Swan

UPC: 883316288047

Studio: Warner Bros. Digital Distribution

MPAA Rating: NR   Contains:[Suitable for Children]

Summary: Frances Howard starred as Princess Alexandria in the 1925 silent version of Ferenc Molnar's play The Swan; Lillian Gish assumed the role in the 1930 talkie version. The third and final adaptation starred Grace Kelly, who had one slight advantage over her predecessors; she would soon become a real princess instead of a make-believe one. And don't think that MGM, knowing full well that Grace would retire from moviemaking upon ascending the throne of Monaco, didn't carefully select the timeworn Molnar play for the express purpose of extra publicity. Outside of its mercenary considerations, The Swan is an enjoyable bittersweet tale of a princess who falls in love with her handsome tutor (Louis Jourdan), only to be required to give him up in favor of an arranged marriage of state. The nicest element of the story is that the prince to whom Kelly is engaged, as played by Alec Guinness, is a decent sort, who voluntarily asks for the princess' hand instead of forcing the issue. Of course, the issue has been forced upon him when he realizes the depth of the love Kelly harbors for her tutor. It may well be that this version of The Swan will be the last; on the other hand, who'd a' thunk that someone would want to make Sabrina again in 1995? ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Category: Romance

Swan

Format: DVD

Release Date: 10/26/2010

Audio: DD2 Dolby Digital Stereo

Runtime: 108 Minutes

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English

Craig Butler

The Swan is a pleasant, highly entertaining, and occasionally surprising bit of fluff, a delightful chocolate souffl? with an unexpected bittersweet aftertaste. Set among the royal classes, it's a film that's really all about style -- and, therefore, the kind of film that can fall apart if any wrong notes are played. Fortunately, director Charles Vidor keeps a delicate, yet firm, hold on the proceedings, ensuring that every scene is played with just the right amount of muted emotion and not-too-taut tension. He's helped immeasurably by his cast, each of whom is exactly in tune with the director. Grace Kelly, of course, is anyone's dream of a princess, but it's delightful how well this most sophisticated of stars convincingly conveys the na?vet? and shyness that is essential to the character. Louis Jourdan is utterly charming as the teacher who loves her, and Agnes Moorehead is a properly commanding and withering Queen Mother, but it is Alec Guinness who stands tallest among the cast, using those rubbery eyebrows and that mouth with a mind of its own to let the audience in on his character's real desires and thoughts. The Swan is carefully constructed, but it still manages to make some unexpected comments about love and responsibility, and end on a final note that is both romantic and melancholy. A lovely little picture, The Swan is an elegant diversion. ~ Craig Butler, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Jessie Royce  Actor 
Christopher Cooke  Actor 
John Dighton  Screenwriter 
Bronislau Kaper  Composer (Music Score) 
Dore Schary  Producer 
Charles Vidor  Director 
Ferenc Molnar  Screenwriter 
Grace Kelly  Actor 
Alec Guinness  Actor 
Louis Jourdan  Actor 
Agnes Moorehead  Actor 
Jesse Royce Landis  Actor 
Brian Aherne  Actor 
Leo G. Carroll  Actor 
Estelle Winwood  Actor 
Van Dyke Parks  Actor 
Robert Coote  Actor 
Doris Lloyd  Actor 
Edith Barrett  Actor 

Country: USA