The Prince and the Showgirl (1957)

An American showgirl becomes entangled in political intrigue when the Prince Regent of a foreign country attempts to seduce her.

Director:

Laurence Olivier

Writers:

Terence Rattigan (by), Terence Rattigan (screenplay)

Stars:

Marilyn Monroe, Laurence Olivier, Richard Wattis

Nominated for 5 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Richard Wattis	...	Northbrook
David Horne	...	The Foreign Office
Jeremy Spenser	...	King Nicolas
Sybil Thorndike	...	The Queen Dowager
Laurence Olivier	...	The Regent
Harold Goodwin	...	Call Boy
Gladys Henson	...	Dresser
Marilyn Monroe	...	Elsie
Jean Kent	...	Maisie Springfield
Charles Victor	...	Theatre Manager
Daphne Anderson	...	Fanny
Vera Day	...	Betty
Gillian Owen	...	Maggie
Esmond Knight	...	Hoffman
Paul Hardwick	...	Major Domo

Storyline

June, 1911. Among the dignitaries from the Balkan State of Carpathia in London for the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary is the Regent, His Serene Highness the Grand Duke Charles. The London foreign office places great importance on Carpathia because of an unstable geopolitical situation with Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany set to overthrow its monarchy government if allowed. The Regent, a Prince originally from Hungary, and the most recent and now deceased Queen married for convenience. As such, the Regent has spent time with a series of lady friends while on his travels in his somewhat "free" state. In meeting one of those London women, music hall actress Maisie Springfield, and the company of her current production "The Coconut Girl", the Regent instead has his eyes set on one of the minor players in the show, American actress Elsie Marina. When seemingly simpleminded Elsie receives a party invitation from the Regent for that evening, Elsie is not so simpleminded to understand ...

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Plot Keywords:

prince regent | showgirl | london england | forbidden love | prince | 

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Taglines:

Some countries have a medal for Everything.

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English German French

Release Date:

13 June 1957 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Sleeping Prince

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Bros., Marilyn Monroe Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The first movie from Marilyn Monroe's own production company.

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Goofs

The initial titles showing a pan across London, is clearly made from the south bank of the Thames. Whilst it correctly shows the monument to the Great Fire of London to the west of the Tower of London, it then shows Houses of Parliament way to the east of these. Parliament is actually way to the west of both in Westminster.

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Quotes

Elsie Marina: [while dancing] I don't know why you object. General elections are good things. They're democratic!
Charles, the Prince Regent: You're very pretty, my dear, but you would be wise to think twice before entering the political arena. You may find the role of Madame de Pompadour may be a little beyond your range. And your range is so charming as it is. Do you reverse?
Elsie Marina: Just try me!

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Connections

Referenced in Cinema: Sir Laurence Olivier (1970)

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Soundtracks

Naval March
Traditional
Arranged by Cecil H. Jaeger

User Reviews

Monroe out-acts Olivier with ease

Just saw this again the other day after many years, and was impressed by Monroe's effortless upstaging of Olivier, who gives the most hammy, artificial performance of his career, unsurprising as he is directing himself.

If you want to see what star quality means, just watch their scenes together. He is desperately trying to ACT and eclipse her. All she has to do is just BE there in shot.

Whenever they are on screen, it is always her that one's eyes are drawn to and she gives such a natural performance throughout it almost seems as if she isn't acting at all. She also copes with some extremely tricky dialogue, giving the lie to her inability to remember lines. These are often done in a single take - one scene in particular, early in the film as she is leaving the house before Olivier arrives home, talking rapidly to Richard Wattis as they walk down the long staircase, is outstanding.

So, the film is worthwhile in showing Monroe as the great star she was - and revealing Olivier to only be capable of mere caricature (that fake German accent is so awful) without a strong director to rein him in.