<P> Across Europe, "Papa Don't Preach" was successful, topping the Eurochart Hot 100 for 11 weeks . It reached the top position of the singles charts in Belgium, Ireland, Italy, and Norway, and peaked inside the top five in Austria, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland . </P> <P> For the music video, Madonna sported a complete image makeover . She changed the heavy jewelry and make - up, and adopted the gamine look, which is notably applied to describe the style and appearance that Shirley MacLaine and Audrey Hepburn used during the 1950s . In the video Madonna played a tomboy, dressed in jeans, a black leather jacket, and a slogan T - shirt with the caption "Italians do it better". The video alternated between tomboy shots and those of a sexier Madonna with a more toned and muscular body, cropped platinum blonde hair, and figure - revealing clothing, consisting of a 1960s - style black bustier top and capri pants . </P> <P> The video was directed by James Foley, who worked with Madonna in her music video for "Live to Tell", produced by David Naylor and Sharon Oreck, and Michael Ballhaus was in charge of the photography . The video was shot on location over three days in Staten Island, New York and Manhattan . Staten Island was chosen on Foley's suggestion as it was where he grew up: "We talked about wanting to tap into a working - class environment, because by that time she had done' Material Girl' and' Like a Virgin' and other stuff that was very glamorous and stylized . She wanted to do something a bit more grounded and' drama' ." Actor Alex McArthur was signed to play Madonna's boyfriend and the father of her child in the video . Madonna had spotted McArthur in a small role as a naive youth in the 1985 film Desert Hearts, and she thought he was a natural to play her mechanic boyfriend . "I was out in the garage working on my Harley," said McArthur, "I answered the phone and a voice said,' Hi, this is Madonna . I would like you to be in my next video ."' </P> <P> The music video starts with shots of the New York skyline, the Staten Island Ferry, and character close - ups . Madonna is seen walking along a lane . Then it shows her thinking about her father, played by Danny Aiello, and how much he loves her . She then sees her boyfriend, played by actor Alex McArthur, coming along . The images are juxtaposed with shots of Madonna dancing and singing in a small, darkened studio . Madonna then moves away from her friends, who warn her from her boyfriend . She and her boyfriend spend a romantic evening together on a barge where they reflect upon their lives after watching an elderly couple . Then Madonna finds out that she is pregnant and after much hesitation tells her father . They have a few hours of tension between them . Her father eventually accepts the pregnancy, and the final scene is a reconciliatory embrace between father and daughter . </P>

Who starred in papa don't preach video