THREE BITES OF THE APPLE

US, 1967, 105 minutes, Colour.
David Mc Callum, Sylva Koscina, Domenico Modugno, Tammy Grimes, Harvey Korman, Aldo Fabrizi.
Directed by Alvin Ganzer.

A piece of fluff. It is frivolous and only slightly entertaining. It was a star vehicle for David Mc Callum who was a success in The Man From UNCLE series at the time. He is not a substantial actor. The eccentrically voiced Tammy Grimes is in support. However. it is Sylva Koscina as the adventuress and Italian singing idol of the sixties Dominico Modugno who are more successful. However, the scenery of Italy and Switzerland is much better presented than usual and compensates for the slightness of the plot It had possibilities but succumbs to a very ordinary presentation.

1. The significance of the title - man and woman, temptation and fall?

2. Romantic conventions? Gambling, the Englishman on the Continent? The European adventuress, the Italian husband, the elaborate swindle? Chases? Confrontations and the expected happy ending?

3. The contribution of colour photography, the European locations and their use? The score and the pleasant theme tune?

4. How credible was the plot? Stanley Thrumm as tourist guide, his naivety, English background? The accident of his winning the money? His being tricked by Carla, confiding in her, enjoying her company? The encounter with her in Rome, the plot with Aaron, the various devices use for smuggling, the money - especially with Miss Sparrow? The realisation of the truth, the confrontation with Ramon, with Carla? His learning by his mistake and his getting off the train at the end?

5. David Mc Callum and his naivety as Stanley? His work as a tourist guide, his relationship with his group? Miss Sparrow and her advances and her revenge? The farcical aspects of his going to Carla's room and to Miss Sparrow's? The swindle and his reaction to it? His fight with Ramon? How much did he love Carla? Was it credible that he would get out of the train at the end?

6. Carla as the Continental adventuress, the background of her marriage, using her ex-husband for the swindle, her manner of leading Stanley on, how much did she love him? Taking his money, the return? Would she have any future with Stanley?

7. The humour and satire in the presentation of the guests, their following the tourist routes, their mannerisms? Miss Sparrow and her advances to Stanley, her jealousy, the dog, getting the money across the border and her encounter with the Customs man, her writing the letter after his rejection of her, her reaction when Stanley announced his leaving at the dinner table?

8. Ramon as the pleasant Italian villain? his companion and her stupidity, drinking? His being hit on the nose, the chase and the fight?

9. The contrivances of the affluent romantic comedy? A success within its conventions, not?