P is for Princess O’Rourke, winner of Best
Original Screenplay at the Academy Awards for Norman Krasna. The film was made
in 1942, and patriotic references to World War II abound. I was smiling though,
right from the start of this delightful black and white romantic comedy.
Princess Maria (Olivia de Havilland) is in New York City
with her uncle Holman (Charles Coburn). The family wants to marry her off to
someone with a title, but she is protesting these arrangements. Bored in the
confining hotel room, Holman suggests she fly to San Francisco for a vacation
of sorts. Not accustomed to flying, she is given a sleeping pill to take while
on the overnight flight.
Assured these are harmless, she proceeds to ask several crewmembers
for more sleeping pills, and is completely unaware that the plane has turned
around due to weather and headed back to NYC. She is still half asleep upon
landing, and her flight was booked under the alias of Mary Williams with no
address, so co-pilot Eddie O’Rourke (Robert Cummings) takes her to his
apartment and calls his friend Jean Campbell (Jane Wyman) to come and help her
into bed.
The following day Maria is not in a hurry to leave this
unexpected adventure, and meets Eddie’s friends, Jean and her pilot husband
Dave (Jack Carson). Both men are soon to join the air force. She spends a day
doing “normal” things with Jean, and going out for a night on the town with
them for dinner and dancing.
Eddie and the Princess are attracted to each other, and she
is enchanted by the story of how Jean and Dave met and their quick courtship of
just ten days before they wed. Things get complicated when Eddie asks her to
marry him.
When Holman hears from his secret service man who’s been
trailing Maria all day that Eddie is an upstanding citizen among other traits,
he encourages Maria to marry him.
At this point it gets a little far-fetched. They go to
Washington, D. C. to meet with President Roosevelt, but we only get to see his
little black dog. Can a marriage between European royalty and an American pilot
really work? Who will back out first? Or will they marry against all odds?
This was a cute little film. Olivia de Havilland is simply
radiant, and the handsome Robert Cummings makes a good romantic partner for her.
The war propaganda is a bit strong, but then it was 1943 as I mentioned.
Reviewers have commented that Roman Holiday, released ten years later, has a similar story, an
escaped royal mucking about with a commoner for a day and falling in love. There
are only a limited number of story types that we recycle over and over to tell
the same tale in a different way. I would say that Roman Holiday is the superior film of this genre. Have you seen Princess O’Rourke? Or Roman Holiday? What is your opinion of
the two films?
I saw Roman Holiday and didn't care for it. I wonder if I would like Princess O'Rourke more.
ReplyDeleteIf you didn't care for Roman Holiday, I don't think you'd like Princess O'Rourke. It's quite far fetched. Roman Holiday is more based in reality.
DeleteI have never heard of this film - it sounds delightfully cheerful.
ReplyDeleteTasha
Tasha's Thinkings - Movie Monsters
The Princess is very cheerful once she escapes her confining life!
DeleteHi Sue - I don't think I've seen these ... but sounds like a good couple of hours entertainment ... on a cold day in a warm room - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteYou may well enjoy both films. Particularly with a nice cup of tea!
DeleteI have seen both although I’ve seen Roman Holiday more recently. They are similar for sure so they are both enchanting. I would say Roman Holiday is the better of the two but I still love this film which is just an enchantment especially showcasing the presidential doggie at the end. I would love to speak with Olivia DeHavilland who is still going strong at almost 102.
ReplyDeleteOlivia is just luminous in this film, and I'm glad I watched it. I still like Roman Holiday more!
Delete