The Music
Why is the music from "Avanti" so familiar? Was it original, or was it from an Italian movie?
Sybillea
The song "Senza Fine" has been used in many films since "Avanti!" Did you happen to see "Ghost Ship?" That's what the singer was singing just before the winch broke toward the begining of the movie.
share"Senza Fine" was also sung by Connie Francis in the original 1965 version of "The Flight of the Phoenix". You can download an mp3 file of this lovely version for free at http://theroadshowversion.wordpress.com/2008/02/24/mp3-of-the-week-senza-fine-by-connie-francis-from-the-flight-of-the-phoenix-1965/
The main musical theme, that is played repeatedly in the movie, is very evocative of (and may be adapted from) the old classic ballad "You Belong to Me". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/You_Belong_to_Me_(1952_song)
The Italian version is called "Un' ora sola ti vorrei". You can see a YouTube video of Ornella Vanoni singing it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hr1IPFdCeW8
I've been searching for this soundtrack for years, as it is one of my favorite movies. Unfortunately, I don't believe it exists. The closest thing to a soundtrack that was released was a two-song promotional disc: http://www.soundtrackcollector.com/catalog/soundtrackdetail.php?movieid=22850
The complete soundtrack is currently available on CD in a pressing of 1000 copies from Quartet Records (www.quartetrecords.com). Go to Screen Archives Entertainment and buy a copy before it disappears. It's in glorious stereo and is perfectly delightful. The composer, Carlo Rustichelli, was asked by Wilder to score the film using popular Italian songs which is why the music sounds familiar. He not only arranged the songs but used them in underscore.
shareThe music in this film is friggin' awesome. I love it.
A very kind person uploaded it to YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaOPdbOuuKE&feature=related
Marilyn Monroe: I don't want to be rich. I just want to be wonderful.