Behind the scenes of a 1957 romantic comedy, a clash of acting styles erupted.
In short: The Prince and the Showgirl united Marilyn Monroe and Laurence Olivier, but their collaboration was famously fraught. While Monroe relied on the Method acting school, Olivier struggled with her unconventional process. This tension defined the production, turning a simple romantic film into a legendary study of clashing creative temperaments.
Released in 1957, The Prince and the Showgirl was an independent production spearheaded by Marilyn Monroe, who purchased the rights to Terence Rattigan’s stage play, The Sleeping Prince. Directed by and starring Laurence Olivier, the film follows a Carpathian Prince Regent who becomes infatuated with an American showgirl during the 1911 coronation of George V. Despite the romantic premise, the set was marked by significant friction between the two leads.
Accounts from the production suggest a profound disconnect. Olivier, a traditionalist, reportedly expressed deep frustration with Monroe’s reliance on her acting coach, Paula Strasberg, and her frequent tardiness. Costar Jean Kent noted that Monroe often struggled to hit her marks or repeat lines consistently, leading to an atmosphere of exhaustion for the crew. Olivier’s irritation was palpable; he allegedly referred to her with derogatory language and struggled to maintain his composure throughout the shoot, with some claiming the experience aged him by 15 years.
The conflict was exacerbated by the Method acting techniques Monroe employed, which became a point of mockery among some British colleagues. Actor Donald Sinden, working at Pinewood Studios, famously posted a satirical notice on his dressing room door lampooning the 'Method' school. Yet, despite the off-screen volatility, the film achieved a degree of critical appreciation for the performances of its leads. While it did not reach the box-office heights of Monroe’s earlier hits, it remained a profitable venture that highlighted the peculiar, often strained chemistry between two of cinema’s most iconic figures.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: The Prince and the Showgirl
- Also: Wikidata — The Prince and the Showgirl · CC0
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