Cahn and Styne were asked to write the song to fit the movie, but were unable to either see the film or read the script. They completed the song in an hour and had produced a demonstration record with Frank Sinatra by the following day. The song was subsequently used in the film soundtrack, but in the rush,20th Century-Fox neglected to sign a contract with the composers, allowing them to claim complete rights over the royalties.[2] The Sinatrarecording topped theUK Singles Chart for three weeks in September and October that year.[1]
Aparody song using the same melody was produced as the main theme for the 1967Hong Kong romantic comedy filmTeddy Boy in the Gutter, with lyrics contributed by Leung Shan-ren humorously referencing the film's title (protagonist Ah Fei literally falls into a gutter). The theme, consequently including the melody, is well-remembered in Hong Kong for itsabsurdist humor alongside the film.[3][4]
Sergio Franchi sang the title song in another 20th Century Fox film made as the pilot for an unsold television series. This version was broadcast in 1970.[10]
It was parodied inThe Goon Show to the same tune, with the words "Three Goons in a fountain, which one will the fountain drown?"[11]
Steve Martin starts to sing "Three Coins in a Fountain" when attempting a sing-along in the 1987 film,Planes, Trains and Automobiles, but nobody else wants to sing the song.
You may hear '"Three Coins in the Fountain" performed byAnnunzio Mantovani and his orchestra in 1957
