Did you happen to see the documentary, The Wedding in Monaco, when it aired on Turner Classic Movies a few days ago? If not, you must. The 1956 documentary, which profiles the wedding of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III, is a fascinating, not to mention dazzling, look at the nuptials of the Prince of Monaco and the Princess of Hollywood.
What captivated me was the theatrical tone of the documentary, which, if you didn't know better, you might assume was pure fantasy. With its sweeping CinemaScope landscape, its dramatic flourishes, and its parade of vivid colors, The Wedding in Monaco feels more like a colorful Fifties-era MGM movie with sets designed by Tony Duquette. (One reason for this might be because MGM was partly responsible for the documentary.) The film begins with the Monégasques anticipating the so-called "Wedding of the Century". Palace staff is hard at work planning for the wedding festivities, while at the principality's opera house, dancers and set designers are equally busy, preparing for a lavish entertainment in honor of the couple. Meanwhile, Kelly and her wedding party embark on Monaco, having sailed over on the S.S. Constitution. There to greet her is Rainier, who whisks her off to the Palace, where Kelly is filmed in a (Helen Rose?) evening gown, perusing Rainier family portraits which hang in ornately decorated Palace rooms. Later, a civil marriage ceremony is held, followed by a garden party at the Palace, where the citizens of Monaco are invited to celebrate the marriage of their Prince and new Princess. But it doesn't end there. That evening, the couple descend on the Opéra de Monte-Carlo to attend a gala featuring musicians, singers, and dancers. The pinnacle of this drama is, of course, the church wedding of the Prince and Princess, which is a reverential break from the previous days' pomp and circumstance. The film ends as the couple departs for their honeymoon. I can only assume the Prince and Princess must have been utterly exhausted.
The documentary can be viewed on YouTube, which is where I obtained these fuzzy screen shots. (Unfortunately, the version uploaded to YouTube lacks the opera house gala scene.) What makes this film so striking is its cinematic elegance. But considering the main players of this romantic drama were Grace Kelly, Prince Rainier, and the majestic backdrop of Monaco, elegance is to be expected. This is my kind of spectacle, as opposed to today's low-brow spectacles which include, but unfortunately are not limited to, the divorce of Brangelina and the uncoupling of Hiddleswift.
The drama, as it unfolds:
She was incandescent.
ReplyDeleteShe was indeed.
DeleteMy but she was beautiful! And that wedding gown is one of the greatest of all time. It looks as good today as it did all those years ago - also that evening gown. It just shows that beautiful, truly elegant clothes are timeless. Can't wait to watch this on Netflix!
ReplyDeletesrb, I hope you enjoy it. I can't believe I wasn't familiar with this documentary before now.
DeleteIt took a long time for the Monegasques to let go of Grace. Visited her grave in 1987 and was struck by the peacefulness of the chapel and of her life:Hitchcock, Cary Grant, High Noon, the tomahawk...
ReplyDeleteI remember when she died. It was certainly a shock to everyone.
DeleteMy first comment after reading your brilliant The Peak of Chic for many years. I wait for every post as you always uncover such beautiful photo's. That teamed with your perfect prose always make for a brilliant read. Many thanks.
ReplyDeleteMartin. Melbourne- Australia.
Dear Martin, Thank you so much for your very kind comment. It has put a spring in my step today.
DeleteJennifer
One can still feel the presence of her majesty her royal highness- there- one still sees ladies of a certain age wearing huge hats and huge chandelier earrings in the middle of the day at Hotel de Paris! There is a blog on Monaco and the royals but I cannot recall the name of it, just Google Monaco blog. One of the young ladies of Naples Florida has dated Prince Albert. I think that Monaco is fabulous and Martha Stewart posted about it also- she has some very nice friends over there on the Riviera. Did you see the AD spread that had Timothy Whealon featured? Loved it. Thanks Jennifer for this lovely post today! PS, in order to buy property in Monte, one must first rent for about 10 years and then they will find something for you!
ReplyDeleteI wasn't born when Grace married...but,when I ran across accounts and photos, a film clip of her wedding spectacle, I was fascinated...she had long been perfecting her role as a royal matron,although she is eternal in her films..so, coming across Lee Grant's account of Grace's diminution, loneliness, subjugation,and loss of self-esteem in the ensuing 20 years...was horrifying! The ultimate Henry James heroine, symbol of American beauty,excellence,accomplishment, yet runs smack into unimagined cynical,old-world decadence,which
ReplyDeletetraps and strangles it's unsophisticated American victim...I bet she was sorry she ever met the prince... castles, finery, luxury are meaningless without love...