax · 3/10 · 15 July 2017]

This is what 50s-60s television did the most and the worst: showcase patronizing world stereotypes. They helped Americans think they were the new world masters because we won that last big war, remember? They were insufferable. This time, we're off to backlot Italy. The only 77 Stripper needed in this show is handsome and deboner Jeff Spencer (Roger Smith). He is supposed to give out some kind of inheritance an eccentric American has left to his home village. He needs to be there in person to do it because, well, otherwise there is no story. This of course is welcome news to our colorful scripted peasants. But there's a mysterious pair of fake news journalists from Milan who show up. They pretend they want to help our villagers celebrate, when they really mean to steal the money for themselves. They are the villains.

Everybody in town, about two dozen people and a donkey, speaks Italian as if they learned it off the back of a frozen pizza box. Excepting two momma-poppas and a comely daughter, and one sophisticated lady, the local characters are mostly silent. These other villagers shop at Chico Marx's Rag Locker and spend their days huddling around in the background, making incoherent mob noises, sometimes happy, sometimes sad. Eye candy includes Marianna Hill and Lisa Gaye for the guys and the suave Nico Minardos for the ladies.

It's always fun to see character actor John Marley, most famously the Godfather's Hollywood producer who wakes up with Mr. Ed's head in his bed. Here he is the Bad Guy.

I don't even want to chase what happens to Jeff and the money. Let's just say the story for this episode is thinner than half a strand of angel hair pasta. One of the worst.