You wouldn’t think it would be that difficult to choose a film for the Royals to view for the Annual Royal Film Performance, yet, for the third year in a row, the choice of film was met with controversy and, in 1952, even embarrassment.
There were several reasons, which are spelled out in the following newspaper articles:
No matter their thoughts on the choice of film, the stars and Royals in attendance were all smiles for the camera.
Here are 11 minutes of silent footage
The event took place on October 27th at the Empire Cinema in Leicester Square, which was decorated with flowers specially flown in from 22 different countries. It was the first to take place after the death of King George VI and the first Elizabeth attended as Queen Elizabeth II. The "West End was chocked with film fans" two hours before the show began and police were called in to keep things in control. For once the newspapers don't mention rain. Here's a photo of the crowds.
There were 60 stars in attendance, including the usual British stars - the Oliviers, the Mills, Margaret Lockwood (six-minute mark), Richard Todd, Petula Clark, Googie Withers, etc. - as well as several stars from Hollywood, including Yvonne de Carlo, Gene Kelly, Rock Hudson ("That was the most nervous I ever was!"), Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Evelyn Keyes, Kirk Douglas, Peggy Cummins, and Charlie Chaplin. Chaplin seems to have been the favorite of the evening.
For her first appearance at the glittering event as monarch, Queen Elizabeth II needed to stand out. Norman Hartnell dressed her in a striking black and white satin halter neck gown with spiky lapels. Copies appeared in stores within the next two days.
Princess Margaret wore black tulle and a statement necklace. Prince Philip was also in attendance. The Queen Mother however, for the first time since it's inception, did not.
Not everyone had a bad time, however. For Yvonne de Carlo it was a memorable evening:
An event of a lifetime lay ahead of me in London. I went to Paris to have an appropriate dress designed. It was of peacock-blue taffeta, studded with pea-sized rhinestones. In a few days I would be attending a royal film performance and be presented to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.
I felt like a little girl awaiting Christmas, and, as with Christmas, the big night finally arrived. A huge crowd had gathered outside the Empire Theatre in Leicester Square to see the arrival of the royal party and the celebrities. I invited Denis, the Earl of Lanesborough, to be my escort, which I thought was a good insurance policy against protocol boo-boos, and having him at my side gave me confidence I might otherwise have lacked.
With great fanfare, the Queen and her entourage, including Princess Margaret, entered the theater. A little later, we all lined up for presentation in the reception lounge. Her Majesty looked far more elegant than I would imagine possible. She moved from person to person, stopping for a brief visit with each. She seemed to know exactly what was pertinent to say to each of the celebrities. When she stepped before me, I curtsied perfectly, just as I had rehearsed at least a thousand times. She asked if I enjoyed working on London. "Oh, yes indeed, Your Majesty. I'm enjoying every minute of my stay here." I think she asked if I intended to stay a while, and I'm sure whatever I said wad brief and to the point. I was warned that I should volunteer nothing, just answer the questions quickly and courteously. That was the way it was.
I was really impressed with her great dignity and spirit of authority. When Denis asked me what I thought of it, I said, "She's wonderful. She behaved just like a queen."
While still backstage, I became friendly with Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and asked if he would be kind enough to introduce me to Sir Laurence Olivier and his lovely wife. The introduction was made, and I asked the Oliviers to sign autographs for me. What a thrill! They were my all-time favorite screen couple. After this, we all watched the movie, Mario Lanza's new release, and a stage show, and then on to the Savoy Hotel for a lavish supper party. It was a night to remember. I do (171).
De Carlo, Yvone. Yvonne: An Autobiography. St. Martin's Press, NY. 1987.Fleming, Kate. Celia Johnson: A Biography. Orion,London. 1993.Hudson, Rock & Davidson, Sarah. Rock Hudson: His Story. Morrow, NY. 1986.
The "n" on my laptop only works if I strike it hard, so if there's one missing you'll know why ;)
Because You're Mine is no world better, but I would hardly call it "tasteless." Perhaps not as distinguished a picture as one might choose for such an event.
ReplyDeleteDo you sometimes get the feeling that critics look for controversy?
Love hearing from Yvone de Carlo!
They were probably just miffed they weren’t consulted in the choosing ;)
DeleteI love when a star devotes an entire page on their experience!