Roman Holiday

"At midnight, I'll turn into a pumpkin and drive away in my glass slipper."

"And that will be the end of the fairy tale."

Princess Ann (Hepburn) is traveling through Europe on a diplomatic tour.  Her schedule is tightly monitored each day and by the time she reaches Rome, she is exhausted.  A ball is held in her honor at the Roman embassy and that evening she is given a sedative to help her sleep.  Instead, she escapes from her guardians and takes to the streets of Rome.  She falls asleep on a park bench and is discovered by newspaper reporter Joe Bradley (Peck).  Bradley ends up taking her back to his apartment.

The next day he discovers her true identity and gets his editor to agree to a price for his exclusive story.  He proposes a day of fun with Ann, who gives the name "Anya Smith."  Then he convinces news photographer Irving Radovich (Albert) to join him for a day and take pictures.



This film was Audrey Hepburn's big break.  She previously appeared in a few films in Europe before making the transition to American films.  She had small roles in American films prior to this, but this was the film that made her a name.  It also helped to soften Gregory Peck's image, marking this as his first comedy film.  The role was written for Cary Grant, who turned it down.

The screenplay was written by Dalton Trumbo and John Dighton.  However, Trumbo was blacklisted and unable to work in Hollywood, so the credit was given to his friend Ian McLellan Hunter.  In the 1990s, his contributions were officially recognized.  The film was nominated for 10 Academy Awards, with 3 wins including Best Actress, Best Costume Design (for Edith Head), and Best Story (Trumbo received his award posthumously).

Director William Wyler insisted that the film be shot on location in Italy.  Due to that choice, it was necessary for the filmmakers to film in black and white.  The ball at the beginning of the film featured actual European nobility, while the newsmen at the end of the film were also real newsmen.

It is a classic romantic comedy that still delights today.

Roman Holiday (1953) 118 minutes
Director: William Wyler
Starring: Gregory Peck as Joe Bradley
Audrey Hepburn as Princess Ann
Eddie Albert as Irving Radovich
Hartley Power as Mr. Hennessy
Harcourt Williams as Ambassador
Margaret Rawlings as Countess Vereberg