Main Cast: Olivia de Havilland, Robert Cummings, Charles Coburn, Jack Carson, Jane Wyman
Release Year: 1943
Country: US
Run Time: 94 minutes
Plot
A princess finds love with a regular American Joe in this patriotic romantic comedy. A European diplomat (Charles Coburn) is named an ambassador to the U.S., and when he relocates to Washington D.C., he's accompanied by his niece, Princess Maria (Olivia de Havilland). Maria's uncle hopes that she'll meet an eligible American bachelor during her visit, since potential husbands are in short supply at home. Maria tires of her uncle's attempts at matchmaking, and when he suggests that she take a side trip to San Francisco, she leaps at the chance. However, Maria has a fear of flying, and when she's given tranquilizers to settle her nerves, she passes out in mid-flight. Maria is down for the count when bad weather forces the flight to return to Washington, and pilot Eddie O'Rourke (Robert Cummings) volunteers to put her up for the night. When Maria comes to, she's struck by Eddie's decency and charm, and it's love at first sight for them. However, Maria's uncle was hoping for someone higher up the social ladder than a pilot, and the lovebirds have an uphill battle getting him to consent to their wedding. No one seems sure if it's actually President Franklin D. Roosevelt appearing in the film's final scenes or just an impersonator, but apparently FDR's dog Fala did actually play himself. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Princess Maria (Olivia De Havilland) and her uncle Holman (Charles Coburn) are forced into exile in New York City when their country is invaded by the Nazis in World War II. Holman is anxious to have his niece get married and produce a male heir as soon as possible, but she is not interested in his choice, Count Peter de Candome (Curt Bois).
On an airplane flight, the princess takes too many sleeping pills. When the plane is forced to return to New York, Maria is fast asleep. The pilot, Eddie O'Rourke (Robert Cummings), takes charge of her while under the impression that she is just another European refugee. They become acquainted and fall in love.
At first, Holman is aghast that Maria wants to marry a commoner, but then he learns that O'Rourke's family runs to large numbers of sons: Eddie is one of nine brothers and his father is one of eleven. He also realizes that it would help cement American support if she married a citizen, and gives his approval.
