The Prince and the Showgirl - wikipedia The Prince and the Showgirl The Prince and the Showgirl Movie poster by Bill Gold Directed by Laurence Olivier Produced by Laurence Olivier Screenplay by Terence Rattigan Based on The Sleeping Prince 1953 play by Terence Rattigan Starring Marilyn Monroe Laurence Olivier Music by Richard Addinsell Cinematography Jack Cardiff Edited by Jack Harris Production company Marilyn Monroe Productions Distributed by Warner Bros. Release date 13 June 1957 ( 1957 - 06 - 13 ) ( United States ) Running time 115 minutes Country United Kingdom United States Language English Box office $4.3 million The Prince and the Showgirl ( originally called The Sleeping Prince ) is a 1957 British - American romantic comedy film starring Marilyn Monroe and Laurence Olivier. Olivier also served as director and producer. The screenplay by Terence Rattigan was based on his 1953 stage play The Sleeping Prince. It was filmed in London. Contents 1 Plot 2 Cast 3 Production 4 Reception 4.1 Awards and nominations 5 Associated works 6 See also 7 References 8 External links Plot The film is set in London in June 1911. George V will be crowned king on 22 June and in the preceding days many important dignitaries arrive. Among those arriving are the 16 - year - old King Nicholas VIII of Carpathia, with his Prince Regent father, Charles ( Laurence Olivier ), a secondary Prince of Hungary and widower of the Queen of Carpathia. The British government realises that keeping Balkan country Carpathia in the Triple Entente is critical during the rising tensions in Europe. They find it necessary to pamper the royals during their stay in London, and thus civil servant Northbrook ( Richard Wattis ), is detached to their service. Northbrook decides to take the Prince Regent out to the musical performance The Coconut Girl. During the intermission the Prince Regent is taken backstage to meet the cast. He is not particularly interested in engaging with the male actors but extremely interested in the physical charms of Elsie Marina ( Marilyn Monroe ), one of the performers, and he sends a formal invitation for her to meet him at the Carpathian embassy for supper. Elsie arrives at the embassy and is soon joined by the Prince Regent, a stiff and pompous man. She expects a large party but quickly realises the Prince 's true intentions -- to seduce her over a private supper. She is persuaded not to leave early by Northbrook, who promises to provide an excuse for her to escape after supper. The Prince Regent turns his back on her during the supper, taking phone calls and addressing matters of state. He then makes a clumsy pass at her, which she immediately rebuffs. She pointedly explains how inept he is and that she had hoped the Prince was going to sway her with romance, passion and `` gypsy violins ''. The Prince changes his style and tactics, complete with a violinist. The two eventually kiss and Elsie admits she may be falling in love, rebuffing Northbrook 's promised feint to help her leave the embassy. Elsie then passes out from the many drinks she consumed before, during and after her semi-solitary supper. The Prince places her in an adjoining bedroom to stay the night. The following day, Elsie overhears a conversation concerning the young Nicolas ' plotting with the German embassy to overthrow his father. Promising not to tell, Elsie then meets the Dowager Queen ( Sybil Thorndike ), the Prince 's mother - in - law, who decides Elsie should join them for the coronation in place of her sick lady - in - waiting. The ceremony passes and Elsie refuses to tell the Prince Regent details of the treasonous plot. Nicholas then invites her to the Coronation Ball, where she persuades Nicholas to draw up a contract in which he confesses his and the Germans ' intent, but only if the Prince agrees to a general election. The Prince is impressed and realises that he has fallen in love with Elsie. The morning after the Coronation Ball, Elsie irons out the differences between father and son. Her honesty and sincerity have inspired the Prince to finally show sincere love to his son. The next day, the Carpathians must leave to return home. The Prince Regent had planned to have Elsie join them. In eighteen months ' time, his regency will be over and he will be a free citizen. She reminds him that that is also the length of her music - hall contract. They both realise that much can happen in eighteen months and say goodbye. The ending is ambiguous, left up to the viewer to decide if they will meet again. Cast Marilyn Monroe as Elsie Marina Laurence Olivier as Charles, the Prince Regent of Carpathia Sybil Thorndike as the Dowager Queen Richard Wattis as Northbrook Jeremy Spenser as King Nicolas Paul Hardwick as Major Domo Esmond Knight as Colonel Hoffman Rosamund Greenwood as Maud Aubrey Dexter as The Ambassador Maxine Audley as Lady Sunningdale Harold Goodwin as Call Boy Jean Kent as Maisie Springfield Daphne Anderson as Fanny Gillian Owen as Maggie Vera Day as Betty Margot Lister as Lottie Charles Victor as Theatre Manager David Horne as The Foreign Office Gladys Henson as Dresser Production Marilyn Monroe and Laurence Olivier at a press conference announcing their partnership The film was produced and directed by Laurence Olivier. It was shot in Technicolor at Pinewood Studios. Marilyn Monroe had formed her own company - Marilyn Monroe Productions, through which she purchased the rights to Terence Rattigan 's The Sleeping Prince. Olivier and Vivien Leigh had played the lead roles in the original London production of the play. Production was marred with difficulties between Monroe and her co-stars and the production team. According to Jean Kent, Monroe regularly failed to arrive on set on time and `` appeared dirty and dishevelled ''. She caused her co-star Richard Wattis, who had a lot of scenes with her, to `` take to drink because takes had to be done so many times '' and had an uneasy relationship with the normally quiet and placid cinematographer Jack Cardiff, who said that Olivier referred to her as a `` bitch ''. `` She never arrived on time, never said a line the same way twice, seemed completely unable to hit her marks on the set and could n't and would n't do anything at all without consulting her acting coach, Paula Strasberg. '' Olivier also reportedly showed a strong dislike of Monroe and her acting coach ; he ordered Strasberg off the set at one point and Monroe refused to continue shooting until she was restored. The relationship between Olivier and Monroe worsened when Olivier said `` try and be sexy '' to her and she never forgave him for it. Kent states that the difficulties with filming and Monroe caused Olivier `` to age 15 years. '' Donald Sinden, then a contract star for the Rank Organisation at Pinewood Studios, had a permanent dressing room four doors from Monroe 's during the filming, although working on different movies. He said `` She was still suffering from the effects of The Method school of acting, so one day I had the props department make up a notice that I fixed to my door saying : `` Office of the Nazak ( Kazan, backwards ) Academy. You too can be inaudible. New egos superimposed. Motivations immobilised. Imaginary stone - kicking eradicated. Um 's & Er 's rendered obsolete. Motto : ' Though ' Tis Method Yet There 's Madness In It '. '' I waited inside and presently heard the usual footsteps of her and her entourage. They paused outside and from the entire group I only heard one laugh -- that of Monroe. The door burst open and in she came, slamming the door in the faces of her livid retainers. From that moment on, whenever the poor girl could not face the problems of her hybrid existence -- which was frequently -- she popped in for a natter and a giggle. Of course as a sex symbol she was stunning, but sadly, she must be one of the silliest women I have ever met. '' Reception The Prince and the Showgirl originally received mixed reviews from critics, although it grew over time to become more positive. It was said that the pairing of Monroe and Olivier together in a movie was the `` most diverting piece of casting in many a year, '' but most other reviews were not as positive. Terence Rattigan 's screenplay in itself was not well - received ; many critics agreed that it was not a good representation of the stage play, The Sleeping Prince, on which his story had been based. A review in The New York Times stated that the film lacked originality and that Rattigan 's characterizations were `` too limiting '' and `` dull '' to allow Monroe and Olivier to be showcased to their fullest potential. Many critics agreed that the two main characters were `` essentially dull '', and there was considerable criticism for the film 's long running time and `` slow - moving '' plot. On the general basis, Monroe and Olivier did receive particular praise for their performances ; however, not all reviews were kind to their work. One review stated that `` Sir Laurence is kept pretty much a stuffed - shirt, wearing a monocle and speaking in Teutonic accents that are unpleasant and hard to understand. And Miss Monroe mainly has to giggle, wiggle, breathe deeply and flirt. She does not make the showgirl a person, simply another of her pretty oddities. '' Other critics noted Monroe and Olivier 's lack of on - screen chemistry, while other reviews praised it. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a `` fresh '' rating of 86 %. The Prince and the Showgirl was not a major box office success, faring poorly in comparison to Monroe 's earlier releases, such as The Seven Year Itch and Bus Stop. Particularly popular in England, it failed to find the same success in America but managed to earn a substantial profit. Awards and nominations Date of ceremony Award Recipients and nominees Result December 1957 National Board of Review Awards Best Supporting Actress Sybil Thorndike Won 1958 British Academy Film Awards Best British Actor Laurence Olivier Nominated Best British Screenplay Terence Rattigan Nominated Best British Film The Prince and the Showgirl Nominated Best Film from any Source The Prince and the Showgirl Nominated Best Foreign Actress Marilyn Monroe Nominated July 29, 1958 David di Donatello Awards Best Foreign Actress Marilyn Monroe Won September 10, 1958 Laurel Awards Top Female Comedy Performance Marilyn Monroe ( 4th place ) Nominated February 26, 1959 Crystal Star Awards Best Foreign Actress Marilyn Monroe Won Associated works The 2011 film My Week with Marilyn depicts the week in which Monroe spent being escorted around London by personal assistant Colin Clark, during the filming of The Prince and the Showgirl. The movie is largely based upon two books by Clark recounting his experiences during the production : My Week with Marilyn ( 2000 ) and The Prince, the Showgirl, and Me : Six Months on the Set With Marilyn and Olivier ( 1996 ). Both books and the film depict Monroe striking up a friendship and semi-romantic relationship with Clark for a brief time during production. See also List of American films of 1957 References ^ Jump up to : http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=52332 Jump up ^ `` Top Grosses of 1957 '', Variety, 8 January 1958 : 30 Jump up ^ Bosley Crowther ( 1957 ). `` The Prince and the Showgirl ''. The New York Times. ^ Jump up to : `` ' Grubby ' Marilyn Monroe made Laurence Olivier ' age 15 years ' during filming ''. The Daily Telegraph. 20 May 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2013. Jump up ^ A Touch Of The Memoirs Donald Sinden. Hodder & Stoughton 1982. pages 238 - 9 Jump up ^ Pat Ryan ( 11 November 2011 ). `` The Prince, the Showgirl, and the Stray Strap ''. The New York Times. Jump up ^ `` National Board of Review, USA : Awards for 1957 ''. IMDb. Retrieved 15 November 2014. Jump up ^ `` National Board of Review : 1957 Award Winners ''. nationalboardofreview.org. Retrieved 15 November 2014. Jump up ^ `` BAFTA Awards Search : 1958 ''. bafta.org. Retrieved 15 November 2014. Jump up ^ `` David di Donatello Awards : Awards for 1958 ''. IMDb. Retrieved 15 November 2014. Jump up ^ `` Laurel Awards : Awards for 1958 ''. IMDb. Retrieved 23 November 2014. Jump up ^ `` Photos : 1959 Crystal Star Award ''. thisismarilyn.com. Retrieved 15 November 2014. Jump up ^ Steven Kurutz ( 16 November 2011 ). `` At Home With Marilyn in England ''. The New York Times. External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to The Prince and the Showgirl ( film ). The Prince and the Showgirl on IMDb The Prince and the Showgirl at AllMovie The Prince and the Showgirl at the TCM Movie Database The Prince and the Showgirl at Rotten Tomatoes The Prince and the Showgirl at the American Film Institute Catalog Works by Terence Rattigan Plays First Episode ( 1933 ) A Tale of Two Cities ( 1935 ) French Without Tears ( 1936 ) After the Dance ( 1939 ) Follow My Leader ( 1940 ) Grey Farm ( 1940 ) Flare Path ( 1942 ) While the Sun Shines ( 1943 ) Love In Idleness ( 1944 ) The Winslow Boy ( 1946 ) The Browning Version ( 1948 ) Harlequinade ( 1948 ) Adventure Story ( 1949 ) Who Is Sylvia ? ( 1950 ) The Deep Blue Sea ( 1952 ) The Sleeping Prince ( 1953 ) Separate Tables ( 1954 ) Variations on a Theme ( 1958 ) Ross ( 1960 ) Man and Boy ( 1963 ) A Bequest to the Nation ( 1970 ) In Praise of Love ( 1973 ) Before Dawn ( 1973 ) All on Her Own ( 1974 ) Cause Célèbre ( 1975 / 77 ) Films and TV The Belles of St. Clements ( 1936 ) Gypsy ( 1937 ) French Without Tears ( 1940 ) Quiet Wedding ( 1941 ) The Day Will Dawn ( 1942 ) Uncensored ( 1942 ) English Without Tears ( 1944 ) The Way to the Stars ( 1945 ) While the Sun Shines ( 1947 ) Brighton Rock ( 1947 ) Bond Street ( 1948 ) The Winslow Boy ( 1948 ) The Browning Version ( 1951 ) The Sound Barrier ( 1952 ) The Final Test ( 1953 ) The Man Who Loved Redheads ( 1955 ) The Deep Blue Sea ( 1955 ) The Prince and the Showgirl ( 1957 ) Separate Tables ( 1958 ) The V.I.P.s ( movie ) ( 1963 ) The Yellow Rolls - Royce ( 1964 ) Nelson ( 1966 ) Goodbye, Mr. Chips ( 1969 ) Bequest to the Nation ( 1973 ) The Browning Version ( 1994 ) The Winslow Boy ( 1999 ) Related works Joie de Vivre ( 1960 ) The Girl Who Came to Supper ( 1963 ) Laurence Olivier Films as director Henry V ( 1944 ) Hamlet ( 1948 ) Richard III ( 1955 ) The Prince and the Showgirl ( 1957 ) Three Sisters ( 1970 ) Hindle Wakes ( 1976 ) Productions Laurence Olivier Productions ( L.O.P. ) The Beggar 's Opera ( 1953 ) Macbeth ( cancelled Olivier film ) ( 1950s ) Laurence Olivier Presents ( 1976 -- 78 ) Publications Confessions of an Actor : An Autobiography ( 1982 ) On Acting ( 1986 ) Work Theatre Filmography Television Awards and nominations Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Prince_and_the_Showgirl&oldid=801965333 '' Categories : 1957 films English - language films 1950s romantic comedy films American romantic comedy films American films British romantic comedy films Films about royalty Films based on plays Films directed by Laurence Olivier Films set in the 1910s Films set in 1911 Films set in London Films shot in London Marilyn Monroe Films shot at Pinewood Studios Warner Bros. films Works by Terence Rattigan Screenplays by Terence Rattigan Film scores by Richard Addinsell Hidden categories : EngvarB from September 2013 Use dmy dates from September 2013 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Català Deutsch Español Esperanto فارسی Français Bahasa Indonesia Italiano Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Polski Português Русский Српски / srpski Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски Suomi Svenska Türkçe Edit links This page was last edited on 23 September 2017, at 02 : 30. 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Question: where was the prince and the showgirl filmed
Answer: London