I wanted to dislike this movie but couldn't. It is a silly but sweet little film that's worth a look.
Marilyn Monroe was a gorgeous lady in this film. However, I have never understood all the attention her films have received, as she generally played a parody of herself. This isn't an insult--I just can't see taking most of her films very seriously. Here in "The Prince and the Showgirl", my opinion about her isn't about to change--though she is given a bit more to do with this image than usual. She is very pretty but also plays a lady nothing like you really would have found back in 1911. She plays, in essence herself--of at least the image of herself. Ditsy...but sweet and possessing a certain wisdom.
As for the Prince (Laurence Olivier), he did a very nice imitation of a combination of Kaiser Wilhelm II and Bela Lugosi with a migraine. It was certainly NOT subtle and much of the time he seemed really irritated (perhaps this was somehow related to Olivier's real feelings about acting with Ms. Monroe--see IMDb's trivia for more on this). All I know is that he seemed to overplay it a bit--despite his reputation as one of the great actors of his age. As a result, Monroe's performance, while familiar, seems more interesting to watch and overwhelms his acting.
The film is set during the coronation of George V of Britain--early in the 20th century. Of all the delegations of royalty from throughout Europe who have come to London, this one involves the Prince-Regent of Carpathia. He meets the members of a local acting troop on a night on the town and not surprisingly he is smitten with Monroe's 'charms'. So, he invites her to dinner and tries to seduce her, though the seemingly earthy and scatter-brained Monroe isn't as naive as she looks and she resists his smooth advances. I like the scene where he's pitching woo--and she's talking about his need to use a different hair product! It's all kind of cute and a bit slight. And so, even while she is tipsy, she is able to hold her own...until she passes out and is carried from the room.
The next morning, Marilyn is pulled into several odd plots involving the Carpathian royal families. First, she overhears the young King plotting to repose his father, the Prince-Regent. Then, the rather flighty mother-in-law of the Prince-Regent decides she likes Marilyn and makes her a lady in waiting---and takes her to the coronation! Things certainly are getting complicated for her. And, I must add, I really liked the mother-in-law--she was a great kooky character and had some very clever lines. In fact, she was my favorite person in the film. Finally, she starts to make suggestions to various members of the family--and leaves this screwed up family a lot healthier. In the process, the stodgy Prince-Regent eventually falls for her.
This is sort of a reworking of a traditional fairy tale--though in the end, the lady simply chooses to walk away--a smart ending but one that undoubtedly bothered the romantics out there that wanted to see royalty wed a commoner--which never could have happened. Clever, cute, though not especially deep or believable. It's a nice fantasy film that worked well for Monroe. I just couldn't help, however, seeing Olivier as, well, as bit silly. Worth seeing.
By the way, as in many of Monroe's films she appears to have been sewn into her dresses. This was standard practice in many of her films to heighten her curves and sex appeal...and there is no way she could slip in and out of these dresses even with WD-40!
Marilyn Monroe was a gorgeous lady in this film. However, I have never understood all the attention her films have received, as she generally played a parody of herself. This isn't an insult--I just can't see taking most of her films very seriously. Here in "The Prince and the Showgirl", my opinion about her isn't about to change--though she is given a bit more to do with this image than usual. She is very pretty but also plays a lady nothing like you really would have found back in 1911. She plays, in essence herself--of at least the image of herself. Ditsy...but sweet and possessing a certain wisdom.
As for the Prince (Laurence Olivier), he did a very nice imitation of a combination of Kaiser Wilhelm II and Bela Lugosi with a migraine. It was certainly NOT subtle and much of the time he seemed really irritated (perhaps this was somehow related to Olivier's real feelings about acting with Ms. Monroe--see IMDb's trivia for more on this). All I know is that he seemed to overplay it a bit--despite his reputation as one of the great actors of his age. As a result, Monroe's performance, while familiar, seems more interesting to watch and overwhelms his acting.
The film is set during the coronation of George V of Britain--early in the 20th century. Of all the delegations of royalty from throughout Europe who have come to London, this one involves the Prince-Regent of Carpathia. He meets the members of a local acting troop on a night on the town and not surprisingly he is smitten with Monroe's 'charms'. So, he invites her to dinner and tries to seduce her, though the seemingly earthy and scatter-brained Monroe isn't as naive as she looks and she resists his smooth advances. I like the scene where he's pitching woo--and she's talking about his need to use a different hair product! It's all kind of cute and a bit slight. And so, even while she is tipsy, she is able to hold her own...until she passes out and is carried from the room.
The next morning, Marilyn is pulled into several odd plots involving the Carpathian royal families. First, she overhears the young King plotting to repose his father, the Prince-Regent. Then, the rather flighty mother-in-law of the Prince-Regent decides she likes Marilyn and makes her a lady in waiting---and takes her to the coronation! Things certainly are getting complicated for her. And, I must add, I really liked the mother-in-law--she was a great kooky character and had some very clever lines. In fact, she was my favorite person in the film. Finally, she starts to make suggestions to various members of the family--and leaves this screwed up family a lot healthier. In the process, the stodgy Prince-Regent eventually falls for her.
This is sort of a reworking of a traditional fairy tale--though in the end, the lady simply chooses to walk away--a smart ending but one that undoubtedly bothered the romantics out there that wanted to see royalty wed a commoner--which never could have happened. Clever, cute, though not especially deep or believable. It's a nice fantasy film that worked well for Monroe. I just couldn't help, however, seeing Olivier as, well, as bit silly. Worth seeing.
By the way, as in many of Monroe's films she appears to have been sewn into her dresses. This was standard practice in many of her films to heighten her curves and sex appeal...and there is no way she could slip in and out of these dresses even with WD-40!