The Ambassador's Daughter (1956 film)

The Ambassador's Daughter is a 1956 American romantic comedy film directed by Norman Krasna and starring Olivia de Havilland, John Forsythe and Myrna Loy. It was also produced and written by Krasna, and was distributed by United Artists. It was shot at the Joinville Studios in Paris. The film's sets were designed by the art director Léon Barsacq.

The Ambassador's Daughter
Directed byNorman Krasna
Written byNorman Krasna
Produced byNorman Krasna
StarringOlivia de Havilland
John Forsythe
Myrna Loy
Adolphe Menjou
CinematographyMichel Kelber
Edited byRoger Dwyre
Music byJacques Météhen
Production
company
Distributed byUnited Artists
Release date
  • July 26, 1956 (1956-07-26)
Running time
103 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$1,250,000[1]
Box office$1.5 million (US)[2]

Plot

When a visiting American senator decides to make Paris off-limits to enlisted military personnel, the daughter of the United States Ambassador to France decides to show him that American servicemen can be gentlemen by dating one of them without revealing her lofty social status. Sergeant Sullivan takes Joan to colorful nightclub cabarets, and on a comical trip up the Eiffel Tower, all the time believing her to be a Dior fashion model.

Thinking she has an emergency back in America, Sullivan offers to buy her an airline ticket, for which she is grateful, until she hears that counterfeit plane tickets are a common scam used by American servicemen to impress girls. Sullivan's friend, the homespun Corporal O'Connor, all the while is a guest of the Ambassador's family and other top brass, and tries to alert Sullivan as to Joan's true identity, but is unable to contact Sullivan (and is sworn to secrecy).

When Sullivan drops into the Dior fashion show one day to look for Joan, he discovers that the staff have never heard of her. However he sees Joan observing the show with her father's friend, the Senator, whom he mistakenly assumes must be her sugar daddy. On their last dinner date, Joan walks out on Sullivan, when he accidentally spills wine on her and offers to take her to his hotel room, thinking he is dishonorable. Finally, one evening Sullivan and the Ambassador's family, by coincidence, separately attend the same ballet performance of Swan Lake, where during the intermission Sullivan learns her true identity and their misunderstanding is resolved.

Cast
Promotional photo of Adolphe Menjou and Myrna Loy for The Ambassador's Daughter

Production

In February 1954 Krasna announced he would write and direct an original film for Jerry Wald at Columbia Pictures, Speak to Me of Love.[3] Gene Tierney was to star.[4] In March the title changed to The Ambassador's Daughter.[5] In April 1954 the deal with Columbia was called off.[6] In January 1955 Van Johnson was announced for the male lead.[7] The film ended up not being made at Columbia - in February 1955 Krasna signed a two picture deal to write and direct at United Artists; the first was to be The Ambassador's Daughter and the second was Red Roses. The latter ended up not being made.[8][9] Olivia de Havilland signed in June.[10] Johnson ended up not appearing in the movie; John Forsythe was cast the following month.[11] Adolphe Menjou joined the film in September.[12]

See also

References
  1. "Krasna Applauds Code". Variety. 25 April 1956. p. 4.
  2. 'The Top Box-Office Hits of 1956', Variety Weekly, January 2, 1957
  3. Drama: Wald, Krasna Renewing Association; Top Disc Jockey Inspiring Film Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 1 Feb 1954: B9.
  4. MISS TIERNEY SET FOR KRASNA FILM: She Will Star in 'Speak to Me of Love' at Columbia -- Van Johnson Weighs Role By THOMAS M. PRYOR New York Times 13 Feb 1954: 10.
  5. Drama: Rank Would Arrange New Peck Deal; William Demarest Does Gambler Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times 18 Mar 1954: A13.
  6. JANET LEIGH SIGNS CONTRACT AT U.-I.: New York Times]17 Apr 1954: 7.
  7. FOUR FILM STARS WEIGH U. A. DEALS New York Times 31 Jan 1955: 23.
  8. Schallert, Edwin (9 February 1955). "Ace Comedian Tati Will Do 'My Uncle'; Road Race Themes Film; Krasna Set". Los Angeles Times. p. 21.
  9. ' WOMAN OF WOODS' ON FOX' SCHEDULE: New York Times 9 Feb 1955: 32.
  10. KRASNA GETS STAR FOR HIS NEW FILM: New York Times 30 June 1955: 19.
  11. Of Local Origin New York Times 13 July 1955: 21.
  12. STUDIOS WILL HUM AFTER LABOR DAY. New York Times 03 Sep 1955: 9.
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