Most actors and actresses have a series of “lesser” films–or at least roles–before their breakout picture. Here are a few who stood out from the very first time on screen.
Click on the film’s title to see a full review on my classic film blog, Classic for a Reason.
Roman Holiday — Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck
As the beleaguered princess who escapes to find romance with a down-and-out reporter, Audrey Hepburn immediately captivated audiences and set herself up as the style icon she remained for the rest of her life. While plans for the opening credits initially had only Gregory Peck listed as the film’s star, it was at his insistence that producers added Hepburn. She went on to win the Oscar for Best Actress, and followed up this performance with another classic romance, Sabrina.
The Strange Love of Martha Ivers — Kirk Douglas
Barbara Stanwyck…
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Classic for a Reason 
Yes, Hepburn is amazing in Roman Holiday!
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Audrey Hepburn really was perfect in Roman Holiday. For 1952 hollywood (the year it was filmed), she must have been an incredible shock, being nothing at all like what they’d ever seen before. She was so uniquely charming, genuine, elegant, gamine, delicate and beautiful.
I feel we were then further drawn in and captivated by her big bright eyes, her plumpish nose and her glorious mesmerizing smile. To be honest, Hayley Mills had quite a similar captivating quality as child-teen/young woman, with big expressive bright eyes, cute plumpy nose and sweetly glorious smile. And she herself was truly unique.
I had read that hollywood was seriously planning a sequel to which Gregory and Audrey had both agreed. But it never got off the ground. As much as fans of the romance wanted a happily-ever-after for the lovers, it would have been very difficult for the studio to put out such a story in the 1950s or early 1960s.
But damn it, they just should have done it !!! Thank goodness for their other wonderful films (sadly not together).
I absolutely love Gregory in Twelve O’Clock High and To Kill A Mockingbird, with which Roman Holiday make the triumvarate of his screen excellence. In fact Twelve O’Clock High is one of the very best movies in my view about WW2, its truly a unique film, and his performance is astounding.
He’s also pretty good in Spellbound, Gentleman Agreement, On the Beach, Gunfighter, Paradine Case and Guns of Navarone.
Because I’ve always found his masculine beauty so very appealing — okay I would have married him had I been 40–50 years older — I have watched a few others of his films over the years, but I would only rate them as okay/fair: Purple Rain (depressing), Captain Horatio Hornblower (watchable due to Greg being so darn dashingly handsome in his naval uniform), and Designing Woman (silly movie).
Please let me know if there’s a Gregory film that can not be missed.
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