MovieChat Forums > The Prince and the Showgirl (1957) Discussion > Listen to the dialogue and you see a who...

Listen to the dialogue and you see a whole other movie

posted 8 years ago by PretoriaDZ
1 reply | jump to latest

This movie is actually pretty interesting if you just watch how Marina's character gets her ire up listening to the Prince deprecate America and decides to do something about it. She skillfully uses her charms to captivate the young king, the Regent, and the Queen Dowager. She brings about reconciliation between a father and his son and moves their fictional country towards a Western alliance. She has the wisdom to tell the Regent that although she does love him, it is not quite the time for them to move forward with their relationship but assures him that she will be there for him when he is no longer involved in the politics and his son has assumed his full duties.

Besides all this, I am highly entertained by Marilyn's great timing with props, such as the footstool sliding to sit at the Regent's knee or her little impromptu song and dance.

I think Marilyn chose this movie to try and get credit for having acting ability and brains. Unfortunately, it is hard to control what the media will focus on and they seem to think stories about Olivier's frustration with Marilyn and the size of her bust were more interesting to the public.

This positively infantile preoccupation with bosoms!Terry-Thomas about US 1963.Hasnt changed much!

[–] denis-38 8 years ago

Unlike the majority of her films, this one places her at the center of the action, everything that happens is because of what her character says or does, it is, in reality, her one true "leading lady" role. (Blondes" is the other movie in which all the plot twists revolve around her.) Had she not married Miller--or divorced him instantly after the infamous diary incident in London--she would have had more parts like this, and could have transitioned from being essentially an object. Of course, even here the camera cannot stay away from her backside, which is Olivier's fault, and Monroe's. She refused the first design of the one white dress, and chose what we see instead. The original gown was far more flattering, prettier and more within the period. What she wears in the movie looks very much like a 1950's evening gown. And since she was pregnant during some of the production, the fit and color emphasize her condition.

But she is given so much to do, and she does it all so well! And in some very long takes, which rather goes against the legend that she couldn't put two lines together. I think she is marvelous, and it's probably her best performance.