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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Take a ‘Roman Holiday’ on Sunday

Dan Webster

If you're into classic Hollywood films, you might want to catch a screening of the 1953 romance "Roman Holiday," which will play at 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday at Regal Cinemas' Northtown and Coeur d'Alene Riverstone Stadium theaters.

The screenings are part of a partnership between Regal Cinemas and Turner Classic Movies' Big Screen Classic Events series. The series, which has been ongoing since the summer (with the 40th Anniversary screening of "Jaws"), will continue on Dec. 20 and 23 with "A Miracle on 34th Street."

"Roman Holiday" was directed by William Wyler and stars Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn. Nominated for 10 Academy Awards, it won three: Edith Head for Best Costume Design, black and white; Dalton Trumbo for Best Writing, Motion Picture Story; and Hepburn for Best Actress.

The plot follows young Princess Ann (Hepburn) who, hating her royal duties, takes refuge in the apartment of a U.S. newsman (Peck), and the two enjoy a short respite from their real lives before returning to their respective obligations. Following are what the critics had to say:

Variety: "(Wyler) times the chuckles with a never-flagging pace, puts heart into the laughs, endows the footage with some boff bits of business and points up some tender, poignant scenes in using the smart script and the cast to the utmost advantage."

The New York Times: "It is a contrived fable but a bittersweet legend with laughs that leaves the spirits soaring."

TV Guide: "The film has enough adventure and excitement to satisfy, and the faintly bittersweet note of the ending is made deliciously palatable by its artistic rightness."

To order tickets, click here.