The Prince And The Showgirl (1957)

Set in 1911 London during the coronation of King George V, an arrogant Prince (Laurence Olivier) of a small Balkan country attempts to seduce an American showgirl (Marilyn Monroe) but she proves not to be the naive pushover he expected. Based on the play THE SLEEPING PRINCE by Terence Rattigan (who adapts his play for the screen) and directed by Laurence Olivier (RICHARD III). It's a pretty static piece of cinema which doesn't bother to hide its theatrical roots but the highly anticipated acting match between the world's biggest movie star (Monroe at her most luscious) and the world's greatest actor (Olivier) is a draw. Not surprisingly Olivier is perfect but Monroe matches him every step of the way with the added benefit that the camera (in this case, under the direction of Jack Cardiff) adores her. Their different acting styles work to the movie's advantage. The film drags a bit (the coronation parade goes on forever with no payoff). Apparently, it wasn't the easiest shoot (Olivier was exasperated with Monroe's behavior) but you'd never know it from the result. With Sybil Thorndike, Richard Wattis, Jeremy Spenser and Jean Kent.