Escapade in Florence

"Escapade in Florence"
The Magical World of Disney episodes

Episode nos.	Season 9 Episodes 2-3
Directed by	Steve Previn
Written by	Maurice Tombragel Bob Wehling
Based on	The Golden Doors by Edward Fenton
Produced by	Bill Anderson
Featured music	Buddy Baker
Cinematography by	Kurt Grigoleit
Original air date	1962 (1962)
Running time	81 minutes

"Escapade in Florence" is a two-part episode of the The Magical World of Disney television show which was released theatrically in some countries. Walt Disney described it as a "two-part teenage comedy adventure" which was "international in flavor".^[1] The show first aired on September 30 and October 7, 1962, and was repeated in June 1963 and June 1969.^[2]

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Plot

Mystery and suspense follow Annette Funicello and Tommy Kirk as they play students studying in the enchanting city of Florence, Italy. As the two find romance among the city's magnificent art and architecture, they discover that her paintings are at the center of an elaborate art forgery ring involving Florence's most treasured masterpieces. Danger soon finds them when they uncover the mastermind behind the plot and they're thrown into an ancient dungeon. It's now up to Annette to save the day, but will help arrive in time?

Cast

Tommy Kirk as Tommy Carpenter
Annette Funicello as Annette Aliotto
Nino Castelnuovo as Bruno
Clelia Matania as Aunt Gisella
Venantino Venantini as Lorenzo
Ivan Desny as Count Roberto
Odoardo Spadaro as Padrone
Carlo Rizzo as Uncle Mario
Renzo Palmer as Carabiniere
Richard Watson as Butler
Helen Stirling as Miss Brooks
Ivan Triesault as Professor Levenson

Production

The film was based on a book by Edward Fenton called The Golden Doors which was published in July 1957.^[3] Disney bought the rights in December 1957.^[4]

In May 1959 Winston Miller was writing a script for producer William Anderson.^[5]

It was shot on location in Florence, Italy. Shooting finished in May 1962.^[6] Funicello wrote that Italy was her favourite location ever .^[7]

Release

The Monthly Film Bulletin called it "an almost perfect example of its genre - straightforward story, likeable young protagonists, some good rough and tumble with the hero's skill in jiu jitsu coming in useful, pleasant songs, a general happy atmosphere, and a strong location background."^[8]

Diabolique said it "very much puts Kirk front and center, and he is charming as an American abroad getting into hijinks with art thieves."^[9]

The film was released in September 2013 on DVD via the Disney Movie Club Exclusives.^[10]^[11]

Comic book adaption

Gold Key: Escapade in Florence (January 1963)^[12]

References

^ Disney Paints Bright Picture Disney, Walt. Los Angeles Times March 25, 1962: D4
^ Cotter, Bill (1997). The Wonderful World of Disney Television. Hyperion Books. pp. 108, 526. ISBN 0-7868-6359-5.
^ Varied Fare in Summer Titles for Youngsters Los Angeles Times 21 July 1957: E6.
^ BY WAY OF REPORT: Disney Plans Two New Films--Other Items By A.H. WEILER. New York Times 22 Dec 1957: 51.
^ 'Top of the World' Reached by Quinn: Moviemakers Venture Afield; Disney Swings 'Golden Doors' Scheuer, Philip K. Los Angeles Times 21 May 1959: A11.
^ NOTED ON THE ITALIAN SCENE: At Home Abroad Works in Progress Double Duties By ROBERT F. HAWKINS. New York Times 13 May 1962: X7.
^ Funicello, Annette; Bashe, Patricia Romanowski (1994). A dream is a wish your heart makes : my story. Hyperion. p. 131.
^ ESCAPADE IN FLORENCE Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 30, Iss. 348, (Jan 1, 1963): 65.
^ Vagg, Stephen (September 9, 2019). "The Cinema of Tommy Kirk". Diabolique Magazine.
^ "ESCAPADE IN FLORENCE coming to DVD via the DMC | Open Vault Disney". Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
^ "ESCAPADE IN FLORENCE Now Available to Own on DVD | Open Vault Disney". Archived from the original on September 26, 2013. Retrieved September 22, 2013.
^ "Gold Key: Escapade in Florence". Grand Comics Database.