Attention U.S. TCM Subscribers: Someone said I don't recommend enough "chick flicks". Well here's one of the best! What better way for true film lovers to celebrate cinema's vast diversity, after watching 'Psycho', than to indulge in the light-hearted, fairy-tale world of a Princess' Roman Holiday? (More here including Friday's showtime information throughout the U.S.): http://thecinemacafe.com/the-cinema-treasure-hunter/2017/6/1/now-listen-to-me#Roman-Holiday
Sources differ on some aspects of the film's production. One source says that William Wyler resisted the studio's suggestion to shoot most of the picture on the lot and insisted on filming in Rome. Another says that Paramount was only too happy to film in Italy because they had funds that were blocked there that couldn't otherwise be used. One source says that because of Paramount's budget restrictions, Wyler was forced to shoot in black-and-white to save money. Another says that the decision was made to shoot in black-and-white so as not to have the romantic locations upstage the characters. One source says that Cary Grant turned down the lead role because he felt he was too old to play the romantic lead opposite the young Audrey Hepburn. Another says that it wasn't until after Wyler had secured Gregory Peck for the male lead that he even began searching for a screen unknown to play the princess.
According to Paramount records, the lengthy production cost $2,092,487 and was about $700,000 over budget. It grossed around $5 million in the U.S.
