Dwight MacDonald's verdict back in 1960 was that “she is not an actress, she is a model, with her stiff meager body and her blank face full of good bone structure. She has the model's narcissism, not the actress' introversion.” Others, too, call her more a figure of fashion than of film. But her defendersâsuch as the late Eva Gaborâvehemently reject that view:
“That annoys me, because she was a wonderful actress. The blind girl in
Wait Until Dark?
That was not a fashion model.
War and Peace
âthe scene where her brother gets killed? That was acting, not fashion.”
Only a woman and a mother could have felt Somalia so viscerallyâand communicated it so directly to the world.
It is the film star's grim duty to age in front of the public. Hepburn did so with characteristic dignity and order, without resorting to the usual extremesâoverâtheâhill “guest” shots and commercials, or pathological withdrawal.
She held out. In the end, she played her greatest part not on a movie set but on the vast and more dramatic stage of Africa.
She wanted only to be a dancer. By the standards of the day, she couldn't manage itâbut her dancer's discipline turned her into a superb technician for life. Later as a film star, some inner voice told her she was unworthy of such great acclaim. She could never quite reconcile the public adulation with her private self-image or her mother's impossibly high standards.
The case history was not unusual, but the way she resolved it was: No Garboesque reclusion for Hepburn. No booze or pills. She had a secure place, early on, as a major cultural icon in film and fashion. She could have comfortably remained there with no additional effort. But in her centeredness, she figured out that the one thing she could do and should do was give back.
AUDREY HEPBURN'S epilogue is contained in the continuation of her work on behalf of the world's children. To obtain more information or make contributions, please contact the Audrey Hepburn Hollywood for Children Fund, 4 East 12th Street, New York, N.Y., 10003 (212-243-5264) or the Audrey Hepburn Memorial Fund for UNICEF, 3 UNICEF United Nations Plaza (#H6F), New York, N.Y., 10017.
1. NEDERLANDS IN ZEVEN LESSEN [DUTCH IN SEVEN LESSONS,
or
DUTCH AT THE DOUBLE]
(1948). Netherlands, G-B Instructional Production. Produced by H. M. Josephson. Directed by Charles Huguenot Van der Linden. With Koes Koen [Warn Heskes] (George), A. Viruly (KLM pilot), AUDREY HEPBURN (KLM stewardess).
A girl-crazy English cameraman has just one week in which to film a rather dull travelogue of Holland. Running time: 79 min.
2.
ONE WILD OAT
(1951). Great Britain, Eros-Coronet. Produced by John Croydon. Directed by Charles Saunders. Written by Vernon Sylvaine and Lawrence Huntington from the play by Sylvaine. With Robertson Hare (Humphrey Proudfoot), Stanley Holloway (Alfred Gilbey), Constance Lorne (Mrs. Proudfoot), Vera Pearce (Mrs. Gilbey), June Sylvaine (Cherrie Proudfoot), Andrew Crawford (Fred Gilbey), Irene Handl (Audrey Cuttle), Sam Costa (Mr. Pepys), Robert Moreton (Throstle), Charles Grove (Charles), Joan Rice (Annie), AUDREY HEPBURN (unbilled extra).
A barrister tries to discourage his daughter's love for a scoundrel but is blackmailed instead. Running time: 78 min.
3.
YOUNG WIVES' TALE
(1951). Great Britain. Associated British Pictures. Produced by Victor Skutetzky. Directed by Henry Cass. Written by Ann Burnaby, from the play by Ronald Jeans. Photographed by Erwin Hillier. Music by Philip Green. Edited by E. Jarvis. Music Direction by Louis Levy. Art Direction by Terence Verity. With Joan Greenwood (Sabina Pennant), Nigel Patrick (Rodney Pennant), Derek Farr (Bruce Banning), Guy Middleton (Victor Manifold), Athene Seyler (Nanny Gallop), Helen Cherry (Mary Banning), AUDREY HEPBURN (Eve Lester), Fabia Drake (Nurse Blott), Irene Handl and Joan Sanderson (Nurses), Jack McNaughton (Taxi Driver), Brian Oulton (Man in Pub), Carol James (Elizabeth).
A timid boarder becomes infatuated with one of the married men living in the same house. Running time: 79 min.
4.
LAUGHTER IN PARADISE
(1951). Great Britain. Associated British Pictures. Produced and directed by Mario Zampi. Written by Michael Pertwee and Jack Davies. Photographed by William McLeod. Music by Stanley Black. Edited by Giulio Zampi. Art Direction by Ivan King. With Alastair Sim (Deniston Russell), Fay Compton (Agnes Russell), Beatrice Campbell (Lucille Grayson), Veronica Hurst (Joan Webb), Guy Middleton (Simon Russell), A.E. Matthews (Sir Charles Robson), Joyce Grenfell (Elizabeth Robson), Hugh Griffith (Henry Russell), Anthony Steel (Roger Godfrey), John Laurie (Gordon Webb), Eleanor Summerfield (Sheila Wilcott), Ronald Adam (Mr. Wagstaffe), AUDREY HEPBURN (Cigarette Girl).
An eccentric millionaire bequeaths his money to four selfish relatives, on the condition that they first carry out his humiliating requests. Running time: 93 min.
5.
THE LAVENDER HILL MOB
(1951). Great Britain. Ealing Studios. Produced by Michael Balcon. Directed by Charles Crichton. Written by T.E.B. Clarke. Photographed by Douglas Slocombe. Music by Georges Auric. Edited by Seth Holt. Musical Direction by Ernest Irving. Art Direction by William Kellner. With Alec Guinness (Holland), Stanley Holloway (Pendlebury), Sidney James (Lackery), Alfie Bass (Shorty), Marjorie Fielding (Mrs. Chalk), John Gregson (Farrow), Edie Martin (Miss Evesham), Clive Morton (Sergeant), Ronald Adam (Turner), Sydney Tafler (Clayton), AUDREY HEPBURN (Chiquita), Robert Shaw (in his bit-part screen debut).
A mousy shipping clerk, aided by his boarding-house crony, concocts and executes a brilliant scheme to steal a fortune in gold from his employers. Running time: 82 min.
6.
SECRET PEOPLE
(1952). Great Britain. Ealing Studios. Produced by Sidney Cole. Directed by Thorold Dickinson. Written by Dickinson, Wolfgang Wilhelm and Christianna Brand, from a story by Dickinson and Joyce Carey. Photographed by Gordon Dines. Music by Roberto Gerhard. Edited by Peter Tanner. Art Direction by William Kellner. Costumes by Anthony Mendleson. Choreography by Andrée Howard. With Valentina Cortesa (Maria), Serge Reggiani (Louis), Charles Goldner (Anselmo), AUDREY HEPBURN (Nora), Meg Jenkins (Penny), Irene Worth (Miss Jackson), Reginald Tate (Inspector Eliot), Norman Williams (Sergeant Newcome), Michael Shepley (Manager), Athene Seyler (Mrs. Kellick), Sydney Tafler (Syd Burnett), Geoffrey Hibbert (Steenie), John Ruddock (Daly), Michael Allan (Rodd), John Field (Fedor Luki), Bob Monkhouse (Barber).
After the assassination of their father, a Central European refugee and her innocent ballet-dancer sister in London are caught up in a violent political conspiracy. Running time: 96 min.
7.
MONTE CARLO BABY [NOUS IRONS Ã MONTE CARLO]
(1952). France. GFD/Favorite Pictures. Produced by Ray Ventura. Directed by Jean Boyer and Lester Fuller. Written by Boyer, Fuller, and Alex Joffe. Dialogue by Serge Veber. Photographed by Charles Suin. Music by Paul Misraki. Edited by Franchette Mazin. Art Direction by Robert Giordani. Music and lyrics by Misraki and Geoffrey Parsons. Sound by A. Archimbault. With AUDREY HEPBURN (Linda Farrell; Melissa Walter in French version), Jules Munshin (Antoine), Michele Farmer (Jacqueline), Cara Williams (Marinette), Philippe Lemaire (Philippe), Russell Collins (Max), John Van Dreelan (Pianist), Ray Ventura and his orchestra.
A touring musician is mistakenly given custody of a movie star's child. Running time: 89 min.
8.
ROMAN HOLIDAY
(1953). Paramount. Produced and directed by William Wyler. Written by Ian McLellan Hunter and John Dighton, from a story by Hunter. Photographed by Frank F. Planer and Henri Alekan. Music by Georges Auric. Edited by Robert Swink. Art Direction by Hal Pereira and Walter Tyler. Costumes by Edith Head. With Gregory Peck (Joe Bradley), AUDREY HEPBURN (Princess Anne), Eddie Albert (Irving Radovich), Hartley Power (Mr. Hennessy), Laura Solari (Hennessey's Secretary), Harcourt Williams (Ambassador), Margaret Rawlings (Countess Vereberg), Tullio Carminati (General Provno), Paolo Carlini (Mario Delani), Claudio Ermelli (Giovanni), Paolo Borboni (Charwoman), Heinz Hindrich (Dr. Bonachoven), Gorella Gori (Shoe Seller), Alfredo Rizzo (Taxi Driver), John Horne (Master of Ceremonies), Giacomo Penza (Papal Nuncio), Eric Oulton (Sir Hugo Macy de Farmington).
A bored and sheltered princess escapes her guardians and falls in love with an American newsman in Rome. Running time: 119 min.
9.
SABRINA
(1954). Paramount. Produced and directed by Billy Wilder. Written by Wilder, Samuel Taylor, and Ernest Lehman, from the play
Sabrina Fair
by Taylor. Photographed by Charles Lang, Jr. Music by Frederick Hollander. Edited by Arthur Schmidt. Art Direction by Hal Pereira and Walter Tyler. Costumes by Edith Head. Music and lyrics by Wilson Stone, Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart, Harold Lewis, Louiguy, Edith Piaf, Frank Silver, Irving Cohen and John Cope. With Humphrey Bogart (Linus Larrabee), AUDREY HEPBURN (Sabrina Fairchild), William Holden (David Larrabee), Walter Hampden (Oliver Larrabee), John Williams (Thomas Fairchild), Martha Hyer (Elizabeth Tyson), Joan Vohs (Gretchen Van Horn), Marcel Dalio (Baron), Marcel Hillaire (The Professor), Nella Walker (Maude Larrabee), Francis X. Bushman (Mr. Tyson), Ellen Corby (Miss McCardle), Marjorie Bennett (Margaret, the Cook), Emory Parnell (Charles, the Butler), Kay Riehl (Mrs. Tyson), Nancy Kulp (Jenny, the Maid), Emmett Vogan, Colin Campbell (Board Members).
A chauffeur's daughter falls in love with one of two rich brothers, is packed off to cooking school in Paris, returns a sophisticate, and becomes the object of both brothers' affections. Running time: 114 min.
10.
WAR AND PEACE
(1956). Italy/U.S.A. Ponti-De Laurentiis Productions/Paramount. Produced by Dino De Laurentiis. Directed by King Vidor. Written by Bridget Boland, Robert Westerby, Vidor, Mario Camerini, Ennio de Concini, Ivo Perilli and Irwin Shaw, from the novel by Leo Tolstoy. Photographed by Jack Cardiff and Aldo Tonti. Music by Nino Rota. Edited by Stuart Gilmore and Leo Cattozzo. Music Direction by Franco Ferrara. Art Direction by Mario Chiari, Franz Bachelin and Giani Polidori. Costumes by Maria de Matteis. With AUDREY HEPBURN (Natasha Rostov), Henry Fonda (Pierre), Mel Ferrer (Andrei), Vittorio Gassman (Anatole), John Mills (Platon), Herbert Lom (Napoleon), Oscar Homolka (General Kutuzov), Anita Ekberg (Helene), Helmut Dantine (Dolokhov), Barry Jones (Count Rostov), Anna Maria Ferrero (Mary Bolkonsky), Milly Vitale (Lise), Jeremy Brett (Nicholas Rostov), Lea Seidl (Countess Rostov), Wilfrid Lawson (Prince Bolkonsky), Sean Barrett (Petya Rostov), Tullio Carminati (Kuragin), May Britt (Sonya), Patrick Crean (Denisov), Gertrude Flynn (Peronskaya), Gualtiero Tumiati (Pierre's Father), Mauro Lanciani (Young Prince Nikolai Bolkonsky).
The great love story of young Natasha for Prince Andreiâand the unrequited love of bastard Pierre for Natashaâset in the panorama of Napoleon's invasion of Russia. Running time: 208 min.
11.
FUNNY FACE
(1957). Paramount. Produced by Roger Edens. Directed by Stanley Donen. Written by Leonard Gershe, from his musical libretto,
Wedding Day.
Photographed by Ray June. Music by George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin, Edens and Gershe. Edited by Frank Bracht. Musical Direction by Adolph Deutsch. Art Direction by George W. Davis and Hal Pereira. Costumes by Edith Head and Hubert de Givenchy. Choreography by Fred Astaire and Eugene Loring. With AUDREY HEPBURN (Jo Stockton), Fred Astaire (Dick Avery), Kay Thompson (Maggie Prescott), Michel Auclair (Professor Emile Flostre), Robert Fleming (Paul Duval), Dovima (Marion), Virginia Gibson (Babs), Suzy Parker, Sunny Harnett (Specialty Dancers in “Think Pink”), Don Powell, Carole Eastman (Specialty Dancers), Sue England (Laura), Ruta Lee (Lettie), Iphigenie Castiglioni (Armande), Elizabeth Slifer (Madame La Farge), Nesdon Booth (Southern Man), Jerry Chiat (Man on Head).
A Greenwich Village bookworm is turned into the fashion sensation of the decade by the editor and star photographer of a glitzy,
Vogue
-like magazine. Running time: 103 min.
12.
LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON
(1957). Allied Artists. Produced and directed by Billy Wilder. Written by Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond, from the novel
Ariane
by Claude Anet. Photographed by William Mellor. Music by Franz Waxman. Edited by Leonid Azar. Art Direction by Alexander Trauner. Costumes by Hubert de Givenchy. With Gary Cooper (Frank Flannagan), AUDREY HEPBURN (Ariane Chavasse), Maurice Chevalier (Claude Chevasse), Van Doude (Michel), John McGiver (Monsieur X), Lise Bourdin (Madame X), Bonifas (Commissioner of Police), Audrey Wilder (Brunette), Gyula Kokas, Michel Kokas, George Cocos, Victor Gazzoli (Gypsies), Olga Valery (Lady with Dog), Leila Croft and Valerie Croft (Swedish Twins), Charles Bouillard (Valet at the Ritz), Minerva Pious (Maid at the Ritz), Gregory Gromoff (Ritz Doorman), Janine Dard, Claude Ariel (Existentialists), Guy Delorme (Gigolo).
The cellist-daughter of a detective falls for the playboy-lothario whom her father is investigating. Running time: 125 min.
13.
THE NUN'S STORY
(1959). Warner Brothers. Produced by Henry Blanke. Directed by Fred Zinnemann. Written by Robert Anderson, from the book by Kathryn C. Hulme. Photographed by Franz F. Planer. Music by Franz Waxman. Edited by Walter Thompson. Art Direction by Alexander Trauner. Costumes by Marjorie Best. With AUDREY HEPBURN (Sister Luke, Gabrielle Van Der Mal), Peter Finch (Dr. Fortunati), Dame Edith Evans (Mother Emmanuel), Dame Peggy Ashcroft (Mother Mathilde), Dean Jagger (Dr. Van Der Mal), Mildred Dunnock (Sister Margharita), Beatrice Straight (Mother Christophe), Patricia Collinge (Sister William), Eva Kotthaus (Sister Marie), Ruth White (Mother Marcella), Niall McGinnis (Father Vermeuhlen), Patricia Bosworth (Simone), Barbara OâNeil (Mother Katherine), Lionel Jeffries (Dr. Goovaerts), Margaret Phillips (Sister Pauline), Rosalie Crutchley (Sister Eleanor), Colleen Dewhurst (Archangel), Stephen Murray (Chaplain), Orlando Martins (Kalulu), Errol John (Illunga), Jeannette Sterke (Louise Van Der Mal), Richard O'Sullivan (Pierre Van Der Mal), Diana Lambert (Lisa), Marina Wolkonsky (Marie Van Der Mal).
A nursing nun in the Belgian Congo struggles with her own worthiness andâafter the death of her fatherâwhether she should give up the sisterhood to fight the Nazis. Running time: 149 min.
14.
GREEN MANSIONS
(1959). Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Produced by Edmund Grainger. Directed by Mel Ferrer. Written by Dorothy Kingsley, from the novel by William Henry Hudson. Photographed by Joseph Ruttenberg. Music by Hector Villa-Lobos and Bronislau Kaper. Edited by Ferris Webster. Art Direction by William A. Horning and Preston Ames. Costumes by Dorothy Jeakins. Choreography by Katharine Dunham. With AUDREY HEPBURN (Rima), Anthony Perkins (Abel), Lee J. Cobb (Nuflo), Sessue Hayakawa (Runi), Henry Silva (Kua-Ko), Nehemiah Persoff (Don Panta), Michael Pate (Priest), Estelle Hemsley (Cla-Cla).
A political fugitive in Venezuela meets Rima the Bird Girl, mysterious beauty of the jungle, whom he views as the ideal of innocence but whom the superstitious natives believe to be evil and set out to kill. Running time: 104 min.
15.
THE UNFORGIVEN
(1960). Hecht-Hill-Lancaster Productions, United Artists. Produced by James Hill. Directed by John Huston. Written by Ben Maddow, from the novel by Alan LeMay. Photographed by Franz F. Planer. Music Direction by Dimitri Tiomkin. Edited by Russell Lloyd. Art Direction by Stephen Grimes. With Burt Lancaster (Ben Zachary), AUDREY HEPBURN (Rachel Zachary), Audie Murphy (Cash Zachary), John Saxon (Johnny Portugal), Charles Bickford (Zeb Rollins), Lillian Gish (Mattilda Zachary), Albert Salmi (Charlie Rawlins), Joseph Wiseman (Abe Kelsey), June Walker (Hagar Rawlins), Kipp Hamilton (Georgia Rawlins), Doug McClure (Andy Zachary).
An orphan is caught between the prejudices of the white family that adopted her and a bloody Kiowa uprising. Running time: 120 min.
16.
BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S
(1961). Paramount. Produced by Martin Jurow and Richard Shepherd. Directed by Blake Edwards. Written by George Axelrod, from the novel by Truman Capote. Photographed by Franz F. Planer. Music by Henry Mancini. Edited by Howard Smith. Costumes by Edith Head. Music and lyrics of “Moon River” by Mancini and Johnny Mercer. With AUDREY HEPBURN (Holly Golightly), George Peppard (Paul Varjak), Patricia Neal (“2E”), Buddy Ebsen (Doc Golightly), Martin Balsam (O.J. Berman), Mickey Rooney (Mr. Yunioshi), José-Luis De Villallonga (José), John McGiver (Tiffany Salesman), Dorothy Whitney (Mag Wildwood), Stanley Adams (Rusty Trawler), Elvia Allman (Librarian), Alan Reed Sr. (Sally Tomato), Claude Stroud (Sid Arbuck).
Holly Golightly, a New York Bohemian girl for hire, falls in love with a budding novelist. Running time: 114 min.