PRINCESS O’ROURKE

US, 1943, 94 minutes, Black and white.
Olivia de Havilland., Robert Cummings, Jack Carson, Charles Coburn, Jane Wyman, Gladys Cooper, Minor Watson.
Directed by Norman Krasna.

Princess Rourke won the Oscar for best original screenplay by writer-director, Norman Krasna (Bachelor Mother, The Devil and Miss Jones, Dear Wife).

This is a war effort film, a pleasant comedy, something of a fantasy, a fairytale – and, as mentioned in the film, a reverse Cinderella story.

Olivia de Havilland is very charming as the European Princess, a refugee from war-torn Europe. She is visiting the United States in a goodwill visit, with links to the White House (which actually allows some of its rooms for actual filming as well as President Roosevelt’s own dog, Fala, cutely appearing).

By a slightly contrived piece of drama, the Princess is in contact with a pilot who is about to be called up for the war. They spend some time together, he not knowing the reality. Part of her day is helping in the war effort, where she discovers she has no abilities at all and becomes the dummy for everyone to practice their first aid on. Ultimately, the truth comes out and the pilot is astounded, wanting to play Prince consort, but unwilling to give up his American citizenship. With some romantic comedy to touches, all is ultimately well in a secret wedding at the White House – suggesting that the President was on guard so that the wedding could happen.

Robert Cummings is agreeable as the pilot and has good support from Jack Carson and Jane Wyman as husband and wife. Charles Coburn enjoys himself as the uncle of the Princess, preoccupied with making good deals, especially with a pilot with so many boys in his family. Gladys Cooper appears only momentarily, Minor Watson is the state department representative.


1. A pleasant wartime propaganda film? Reflecting the US in the 1940s? And relationship to Europe in wartime?

2. Black-and-white photography, Washington, hotels, homes, basement for the war effort? Aviation, planes and flight? The musical score?

3. The title, the focus on Maria, royalty fleeing from war-torn Europe? Refuge in England? The connections with America? Maria and her being welcomed at the White House? The Secret Service and following her?

4. Maria, Olivia to Havilland and her screen presence, age and experience, in the hotel, under the guidance of her uncle, protocols? Social outings? Her loneliness? The prospect of San Francisco, the flight, her apprehensions, taking so many sleeping tablets, difficult to wake up, the fog and the plane turning back? Eddie and his having to look after her, walking the streets, her French? Taking her to Dave and Jean and their helping?

5. At the hotel, her uncle, his blustering manner, phone calls to the King? The secretary and her help? The visit of the count and his idiosyncrasies and facial tics?

6. Eddie, friendship with Dave, flights, being called up for the air force? Jean and her concern Western Mark?

7. Maria, back at the hotel, her uncle’s concern? Her slipping out, meeting Eddie, his offer of the tour of the city, grants to? The Secret Service following, Eddie and his hitting the man? To Dave and Jean, Maria wanting to help with the war effort, going to the basement, the women and the interviews, their skills, military ranks, Maria’s interview, unable to do anything? Eddie and Dave listening, going to play handball, the truck coming on to the court? Their having to fill the bags with sand? Maria and her being used as the dummy for the women to practice first aid?

8. Kitty, falling in love with Maria, Eddie, falling in love with Maria? The proposal? The effect on her, her wanting to marry Eddie?

9. Returning to the hotel, her uncle and his attitude towards the marriage, her thinking it impossible, her uncle and his shrewdness, American relationships, royalty with an ordinary citizen, morale-boosting? The official from the State Department, gathering all the information about Eddie? And the number of boys in his family?

10. Maria and her phone calls, the on and off relationship? His being called to duty, the variety of phone calls in different places?

11. Maria wanting to bring Eddie to the hotel? Jean and her buying the ice-box and finding out where Maria’s cheque was paid for the flight? Appearances, Eddie dismayed, ready to forgive?

12. The amusement in Eddie discovering the truth about Maria, the uncle and his talk, the visit of Jean and Dave?

13. Going to the White House, the protocols, the documents to sign, concessions? Speaking to Maria’s father? Eddie not wanting to give up his American citizenship? Maria and her meek response? Her being upset in her room, locked in? Eddie going out, the policeman on guard, his having to go in again because he had nowhere to be? And President Roosevelt’s dog?

14. The plan in the middle of the night, the State Department officer, the elderly judge, the witnesses, the hasty marriage? And Eddie and Maria escaping – to their future?