Classic Movie Hub Blog

Ah, La Dolce Vita!

Well, I just returned from yet another fabulous vacation — this time to Italy, Greece and Turkey — and I am happy to say that I saw some wonderful Classic Movie Sites — particularly in Rome.  Not very unusual for me however, because I always try to squeeze in some Classic Movie Sites whenever I travel (in addition to history and music sites, but that’s another story!).  That said, I’d like to share some photos with you here from my latest adventure.

Along the Via del Corso in beautiful Rome, I stumbled upon a quaint little sandwich shop that offered some Classic Movie Sandwiches, done ‘Italian Style’!

The Anna Magnani ‘chicken meat’ sandwich:

Ah, the Anna Magnani Sandwich, La Dolce Vita! What is 'chicken meat'???

The Sophia Loren ham and cheese sandwich:

As Sophia Loren said in "Houseboat": Dolce Fa Niente (how sweet to do nothing)!

And, last but not least, the Marilyn Monroe tuna sandwich:

And how could anyone resist the Marilyn Monroe Tuna Sandwich???

The Via del Corso:

Via del Corso Rome

We stayed in a little hotel called Hotel Manfredi at via Margutta 61, just a few doors away from Joe Bradley’s/Gregory Peck’s apartment in Roman Holiday (at via Margutta 51) where Crown Princess Ann/Audrey Hepburn began her love affair with Joe/Peck. Just a short walk away was via Margutta 110 where Federico Fellini lived with his wife Giulietta Masina.

Hotel Manfredi at via Margutta 51, just a few doors away from via Margutta 61 where Audrey Hepburn (Crown Princess Ann) started her love affair with Gregory Peck (Joe Bradley) in Roman Holiday (William Wyler director)

The entrance to Hotel Manfredi was on the 3rd floor of the building via a quaint metal elevator similar to the one in Petticoat Junction. By the way, Hotel Manfredi was marvelous! Emmanuel, at the front desk, was funny, friendly and very accommodating!  I would strongly recommend this hotel – a great location (just two blocks from The Spanish Steps) on a quiet street with beautiful rooms and a fabulous included breakfast!

Hotel Manfredi, Rome

Just two blocks away from the Hotel Manfredi —  The Spanish Steps as seen in Roman Holiday!

The Spanish Steps, Rome Italy: as seen in Roman Holiday

We had lunch in a little Italian Restaurant not too far from The Spanish Steps; obviously a theme going on here…

A life-size image of Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck from Roman Holiday, near the Spanish Steps

(note: I didn’t get to see the La Bocca della Verita (The Mouth of Truth) on this trip, but I did see it the last time I was in Rome. When I dig up the photos, I will post them.)

Now, moving on a bit…

Of course, I just HAD to visit the Trevi Fountain in honor of the Three Coins in the Fountain! And, as Sinatra would sing — “Three hearts in a fountain / Each heart longing for its home / There they lie in the fountain / Somewhere in the heart of Rome…”

Trevi Fountain, Rome Italy: from the all-time classic movie Three Coins in the Fountain (director Jean Negulesco) starring Clifton Webb, Dorothy McGuire and Jean Peters

Now, there are probably plenty of classic movies that feature the Colosseum and the Roman Forum in one form or another…  Off the top of my head, I’m thinking — The Sign of the Cross and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum — but I’m sure there are so many more films that are eluding me right now…

The Roman Colosseum

The Roman Forum

I was also lucky enough to stop in Pompeii… ala The Last Days of Pompeii… (and yes, that’s Mount Vesuvius in the background!)

Pompeii, the site 'featured' in The Last Days of Pompeii (directors Ernest B. Schoedsack, Merian C. Cooper)

I did also see a fabulous Classic Movie site in Greece — which I will publish in a separate post momentarily…

And for a list of more Classic Movie Travel Sites click here.

–Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub