From the family gatherings in the kitchen to the kooky nicknames and Drama Queen reactions to just about everything, "Moonstruck" hits the Italian-American personality out of the park. On the 30th anniversary of the film that brought Cher, Olympia Dukakis and screenwriter John Patrick Shanley Academy Awards and producer/director Norman Jewison nominations, I - a full-blooded Italian from both sides of the family - take a look at the Italian-inspired details that make it a classic.

Dean Martin • "Moonstruck" opens with the quintessential Italian song ("That's Amore") sung by the quintessential Italian crooner (Dean Martin). Any song that pays tribute to pasta fazool and falling in love, AND has the lyrics "tippy-tippy-tay" is OK by me.