The Prince and the Showgirl (1957)

Tied for the best movie I have ever seen

Absolutely amazing

Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

In this decidedly over-exaggerated, 1957 Romantic-Comedy (Ha! Ha! So funny I forgot to laugh) - "American Vulgarity Personified" (that's Monroe's character) meets and is swept off her feet by "Utterly Pretentious Political Refinement" (that's Olivier's character).And what inevitably takes place between this truly tiresome, mismatched twosome has got to be one of the most sickening displays of contrived, slap-dash, screwball shenanigans ever recorded on film.IMO - Not only did Olivier prove (as a director) that he couldn't effectively direct this particular genre of film - But (as an actor) he also proved that he was totally clueless (as a man) about how to really give Monroe (the ultimate, 1950s sex symbol) an honest-to-goodness kiss like he really meant it. It was all just quick, delicate pecks on the lips without ever once demonstrating any intense, sexual intimacy, whatsoever.Anyway - Speaking about the creamy-white, skin-tight dress that Monroe wore throughout most of the story - Man-oh-man! - Did that glitzy outfit ever emphasize the monumental proportions of her ample ass, big-time. Yep. It sure did.

Totally wonderful Monroe-Olivier vehicle proving that Olivier could do comedy besides Shakespeare and Monroe showed many of the characteristics she would display with Tony Curtis two years later in "Some Like it Hot."As the queen dowager, or mother-in-law, Sybil Thorndike is a scene stealer in every sense of the word.There is some political intrigue in this dandy film and club actress Monroe is able to cope with it and even advise Olivier.The set decorations are marvelous really depicting 1911 England among the royalty.I enjoyed the way Monroe made a mess of addressing the various British royalty and her knowledge of German sure came in handy.The regent, Olivier, has a well-polished but rebellious son who challenges his father, despite the fact that within 18 months, he shall become king. It's the old story of the father not showing love for his son which Monroe is adept at fixing.How Monroe stays on the scene by being a lady-in-waiting to Thorndike, who takes a like to her, and subsequently attending the coronation of George V1 and attending the coronation ball is a wonder in itself.The couple come far from their chance meeting at the place Monroe is acting in, to a disastrous night of folly together, to love and the ultimate ending of that they were still living in two separate worlds.

I finally watched The Prince and the Showgirl in its entirety, albeit on television -- having been intrigued by the well-crafted, acted and directed My Week with Marilyn. This "clash" of "titans" -- mega-stars Laurence Olivier and Marilyn Monroe -- is revealing of "understanding media" (Cf. Marshall McLuhan). Monroe's luminous presence outshines Olivier's famed talent and experience (primarily from the stage). The screen requires other qualities, and no one will dispute the general consensus that Marilyn Monroe was the embodiment of those qualities, whoever she may have been when the cameras were not rolling, or however difficult she may have been to work with. (Billy Wilder explained her magic best in speaking of Some Like It Hot.) Unfortunately, Olivier was directing as well as acting, and he comes off poorly as both director and actor -- enough said. Nor is the material worthy of either -- without them, a pile of cardboard and claptrap -- with a nod it must be said to Sybil Thorndyke for valor. The Prince and the Showgirl remains a curiosity -- a glimpse at the greats when they were floating jetsam in a shipwreck. I much prefer to remember them through My Week with Marilyn, a moving tale, well told.

Laurence Olivier is famous for being a great actor. Marilyn Monroe is famous for being Marilyn Monroe. But Monroe had some acting chops too and she shows them off to good effect in The Prince and the Showgirl. While Olivier turns in an oddly wooden, unnatural performance Monroe shines. OK, maybe playing a sexy showgirl wasn't a great stretch for her. But she does so well with the role, a role which required her to be more than just a sex object. Her character, Elsie, has to show some smarts too as she keeps up with the film's political machinations. Of course the political stuff is just a sideshow. The main attraction here is watching the showgirl sweep the stuffy prince off his feet without even really trying.The story unfolds in London in 1911 with dignitaries having arrived for the royal coronation. Olivier plays the Prince Regent of a fictional Eastern European nation. He rules until his son comes of age and takes the throne. His son may not want to wait, plotting with the Germans to overthrow dear old Dad. The British government is anxious to curry favor with the father, who sides with them rather than the Germans. While he is in London the prince's every whim will be catered to, he gets whatever he wants. And what he wants, after a quick backstage theater visit, is a one night stand with Elsie. She is invited to the embassy for what she believes to be a party but she's the only one attending this "party" with the prince. She's been brought there for one reason. But Elsie will have none of it, rebuffing the prince's clumsy pass. The night goes on, she starts to fall for him a bit...but then the prince's plan to get her drunk backfires as she passes out. When she wakes in the morning all heck will be breaking loose.The following day, coronation day, is a whirlwind of activity. Elsie finds herself caught up in things way beyond the realm of a simple showgirl. But she more than holds her own. Can she repair the relationship between father and son, perhaps preventing a revolution, maybe even stopping a world war? And, more to the point since this is meant to be a romantic film, can she get the prince to fall in love with her? The movie never really sizzles. Monroe is more than game but Olivier comes across as a bit of a cold fish. The chemistry between the pair never entirely convinces. The story moves rather slowly. At times the story doesn't really move at all and it never quite manages to hit the emotional heights. But somehow the movie still manages to be reasonably entertaining. By sheer force of personality Monroe makes the film work. She charms you, makes you love her and, when it's called for, she definitely makes you laugh. Monroe spices up what otherwise could have been a very drab movie. She may not be royalty but the showgirl is undoubtedly the star which allows this movie to shine.