The Prince and the Showgirl
| The Prince and the Showgirl | |
|---|---|
 Movie poster by Bill Gold |
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| Directed by | Laurence Olivier |
| Produced by | Laurence Olivier Marilyn Monroe |
| Written by | Terence Rattigan |
| Starring | Marilyn Monroe Laurence Olivier |
| Music by | Richard Addinsell |
| Cinematography | Jack Cardiff |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
| Release date(s) | June 13, 1957 |
| Running time | 115 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
The Prince and the Showgirl is a 1957 American film produced at Pinewood Studios starring Marilyn Monroe and co-starring Laurence Olivier who also served as director and producer.
The film was released on 13 June 1957. It was written by Terence Rattigan who based the script on his play The Sleeping Prince.
The story of the making of the film is the basis for the 2011 film My Week with Marilyn.
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[edit] Plot
The film is set in London in June 1911. George V will be crowned king on 22 June and in the preceding days many of the most important dignitaries arrive. Among those arriving are King Nicholas of Carpathia and the regent, Prince Charles.
The British government realises Carpathia is critical to the tension in Europe and to gain favour with them would be wise. They find it necessary to pamper the royals during their stay in London, and thus civil servant Northbrook is detached to their service. Northbrook decides to take the Prince Regent out to the musical performance The Coconut Girl. During the interval the Prince Regent is taken backstage to meet the cast. He is particularly interested in Elsie Marina, one of the performers, and invites her to the embassy for supper.
Elsie arrives at the embassy and is soon joined by the Prince Regent. She expects a party but quickly realises the Prince's true intentions; she is persuaded not to leave by Northbrook, who promises to provide an excuse for her later. While the Prince and Elsie are trying to have a quiet supper there are many interruptions. Later on, the Prince makes a pass at Elsie which she, giggling with the effect of spirits they have been drinking, refuses. She explains how disappointed she was that he isn't more romantic and the Prince latches onto this, changing his tactics. The two eventually kiss and Elsie admits she may be falling in love, but she passes out from the drink. The Prince places her in an adjoining bedroom to stay the night.
The following day, Elsie overhears a conversation concerning the young Nicolas plotting to overthrow his father. Promising not to tell, Elsie then meets the Queen Mother, who decides she should join them for the coronation in place of her oversized lady-in-waiting. The ceremony passes and afterwards Elsie refuses to tell the Prince Regent details of the treasonous plot, but during the Coronation Ball (to which she was invited by Nicholas) she manages to persuade Nicholas to draw up a contract in which he confesses his and the Germans' intent, but only if the Prince agrees to a general election. The Prince Regent is impressed and realizes that he has fallen in love with Elsie. The morning after the Coronation Ball, Elsie manages to iron out the differences between father and son.
The next day the Carpathians must leave to return home. Elsie is invited by the Prince Regent to come with them, but she stays to fulfill her stage obligations and to allow him to fulfill his political obligations. The Prince Regent suggests that she join them in Carpathia after the end of her contract. The film ends with a possible meeting in 18 months' time, when the Prince Regent is free of his obligations and she is free of hers.
[edit] Cast
- Marilyn Monroe as Elsie Marina. Elsie is a young showgirl who is noticed by the Prince Regent, and asked around to the Carpathian embassy for supper. This was one of the few parts that Monroe played outside 20th Century Fox.
- Laurence Olivier as Charles, the Prince Regent of Carpathia. He is a stickler for formality and, despite his wealth and position, is very lonely. He invites Elsie Marina to the Embassy for supper.
- Sybil Thorndike as The Queen Dowager. The Queen is quite deaf and does not always understand the events around her. She has some very witty conversations with Elsie. Thorndike was a veteran British actress of the stage.
- Richard Wattis as Northbrook. Northbrook is the unflappable British civil servant, assigned to the Prince Regent of Carpathia as an aide. Wattis was a British character actor often cast in the part of meek, long-suffering civil servants and officials.
- Jeremy Spenser as King Nicolas of Carpathia, though Carpathia is governed by his father, Prince Charles, as Regent.
- Paul Hardwick as Major Domo
- Esmond Knight as Colonel Hoffman
- Rosamond Greenwood as Maud
- Aubrey Dexter as The Ambassador
- Maxine Audley as Lady Sunningdale
- Harold Goodwin as Call Boy
- Jean Kent as Maisie Springfield
- Daphne Anderson as Fanny
- Gillian Owen as Maggie
- Vera Day as Betty
- Margot Lister as Lottie
- Charles Victor as Theatre Manager
- David Horne as The Foreign Office
- Gladys Henson as Dresser
[edit] Reception
The film proved less than impressive, both critically and financially. It recorded a profit, but many critics panned it for being slow-moving.
[edit] Awards
The movie was nominated for five BAFTA Awards:
- Best British Actor - Laurence Olivier
- Best British Film
- Best British Screenplay - Terence Rattigan
- Best Film from any Source
- Best Foreign Actress - Marilyn Monroe
Crystal Star Award (French Film Academy)
- Best Foreign Actress - Marilyn Monroe
David Di Donatello (Italian Film Academy)
- Best Foreign Actress - Marilyn Monroe
National Board of Review Awards:
- Best Supporting Actress - Sybil Thorndike
[edit] Associated works
The 2011 film My Week with Marilyn depicts the cast, crew, and the making of The Prince and the Showgirl. My Week with Marilyn is centered around the third assistant director of the film, Colin Clark, and his friendship with Marilyn. The movie is largely based upon a book by Clark of the same title (My Week with Marilyn). The book and movie depict Marilyn striking up a friendship and semi-romantic relationship with Clark, for a brief time during the making of the movie. According to Clark, the original title of the 1957 movie was The Sleeping Prince, but was changed before release to The Prince and the Showgirl, so that there would be a reference to Marilyn's character in the title. [1]
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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