I have just finished watching a movie filmed entirely in Venice in the early 50's called &quot;Summertime&quot;, staring Katherine Hepburn. It centers around the Pensione Fiorini near the Accademia. Does anyone know if this is really the name of the pensione, and if it is not, what is the actual name of the pensione.<BR><BR>Thanks

I have read that the interior shots in this movie were filmed at Pensione Accademia Villa Maravege. You will find many positive comments about this hotel on this board.

I'd read that only the exteriors were filmed at the Accademia, the terrace and such. It looked the same as in the film when I saw the terrace last year.<BR><BR>Even so, the view from the terrace in the film is not the same as the view from the real terrace, at least not now<BR><BR><BR>for more info on Venice vis a vis the film:<BR><BR>www.neponset.com/brazzi/summer.htm and www.veniceword.com/p2vefilms.html <BR>

We've watched this movie several times to figure out the locations. If we're right, the terrace seems to be set right in Campo San Vio. The shots look down Rio San Vio to the left and the Grand Canal to the right. We've stayed at the Hotel American (on Rio San Vio)twice which is why we think we recognized the area so well. <BR><BR>However, there is no terrace today on that spot, maybe it was a set or perhaps the buildings have been modified since then? I think we may have to go back to Venice to check it out one more time just to be sure.

Elaine: Thanks for the web sites. I have seen &quot;Summertime&quot; several times and enjoy the theme song or one of the songs. I am unable to locate the sheet music. If you or anyone here know where to find one please let me know. The lyric goes like this: &quot;I dream of the summertime.....&quot;. Another verse is &quot;I see the cafes, the sunny day, and you my love.....&quot;. Another verse is &quot;I dream all the winter long.... joyous songs&quot;.<BR><BR>Looking forward to hear from you.<BR><BR>Summertime in Venice.

SUMMERTIME is one of my favorite movies and has created an obsession to travel to Venice ... someday. As a film historian, I've searched high and low for information about the locations used in the movie. According to all sources, the Pensione Accademia is indeed where some filming was done. Not sure exactly where and the photos available of the Pensione today don't match anything in the film. In a book on director David Lean, I learned that the terrace where Hepburn and others sit was indeed built for the film. Lean was horrified to learn that the overzealous carpenters tore it down before the film had been totally completed but luckily he didn't need it again. Hepburn did not actually stay there but first rented a villa on an island and then eventually moved to a luxury hotel somewhere in Venice. Lean stayed at the Gritti.
The canal where Kate falls in is of course at Campo San Barnaba. The same setting is used in INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE as well as THE ITALIAN JOB and probably countless others.
Hepburn complained from a chronic eye infection for the rest of her life, blaming that fall into the canal. Actually, a recent book reveals that she'd sneak away on a gondola every night and swim in the canals. She swam every day of her life apparently.
When Kate meets little Mauro, he scampers down a wall by some steps to sell her postcards. That same setting is shot from exactly the same angle in Woody Allen's EVERYONE SAYS I LOVE YOU in the scene where Woody meets Julia Roberts on a morning jog.
Check out any book on Katharine Hepburn and David Lean for more info as well as those great links posted by &quot;elaine&quot; on Jan. 22, 2003, above.

Hey Summertime! I think I have the lyrics you're asking about:

A romantic dream
Venice and the splendid sun
Wherever I may be,
I cannot forget them
Of this summer on the sea
not able to to die in me
The sweet kisses and the sighs
A romantic dream
Venice and the splendid sun
Of a thousand songs
I carry with me far away
This dormant lagoon I will remember
That speaks to my heart only of love,
always of love.

The movie Summertime took many many liberties with their shots. When she goes to her balcony and walks out to look at the view, that view is of The Guidecca Canal and the Redentory. Not a view obtainable from her pensione. Many other liberties also. Taking the vaporetto from the train station they went to wrong way and then all of a sudden she is at the Rialto Bridge, which is in the opposite direction. Great movie though and it does show Venice. Actually was surprised last week when we were in Venice that there is actually a store (mask store) at the location where she bought the goblet.

This link pretty much confirms that Lean did build a terrace set at Campo San Vito. Good work, Watson.

http://www.britmovie.co.uk/forums/lo...locations.html