Roman Holiday

[poliphilo]

We're at the start of the New Elizabethan age. 1953. A young princess slips away from her minders and gets to have a day's worth of innocent fun in Rome. Her companion- a cynical American journalist- sets out intending to exploit her, then falls in love and buries his exclusive. Of course the romance has no future.

The Princess is Audrey Hepburn. The story goes that Greg Peck insisted on her getting equal star billing.  It was intended as his vehicle; it becomes hers. And not just because she's so lovely, but also because she's such a deft comedian.

A gentle, charming little movie- bitter-sweet- but with pertinent things to say about royalty and the media. There's a paparazzo in it- only the term hadn't been coined yet. The sequence in which the Princess takes off recklessly on a vespa with the photographer in pursuit is prescient.

How long before Hollywood orders up a remake?

Comments

[aellia.livejournal.com]

I always imagined myself on a Vespa when I saw that film,years ago.
I got my wish when I became a *Mod* :-)
x

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I had a friend who had a scooter and I got to ride pillion a few times. We skidded once going round a corner and it was one of the scariest moments of my life.

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

There is no way Hollywood could remake that movie. Like you said, that was 1953 and it was 'innocent' fun. One doubts that a princess that age would know anything at all about innocence, in this age.

Gregory Peck was a generous man. In the movie Cape Fear -the original, the REALLY scary one - he let Bob Mitchum walk off with the picture - with his blessing. Ms. Hepburn is far more lovely than Mr. Mitchum.

I'm not an Audrey Hepburn fan - sacrilege, I know - but Roman Holiday is a very sweet picture.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Of course I don't want them to remake it. It's just that they probably will. After all, they remade the equally charming and unrepeatable Sabrina.

I just bought a box set of Hepburn classics- ah bliss!

[halfmoon-mollie.livejournal.com]

Yes, they did remake Sabrina,and it suffered much in the translation, didn't it? What a charming movie that was.

My favorite Hepburn was Katherine.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen the new Sabrina. I don't imagine I ever will.

I admire Kate but I love Audrey.

[msjann65.livejournal.com]

I'll be over and I'll bring cookies! I love Audrey Hepburn, and "Roman Holiday" is one of my favorites. What else is in the package? "Sabrina", of course. Maybe "Breakfast at Tiffany's"?
I didn't realize that about Peck. What a nice guy!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Yes, we've got Sabrina and Breakfast at Tiffany's. The other two titles are Paris When It Sizzles and Funny Face

[mummm.livejournal.com]

Oh PLEASE no remakes. No one is better than Audrey! (or Peck)

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I totally agree. Audrey is irreplacable

[pondhopper.livejournal.com]

When I finally got to ride on a real Vespa I saw that scene in my mind.
I can't see how they'd remake that film. Who'd be even close to Audrey and Peck? Because that's who people would be looking for.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

When they remade Sabrina they replaced Audrey with Julia Ormond- whoever she is.

[sovay]

How long before Hollywood orders up a remake?

I pray never, but I am still afraid.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

The Day the Earth Stood Still? I can't believe anyone was crying out for that to be remade.