Roman Holiday (1953)

by Tristi Pinkston | More from this Blogger

Princess Anne (Audrey Hepburn) has never been out by herself. Confined to her palace and her schedule, she wishes to be a regular girl, able to go for a walk and get an ice cream cone. While on tour in Rome, the pressure reaches its boiling point and she becomes upset, tired of the whole royal routine. The doctor comes and gives her a sedative, thinking that's the end of that. But as soon as everyone's back is turned, Anne slips out of her room and into the streets of Rome, determined to find out for herself just what's on the other side of those palace walls.

Meanwhile, American reporter Joe Bradley (Gregory Peck)is on the brink of losing his job. He needs a great story fast. He happens upon the Princess Anne, her sedative now in effect, snoozing on a bench and decides to take her home, sober her up (so he thinks) and see if she really is who he thinks she is. He puts her to bed and sleeps on the couch, wondering if he has the makings of a top notch story.

Morning comes and he decides that she is the genuine article. He contacts his photographer friend Irving, (Eddie Albert) promises him a cut, and asks him to follow them around all day - he's going to show Anne the sights and he wants the whole thing documented. He's planning to write a fabulous newspaper piece about it, but what he doesn't plan is to find a soft spot in his heart for the pretty princess.

She finds her way back to the palace eventually, knowing that she must resume her duties, but she takes with her wonderful memories of a day spent with Joe, eating ice cream, having her hair cut, riding on a scooter - everything that ordinary girls take for granted. But her life is not to be ordinary, and she can accept that now, after her day in the sun. Joe and Irving have their story now, complete with pictures, and they have their editor champing at the bit, but . . . well, you'll just have to see this delightful and charming movie for yourself to learn the ending.

A couple tidbits of trivia from this movie:

1. This was Audrey's first starring role.

2. There is one scene where Joe challenges Anne to put her hand into a statue called The Mouth of Truth, located near the church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin. A legend exists that if you are a liar and you place your hand inside the mouth, your hand will be bitten off. While filming this scene, Gregory Peck decided to play a little trick on Audrey. He put his hand in the mouth and then pulled it back with a yell - he had tucked his hand inside his sleeve so it looked like his hand was gone. Audrey shrieked and then laughed, and the whole thing was caught on film. This moment of adlibbing was added to the film.

3. Gregory Peck met his sweetheart in Italy while filming this movie and he spent the rest of his life with her. This after going to Italy in the first place to escape a depressing divorce.

If you're looking for a sweet story of friendship and fun in a beautiful country (the entire movie was filmed on location) this is the one for you.

Related Blogs:

Kiss Me Kate

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

Audrey Hepburn: A More Than Fair and Beautiful Lady

Learn more about Tristi Pinkston

I am a stay-at-home mom, author of eight published books, a freelance editor, and the mother of four incredible children. I enjoy scrapbooking, watching good movies, and taking naps.

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