The 25th anniversary of the tragic death of Grace Kelly was five days ago. Grace started at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts the term after my mother had graduated.
Training at the Academy included an introduction to fencing, which Grace had an opportunity to use in her penultimate movie, The Swan. She played Princess Alexandra, before quitting Hollywood to become a real-life princess.
[flv:http://www.dograt.com/Video/SEP07/TheSwan.flv 448 190]
Here’s a good trivia question. Who is the younger boy, and what would he later be known for doing?
Grace Kelly was beautiful? I never noticed. Now you tell me! 😉
Your friend is largely correct. Today, one never fences without a mask. Still, at one time, it was considered ungentlemanly to wear a mask. It suggested that your opponent was so unskilled that he would miss the foil’s target, the chest. However, paired with a novice the instructor was well advised to protect himself.
In the film the desire was to show Miss Kelly’s face for as many minutes as possible, I’m sure.
All best,
Mark Brandyberry
Thanks for your comment, Mark! I have a good friend who has fenced competitively for years, starting in Belgium. She said that in a real lesson, Grace and Jordan wouldn’t have fenced without their masks on from the outset.
I am a fan of Princess Grace, but I have never seen The Swan except for your clip. Thank you.
I am a fencing instructor, and I have sent this to my private students. They are impressed that “the lesson” remains unchanged for so many years.
Mark Brandyberry
Rose Street Fencing Academy
OK, OK, I cheated! It’s Van Dyke Parks, former child actor who went on to be a co-writer of incredible songs with none other than …. Brian Wilson!
Yes, but of course it’s Louis Jourdan, not to be confused with Rhythm and Blues performer Louis Jordan. But who is the younger of the two boys playing Grace’s brothers?
Why, that’s Louis Jourdan, French actor, who would go on to act in several big-budget MGM movies, usually with other French actors, including Leslie Caron and Maurice Chevalier. “Gigi” and “Lili” come to to mind.