CHARLES VIDOR
Bil’s rating (out of 5): BBBB.
USA, 1956. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Screenplay by John Dighton, based on the play A Hattyu by Ferenc Molnar. Cinematography by Joseph Ruttenberg, Robert Surtees. Produced by Dore Schary. Music by Bronislau Kaper. Production Design by Randall Duell, Cedric Gibbons. Costume Design by Helen Rose. Film Editing by John D. Dunning.
This mediocre period film is mainly remembered for being Grace Kelly‘s last role before leaving Hollywood to become princess of Monaco. It conveniently feeds into her impending royal life considering that she plays a princess, and by all accounts this was an intentional move on the studio’s part to cash in on her upcoming marriage. The plot’s romantic triangle has Kelly being encouraged by her mother (Jessie Royce Landis) to snag the affections of a visiting prince (Alec Guinness) in order to secure a royal position. To do so, Kelly encourages the attentions of the palace tutor (Louis Jourdan) in the hopes of making Guinness jealous, but by doing this actually encourages Jourdan to feel genuine affection for her. The plot’s combination of comedy and poignancy is uneven, but the performances are wonderful and the production is very beautiful.
