The Swan

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Movie
German title The Swan
Original title The Swan
Country of production United States
original language English
Publishing year 1956
length 113 minutes
Age rating FSK 6
Rod
Director Charles Vidor
script John Dighton
production Dore Schary for MGM
music Bronislau caper
camera Joseph Ruttenberg / Robert Surtees
cut John D. Dunning
occupation

The Swan is an American film by Charles Vidor from 1956. The play of the same name by Franz Molnár served as the model .

action

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Albert intends to visit the tiny (fictional) principality of distant relatives. There, in anticipation of the state guest, one begins with hectic preparations because the daughter of the house, Princess Alexandra, is to be married to the Crown Prince . After his arrival and a long restful nap, Albert pursues his own interests exclusively and spends the time playing football and bass violin, among other things. On the other hand, he hardly gives Alexandra a look.

Annoyed by the prince's ignorance, the resolute mother, Princess Beatrix, develops a plan: at a ball in honor of His Highness, another man is supposed to court her daughter in order to provoke the prince's attention. The choice falls on the handsome fencing instructor Dr. Nicholas Agi, who is then invited to the festival by Alexandra, contrary to social conventions.

Little does Beatrix suspect that the young man has been secretly in love with Alexandra for a long time. Encouraged by her accommodating behavior, he confesses his feelings. Alexandra herself inflames with stormy love and is ready to run away with Nicholas. When he learns what real game was being played with him, he turns away deeply hurt and angry from Alexandra and also insults Prince Albert. Suddenly he discovers his affection for Alexandra, nothing stands in the way of a future together.

backgrounds

  • At The Swan is a remake of the silent film from 1925 with the same name Frances Howard and Adolphe Menjou , directed by Dimitri Buchowetzki . In 1930 another version was released under the title One Romantic Night .
  • The male lead was initially offered to Rex Harrison and Joseph Cotten before Alec Guinness finally agreed.
  • Grace Kelly had already played the same role on television (aired on CBS on June 9, 1950).
  • The exterior shots were taken in the US state of North Carolina around the Biltmore House in Asheville and on Lake Junaluska .
  • In order to stimulate business, MGM waited until the wedding date of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier on April 18, 1956, before releasing the film . While the American public - electrified by the social event - filled the box office vigorously, public interest in German-speaking countries was rather low .
  • The film was also launched in German cinemas under the distribution title Liebesromanze einer Princess .

Reviews

“The substance and atmosphere of the slightly wistful piece have largely been retained and covered with a slight irony; excellent performance complete the appealing overall impression. "

- Lexicon of International Films

“Grace Kelly loves, suffers, dances and cries always in white gloves, upright head, brittle Ganges. Neureich's dream of refinement, garnished with plush and lace, tassels and plempe. "

- Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung , 1957

"A witty and at the same time brilliantly told love story."

- Los Angeles Times

literature

  • Ferenc Molnár : The swan. A game in three acts (original title: A hattyu ). German stage version by Hans Jaray . [Not for sale stage manuscript.] Bloch, Berlin-Charlottenburg 1951, 202 p. (Currently also as Der Schwan. Comedy in three acts by the Verlag Bühne und Musik, Wiesbaden)

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