7 Secrets of the Film 'Roman Holiday': How the Classic with Audrey Hepburn Was Shot

In 1953, a film was released that changed Hollywood forever — 'Roman Holiday' with debut actress Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck. Beneath the apparent lightness of this romantic comedy lies a multitude of amazing stories: from political intrigues of McCarthyism times to Gregory Peck's noble gesture that changed the career of a young actress. We reveal the most interesting facts about the filming of this legendary movie.

Photo from website: gedonistica.timepad.ruMain points of the article:

• Audrey Hepburn got the role thanks to a legendary audition where cameras continued filming after the 'Stop!' command;
• Gregory Peck insisted on equal billing for Hepburn, predicting her Oscar win;
• The real screenwriter Dalton Trumbo was blacklisted and couldn't receive recognition;
• Studio signed a special agreement with the British government stating that the princess was not related to the royal family;
• The famous scene at 'Mouth of Truth' was completely improvised.

Secret #1: The Legendary Audition That Changed Everything

Audrey Hepburn got the role of Princess Ann thanks to one of the most famous film auditions in Hollywood history. On September 18, 1951, director Toland Dickinson filmed an audition with Hepburn and sent it to William Wyler who was preparing for filming in Rome.

But the main trick was that the cinematographer was instructed to continue filming after the 'Stop!' command. A few minutes of spontaneous, un rehearsed play by Hepburn were captured on film. These shots combined with an honest interview captivated Paramount producers.

"Several Paramount producers expressed interest in her casting as a result of the audition," — Wyler wrote. Thus, an unknown actress received the leading role that made her a global star.

Secret #2: Gregory Peck's Noble Gesture

According to the contract, Gregory Peck was supposed to have sole billing over the film title — a privilege of major Hollywood stars. Hepburn, as a newcomer, was supposed to be mentioned much less prominently in the credits.

But around mid-filming, Peck proposed to Wyler to give her equal billing — an unheard-of gesture in Hollywood. "Peck could see the potential of the young actress and, despite the promised place above the title, understood that this place also belonged to her based on her talent."

Peck even predicted Hepburn's Oscar win. "After filming, Gregory Peck told producers that since Audrey Hepburn would surely win the Oscar (for this, her first leading role), they better put her name above the title. They did so and she indeed won."

Secret #3: The Mystery of the Real Screenwriter

The screenplay for 'Roman Holiday' was written by Dalton Trumbo, but his name did not appear in the credits. Trumbo was one of the 'Hollywood Ten' — screenwriters and directors blacklisted for alleged communist sympathies.

Instead of Trumbo, the award for Best Original Screenplay went to his friend Ian McLellan Hunter, who worked on the final version. Hunter donated his $50,000 fee to Trumbo.

Only in 1993, forty years after the film's release, Trumbo’s widow Cleo received an Oscar at a special screening of the film. The real author's name was restored in the credits when the DVD was released in 2003, and full recognition of Trumbo’s work only happened on December 19, 2011.

Secret #4: Diplomatic Negotiations with Britain

Since the film told about a princess, Paramount studio signed a special agreement with the British government. The contract guaranteed that Hepburn's character was in no way connected to the British royal family — especially Princess Margaret.

Wyler had even shoot a whole scene to clearly show that Hepburn's heroine was not a British princess. Interestingly, the film helped by Princess Margaret’s real romance with commoner Peter Townsend — "No studio could have bought such advertising," wrote critic Alexander Walker.

Secret #5: Improvisation at 'Mouth of Truth'

One of the most famous scenes in the film — at the Roman sculpture 'Mouth of Truth' — was completely improvised. Gregory Peck borrowed a joke from comedian Red Skelton, pretending that the stone face bit off his hand.

Before filming, Peck told Wyler that he planned to pull this trick but asked not to tell Hepburn. When Peck pulled his hand out of the stone mouth, hiding it in his sleeve, Hepburn's horror and surprise were genuine.

"She let out what she later called 'a good and proper scream,' and the scene was filmed in one take." This scene was later reproduced countless times in parodies and other films.

Secret #6: The First Fully Italian-American Film

'Roman Holiday' became the first American film entirely shot in Italy. Paramount initially wanted to shoot on sound stages in Hollywood, but Wyler insisted on natural filming in Rome.

The studio agreed but cut the budget to cover travel expenses. This meant filming in black and white instead of the expected 'Technicolor'. "Wyler wanted to shoot on location in Rome rather than a Hollywood sound stage, and the film practically became the first American film entirely shot in Italy."

Roman summer was unbearably hot — temperatures reached 35 degrees Celsius. Crowds surrounded all filming locations, creating a huge improvised audience for the actors.

Secret #7: Lost Oscar and Other Oddities

In excitement after winning the 1954 Oscar ceremony, Hepburn kissed Academy President Jean Hersholt directly on the lips instead of his cheek. And a few minutes after receiving the award, she realized she had lost her statuette.

"Quickly turning around on the steps of the Century Theatre in New York, she rushed back to the ladies' room, grabbed the award and was ready for photoshoots."

For the scene of the princess saying goodbye to Joe, Hepburn was supposed to cry, but the inexperienced actress couldn’t produce tears on command. After many ruined takes, Wyler started complaining about wasted time. Hepburn immediately began to cry and the scene was successfully filmed.

Bonus: Stars Who Were Not There

The role of the princess was originally offered to Elizabeth Taylor and Jean Simmons, but both were busy. The role of journalist Joe Bradley was initially offered to Cary Grant, but he declined, feeling too old for a romance with Hepburn.

After the film's success and both Peck and Hepburn, a sequel was offered to them, but this project never materialized. Perhaps precisely because of that, 'Roman Holiday' remains a unique masterpiece impossible to replicate.

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