Princess O'Rourke
Encyclopedia
Princess O'Rourke is a 1943
romantic comedy film
. It was directed and written by Norman Krasna
and starring Olivia de Havilland
, Robert Cummings
and Charles Coburn
. Krasna won the Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay.
when their country is invaded by the Nazis in World War II
. Holman is anxious to have his niece get married and produce a male heir as soon as possible, but she is not interested in his choice, Count Peter de Candome (Curt Bois).
On an airplane flight, the princess takes too many sleeping pills. When the plane is forced to return to New York, Maria is fast asleep. The pilot, Eddie O'Rourke (Robert Cummings), takes charge of her while under the impression that she is just another European refugee. They become acquainted and fall in love.
Holman is apprised of these developments by a government agent who keeps Maria under surveillance. When he learns that O'Rourke's family seems to produce only large numbers of sons (Eddie is one of nine brothers and his father is one of eleven), he is intrigued. He also realizes that it would help cement American support if she married a citizen, and gives his approval.
After a brief official courtship, Maria and Eddie are invited to visit the White House as guests of the President (who is never seen, though his dog Fala plays a key role). During an evening session where Eddie is expected to sign over such things as his right to succession and deciding the education of his future children, he draws the line at giving up his American citizenship. After making a brief impassioned speech about being an American, he makes Maria choose. After much thought, Maria obeys her uncle and leaves the room. Taking no chances, Holman locks her in her bedroom.
After much crying however, Maria changes her mind. She writes a note and slips it through the door to Fala to deliver to his master. The President summons a Supreme Court justice in the middle of the night who marries Eddie and Maria. The pair sneak out of the White House to begin their life together. Eddie mistakenly tips a White House "butler" he bumps into who turns out to have been the President.
1943 in film
The year 1943 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 3 - 1st missing persons telecast * February 20 - American film studio executives agree to allow the Office of War Information to censor films....
romantic comedy film
Romantic comedy film
Romantic comedy films are films with light-hearted, humorous plotlines, centered on romantic ideals such as that true love is able to surmount most obstacles. One dictionary definition is "a funny movie, play, or television program about a love story that ends happily"...
. It was directed and written by Norman Krasna
Norman Krasna
Norman Krasna was an American screenwriter, playwright, and film director. He is best known for penning screwball comedies, melodrama, and early films noir. Krasna also directed three films during a forty-year career in Hollywood...
and starring Olivia de Havilland
Olivia de Havilland
Olivia Mary de Havilland is a British American film and stage actress. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1946 and 1949. She is the elder sister of actress Joan Fontaine. The sisters are among the last surviving leading ladies from Hollywood of the 1930s.-Early life:Olivia de Havilland...
, Robert Cummings
Robert Cummings
Charles Clarence Robert Orville Cummings , mostly known professionally as Robert Cummings but sometimes as Bob Cummings, was an American film and television actor....
and Charles Coburn
Charles Coburn
Charles Douville Coburn was an American film and theater actor.-Biography:Coburn was born in Macon, Georgia, the son of Scots-Irish Americans Emma Louise Sprigman and Moses Douville Coburn. Growing up in Savannah, he started out doing odd jobs at the local Savannah Theater, handing out programs,...
. Krasna won the Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay.
Plot
Princess Maria (Olivia De Havilland) and her uncle Holman (Charles Coburn) are forced into exile in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
when their country is invaded by the Nazis in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Holman is anxious to have his niece get married and produce a male heir as soon as possible, but she is not interested in his choice, Count Peter de Candome (Curt Bois).
On an airplane flight, the princess takes too many sleeping pills. When the plane is forced to return to New York, Maria is fast asleep. The pilot, Eddie O'Rourke (Robert Cummings), takes charge of her while under the impression that she is just another European refugee. They become acquainted and fall in love.
Holman is apprised of these developments by a government agent who keeps Maria under surveillance. When he learns that O'Rourke's family seems to produce only large numbers of sons (Eddie is one of nine brothers and his father is one of eleven), he is intrigued. He also realizes that it would help cement American support if she married a citizen, and gives his approval.
After a brief official courtship, Maria and Eddie are invited to visit the White House as guests of the President (who is never seen, though his dog Fala plays a key role). During an evening session where Eddie is expected to sign over such things as his right to succession and deciding the education of his future children, he draws the line at giving up his American citizenship. After making a brief impassioned speech about being an American, he makes Maria choose. After much thought, Maria obeys her uncle and leaves the room. Taking no chances, Holman locks her in her bedroom.
After much crying however, Maria changes her mind. She writes a note and slips it through the door to Fala to deliver to his master. The President summons a Supreme Court justice in the middle of the night who marries Eddie and Maria. The pair sneak out of the White House to begin their life together. Eddie mistakenly tips a White House "butler" he bumps into who turns out to have been the President.
Cast
- Olivia de HavillandOlivia de HavillandOlivia Mary de Havilland is a British American film and stage actress. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1946 and 1949. She is the elder sister of actress Joan Fontaine. The sisters are among the last surviving leading ladies from Hollywood of the 1930s.-Early life:Olivia de Havilland...
as Princess Maria - Robert CummingsRobert CummingsCharles Clarence Robert Orville Cummings , mostly known professionally as Robert Cummings but sometimes as Bob Cummings, was an American film and television actor....
as Eddie O'Rourke - Charles CoburnCharles CoburnCharles Douville Coburn was an American film and theater actor.-Biography:Coburn was born in Macon, Georgia, the son of Scots-Irish Americans Emma Louise Sprigman and Moses Douville Coburn. Growing up in Savannah, he started out doing odd jobs at the local Savannah Theater, handing out programs,...
as Holman - Jack CarsonJack CarsonJohn Elmer "Jack" Carson was a Canadian-born U.S.-based film actor.Jack Carson was one of the most popular character actors during the 'golden age of Hollywood', with a film career spanning the 1930s, '40s and '50s...
as Dave Campbell, Eddie's friend and co-pilot - Jane WymanJane WymanJane Wyman was an American singer, dancer, and character actress of film and television. She began her film career in the 1930s, and was a prolific performer for two decades...
as Jean Campbell - Harry Davenport as Supreme Court Judge
- Gladys CooperGladys CooperDame Gladys Constance Cooper, DBE was an English actress whose career spanned seven decades on stage, in films and on television....
as Miss Haskell - Minor WatsonMinor WatsonMinor Watson was a prominent character actor. He appeared in 111 movies made between 1913 and 1956. His credits included, Boys Town , Yankee Doodle Dandy , Kings Row , Guadalcanal Diary , Bewitched , The Virginian , and The Jackie Robinson Story .He is buried in Alton Cemetery...
as Mr. Washburn, the understanding State Department official who tutors Eddie - Nan WynnNan WynnNan Wynn was an American big-band singer and actress from Wheeling, West Virginia.She recorded with well-known orchestras, including those of Teddy Wilson, Freddie Rich, Raymond Scott and Hal Kemp.-Films:...
as Nightclub Singer - Curt Bois as Count Peter de Candome
- Ray Walker as G-Man