In the early 1950’s Laurence Oliver and Vivian Leigh
(his wife at the time) enjoyed a great success in London West End’s starring in
a new play by Terrence Rattigan called
'The Sleeping Prince'. It told
the story of a young actress who meets and ultimately captivates a Prince. Marilyn Monroe bought the film rights for herself
and set about producing the movie. She
chose Oliver as her director and co-producer and co–star simply because he was
the finest stage actor of that era, and she longed to be as good as him. He took the job because Miss Monroe was the most
famous film star in the world, and that was something that he was desperate to
be. (Poor Ms. Leigh didn’t stand a chance as when they started
shooting she was 43 years old which was pushing it somewhat to play a young
showgirl, but then again she had just won her Oscar for ‘Streetcar’!)
What seemed a good idea on paper turned out to be a nightmare
for all concerned the moment filming began.
Ms. Monroe a committed ‘Method’ actor was accompanied by Paula Strasberg
her acting coach who pandered to all of her pupil’s insecurities, and Olivier, who was the nearest thing to acting Royalty in the UK. took great umbrage at
Ms. Monroe making life hell for the entire cast and crew.
When she had arrived in London to begin making the
movie she was accompanied by her new husband, the playwright Arthur Miller, and
his presence on the Set helped somewhat, but the moment he suddenly had to go
back to the US, a desperate Oliver cajoled Colin Clark, the young 2nd
Assistant Director and a real greenhorn,
to take on the task of ensuring that Ms. Monroe got everything she wanted to make
her happy. It turns out that it included
having a wee weeklong fling with him, and it is his account of what happened
that is the basis for this movie.
There is very little plot besides this, but that
doesn’t matter too much because you do get the stunning Michelle Williams who
dominates the screen as she totally captures the whole essence and spirit of
the world’s most famous blonde bombshell.
It is a dazzling performance and is backed by a wonderful ensemble cast
of great British actors. Kenneth Branagh
plays Sir Laurence exactly as the great hammy actor that I recall; Eddie
Redmayne is the freckled face Clark; Julie Ormond is the beautiful Vivien
Leigh; young Emma Watson fresh out of the last Harry Potter movie is the
Wardrobe Girl who should have been Clark’s girlfriend; Toby Jones is the obnoxious Press Agent; Dougray Scott is the hapless Arthur Miller clearly out of his depth; and Dame Judy Dench is playing
another great acting Dame, Sybil Thorndike.
It’s Dame Sybil who is the kindest to Marilyn on the set despite the nuisance
that she is because she knows that whatever happens. the camera loves her and she
outshines them all. I couldn’t however
get my head around Dominic Cooper playing her American Manager who threw his
weight around everywhere yet looked like the young kid he really is.
It is a great period piece that the Brits excel at and
although the story is slight, the acting is not …. and is good enough to rack
up a few nominations in this award season.
Even if you are too young to remember the time, or are not a Brit (like me)
I still think you’ll love this piece of fun.
'The Prince and The Showgirl' was panned both critically
and commercially and just scrapped in a tiny profit, and the whole experience was
such an ordeal for both of the main players.
Strangely enough they both immediately went on to give the finest performances
of their careers: Marilyn did 'Some Like it Hot', and Oliver played Archie Rice
in John Osborne’s play 'The Entertainer' at London’ s Royal Court Theater.
★★★★★★★★★
★★★★★★★★★
