Review of Roman Holiday (1953) by Charlie S — 26 Jun 2011

Roman Holiday is the film that brought Audrey Hepburn to prominence, and the world movie audience went weak at the knees (and whom I think is one of the most beautiful women I've ever laid eyes on). Audrey Hepburn is one of those actresses who symbolize everything glamorous and good about Hollywood. With natural grace, sparkling eyes, a contagious smile, and almost pixie-like charm, she captivated audiences and continues to do so today having achieved that rare status of cultural icon.The endlessly charming Hepburn had her first starring role in this sweet romance, playing a European princess on an official tour through Rome. Frustrated by her lack of connection to the real world, she slips away from her protective handlers and goes on a spree, aided by a tough-guy news reporter (Gregory Peck). Director William Wyler, more at home with such heavy-going, Oscar-winning classics as The Best Years of Our Lives and Ben- Hur, doesn't always keep the champagne bubbles afloat, and the Peck role would have fit Cary Grant like a silk glove (However, he turned downed the role because he felt the focus was too much on the princess). But the film is great fun, the location shooting is irresistible, and Hepburn embodies an image of chic style that would rule for the rest of the fifties. No coincidence: she won an Oscar, and so did veteran costume designer Edith Head.

But in 1953, when she made her film debut in William Wyler's Roman Holiday, she was familiar only to Broadway audiences. The part of a burned-out princess who bolts for a day of plebian fun almost went to Liz Taylor or Jean Simmons, we learn in a making-of feature. But both of the marquee actresses were busy with other projects. Frank Capra was originally slated to direct this feel-good film, but bailed out when he learned that the screenplay by Ian McLellan Hunter was really penned by blacklisted writer Dalton Trumbo. Enter the gutsy Wyler, who went ahead with the film despite the fact that the Korean conflict was still going on (it would end in July, 1953), anti-Communist feelings were running strong, and Trumbo was among the most defiant of the Hollywood Ten accused of having Communist ties.

Timing is everything. The movie-going public was eager for escapist fare, and this romantic comedy about a princess who falls for an American newspaperman (Gregory Peck) was mirrored in the headlines of the day. Britain's Princess Margaret was creating a stir over her much-publicized relationship with commoner Peter Townsend, and a riveted public wondered: Would love triumph, with the princess giving up her royal status and marrying him, or would her sense of duty and obligation win out?