Did I say how great it is to know that Hollywood hasn’t tried to remake “Roman Holiday”? Alas, I was wrong. I guess a remake was aired in 1987. Is it bad to say I am not familiar with any of the performers of this version?

To stay on target (borrowing a quote from “Star Wars”) or take yet another detour?

I suppose if I had seen this film before my own holiday in Rome, I might have had a different appreciation for some of the sights I had seen. Then again, the joy of watching this film many years after the trip was that even in black and white, Rome is quite a beautiful city.

There are two explanations given for filming it this way: one was director’s choice so the focus was on the story and not the breathtaking beauty of the setting. Another explanation was that certain accountants state-side did not want to spend money on this particular project. Of the two explanations, I prefer the first.

According to an internet search, at least sixty-five movies were set or filmed in Rome (excluding Ancient Rome or specifically the Vatican City). Looking at the list, I’ve only seen two – the other being “Angels and Demons” which did little to improve upon what the first film – “Da Vinci Code” supposedly had to offer. Amazing how the same locations, when used differently to tell a story in different time periods, with different risks at stake can be seen so differently (prominantly in Roman Holiday, barely recalled in Angels and Demons). There are other films set in the Italian city – whether or not I will make it a point to seek them out at the library is another stoy.

After all, how can one top the fun of the romantic comedy that balances the questions sought (such as duty versus honor, freedom versus carefree behavior) and the adventures to be had (to seek the scoop of a fairy tale or let the fairy tale scoop one away)?