Princess O'Rourke (1943)

Princess O'Rourke Poster

A down-to-earth pilot charms a European princess on vacation in the United States.

Introduction
"Princess O'Rourke", released in 1943, is a romantic funny directed and composed by Norman Krasna. The film stars Olivia de Havilland, Robert Cummings, and Charles Coburn. The plot revolves around a European princess, Maria, who finds herself falling in love with an American pilot while going to the United States.

Plot Synopsis
The facility of the motion picture revolves around the life of Princess Maria (Olivia de Havilland), a royal who lives in an unnamed European country. Maria, who is expected to marry into royalty for the sake of political alliances, discovers these expectations overwhelming. She gets away to America, deciding to live with her royal uncle Holman (Charles Coburn), who also functions as the ambassador in Washington DC.

Maria quickly satisfies Eddie O'Rourke (Robert Cummings), a simple however kind-hearted pilot. Eddie rapidly falls in love with Maria, unconcerned to her true identity as a Princess. Likewise, Maria gets smitten by Eddie's reliability, developing feelings for him and valuing his ignorance of her royal stature, which permits her to live and delight in normal life.

Character Development and Twists
As their relationship deepens, a crisis looms as Eddie proposes to Maria. Maria, anticipating complications associated with her status, decides to let Eddie in on her secret. Nevertheless, Eddie misinterprets Maria's revelation as a humorous jest and does not take her seriously.

Meanwhile, Maria's uncle Holman is happily surprised by the turn of events. He believes Eddie, with his good air force service and attractive demeanor, would be an apt option for Maria. He goes to excellent lengths to manage their union, browsing through international laws, and even manipulates to get Eddie's permission.

Climax and Conclusion
The movie reaches its climax when Eddie is mistakenly notified that he's been prepared into the military and is set to leave for immediate responsibility. He is covertly drugged and made to marry Maria in his unconscious state to accelerate their wedding prior to his purported implementation.

Upon awakening to the reality of his unanticipated matrimony, Eddie is initially surprised and baffled. Nevertheless, Maria admits her genuine sensations for him, revealing how she succumbed to him truly and preferred to marry him voluntarily. The movie ends on a happy note with Eddie accepting Maria, her royal identity and the uncommon scenarios that led to their union.

Total Review
"Princess O'Rourke" is a wonderful classic that offers love, humor, and a tasteful blend of royal and common life. The efficiencies by Olivia de Havilland and Robert Cummings were highly acclaimed. The plot, though built on a structure of mix-ups and mistaken beliefs, ties together in an endearing story of love conquering all odds, making it an enjoyable viewing experience.

Top Cast

  • Olivia de Havilland (small)
    Olivia de Havilland
    Princess Maria
  • Robert Cummings (small)
    Robert Cummings
    Eddie O'Rourke
  • Charles Coburn (small)
    Charles Coburn
    Uncle Holman
  • Jack Carson (small)
    Jack Carson
    Dave Campbell
  • Jane Wyman (small)
    Jane Wyman
    Jean Campbell
  • Harry Davenport (small)
    Harry Davenport
    Supreme Court Judge
  • Gladys Cooper (small)
    Gladys Cooper
    Miss Haskell
  • Minor Watson (small)
    Minor Watson
    Mr. Washburn
  • Nan Wynn (small)
    Nan Wynn
    Nightclub Singer
  • Curt Bois (small)
    Curt Bois
    Count Peter de Candome
  • Ray Walker (small)
    Ray Walker
    G-Man