The Swan is a 1956 romantic comedy film directed by Charles Vidor and starring Grace Kelly, Alec Guinness, and Louis Jourdan. It is adapted from the 1920 play of the same name by Hungarian playwright Ferenc Molnar, which was previously filmed in 1925 and (as One Romantic Night) in 1930.
Princess Alexandra (Kelly), the daughter of a minor branch of an European royal house, is urged to accept her cousin, the crown prince Albert (Guinness), as husband so that their family may regain a throne that was once taken from them. Princess Alexandra tries to gain Albert's attention, but he seems to take more interest in doing other things. Alexandra is convinced to show interest in the tutor, Dr. Nicholas Agi (Jourdan), to make Albert jealous and stimulate a proposal from him. What Alexandra doesn't know is that Agi already had feelings for Alexandra, which he tells to her, leading her in turn to admit that it was a ploy to get Albert to propose to her. But then she realizes that she may have some feelings for him, but now he refuses her...
Not to be confused with the 2023 short film of the same name, which is adapted from a short story of the same name.
This film features examples of:
- Dances and Balls: The film reaches its climax at the farewell ball for the crown prince.
- Ignore the Fanservice: When Princess Alexandra tries to gain Albert's attention, he seems to take more interest in doing other things like sleeping late, shooting duck and playing football with Alexandra's two brothers than wooing her.
- Operation: Jealousy: Alexandra is convinced to show interest in the tutor Dr. Agi to make Albert jealous and stimulate a proposal from him.
