Copyright 27 December 1961 by 20th Century-Fox Film Corporation. New York opening at neighborhood theaters: 14 November 1962 (sic). U.S. release: June 1962. U.K. release: 1 December 1962. Original U.S. running time of 105 minutes cut to 92 minutes for New York release. Cut to 8,123 feet (90 minutes) for U.K.
SYNOPSIS: When in 1896 a young Greek shepherd boy, Spiridon Loues (Trax Colton), learns that Athens will shortly hold the first modern revival of the Olympic Games, he is fired with a desire to run in the Marathon, a classic 26-mile test of speed and endurance. With his faithful sheepdog, Sophocles, the eager -- if untrained -- athlete goes to the ancient city, but once there receives disheartening news: to enter the Marathon he must have qualified, and the trials were held three months before. Despondent, he is about to leave Athens when he meets a girl from his home town, Christina Gratsos (Maria Xenia), the personal maid of the country's most glamorous actress Eleni Costa (Jayne Mansfield).
COMMENT: After reaching her own peak of critical and commercial success in "Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?" (1957), Jayne Mansfield's career went into a steady decline. She certainly didn't enhance the box- office prospects of this picture, though — whether by accident or design is unclear — she does give a delightfully tongue-in-cheek performance, way outclassing the rest of the players, none of whom seem to be in on the joke. Except of course for Sophocles, a far more personable and winning dog than the much- vaunted Lassies of this world.
Although the film's advertising may not lead parents to think so, "It Happened In Athens" is quite suitable for children. With an eye to eliminating as much of Maria Xenia's role as possible, some judicious re-cutting would make the film even more of an entertainment treat. I would also take out the entire initial meeting with Colton, Xenia and Mansfield. Also the scene with Colton and the bibulous Minardos.
The movie has been produced on an admirably grand scale. The fact that it's set in period adds to the excitement. We may have reservations about Marton's expertise as a director during the dialogue scenes, but once he starts on the Marathon, the suspense is almost too thrillingly acute.
SYNOPSIS: When in 1896 a young Greek shepherd boy, Spiridon Loues (Trax Colton), learns that Athens will shortly hold the first modern revival of the Olympic Games, he is fired with a desire to run in the Marathon, a classic 26-mile test of speed and endurance. With his faithful sheepdog, Sophocles, the eager -- if untrained -- athlete goes to the ancient city, but once there receives disheartening news: to enter the Marathon he must have qualified, and the trials were held three months before. Despondent, he is about to leave Athens when he meets a girl from his home town, Christina Gratsos (Maria Xenia), the personal maid of the country's most glamorous actress Eleni Costa (Jayne Mansfield).
COMMENT: After reaching her own peak of critical and commercial success in "Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?" (1957), Jayne Mansfield's career went into a steady decline. She certainly didn't enhance the box- office prospects of this picture, though — whether by accident or design is unclear — she does give a delightfully tongue-in-cheek performance, way outclassing the rest of the players, none of whom seem to be in on the joke. Except of course for Sophocles, a far more personable and winning dog than the much- vaunted Lassies of this world.
Although the film's advertising may not lead parents to think so, "It Happened In Athens" is quite suitable for children. With an eye to eliminating as much of Maria Xenia's role as possible, some judicious re-cutting would make the film even more of an entertainment treat. I would also take out the entire initial meeting with Colton, Xenia and Mansfield. Also the scene with Colton and the bibulous Minardos.
The movie has been produced on an admirably grand scale. The fact that it's set in period adds to the excitement. We may have reservations about Marton's expertise as a director during the dialogue scenes, but once he starts on the Marathon, the suspense is almost too thrillingly acute.