Sabrina (Paramount 1954, Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn)

Classic romance Sabrina showcases Audrey Hepburn’s grace and natural beauty. Hepburn, a chauffeur’s daughter who lives over a mansion’s garage, returns home from a French cooking school as a charming sophisticate.

She had been sent away after losing her heart to her father’s employer’s playboy son (William Holden). Upon Hepburn’s homecoming, her new appearance and polish knock Holden off his feet. But Holden’s brother, Humphrey Bogart, a nose-to-the-grindstone businessman, has plans for Holden to marry a rival’s daughter (Martha Hyer) in a practical, if not romantic, merger. Bogart advises Hepburn to watch her heart, but then finds himself enchanted.

Billy Wilder’s astringent dialogue and a sly performance from Bogart lift this above the suds. Remade in 1995 by Sydney Pollack with Harrison Ford in the Bogart role.

The shooting of ‘Sabrina’ was notoriously problematic. Both William Holden and director Billy Wilder quarreled with Humphrey Bogart, who wanted his wife, Lauren Bacall, to replace Audrey Hepburn in the title role.

Golden Globe for Best Screenplay. Academy Award Nominations: 5, including Best Director; Best Screenplay.

Producer and Director: Billy Wilder Director of Photography: Charles Lang Editor: Arthur Schmidt Composer: Frederick Hollander Screenwriters: Ernest Lehman, Samuel A. Taylor, Billy Wilder Art Directors: Hal Pereira, Walter Tyler

production details
USA | Paramount | 113 minutes | 1954

Director: Billy Wilder
Script: Billy Wilder, Ernest Lehman, Samuel A. Taylor,

cast
Humphrey Bogart as Linus Larrabee
Audrey Hepburn as Sabrina Fairchild
Ralph Moratz as Passenger on Ship Deck (uncredited)
William Holden as David Larrabee
Ellen Corby as Miss McCardie
Marjorie Bennett as Margaret
Chuck Hamilton as Gardener-Caretaker (uncredited)
Sam Harris as Party Guest (uncredited)
Walter Hampden as Oliver Larrabee
John Williams as Thomas Fairchild
Martha Hyer as Elizabeth Tyson
Joan Vohs as Gretchen Van Horn
Marcel Dalio as Baron St. Foritanel
Marcel Hillaire as Professor
Nella Walker as Maude Larrabee
Francis X. Bushman as Mr. Tyson
Emory Parnell as Charles
Nancy Kulp as Jenny
Paul Harvey as Dr. Calaway
Kay Riehl as Mrs. Tyson
Raymond Bailey as Member of the Board (uncredited)
Ralph Brooks as Party / Dance Extra (uncredited)
Colin Campbell as Board Member (uncredited)
Harvey B. Dunn as Party Guest with Tray (uncredited)
Fritz Ford as Dance Partner (uncredited)
Otto Forrest as Elevator Operator (uncredited)
Rand Harper as Man (uncredited)
Kay E. Kuter as Ernest – Houseman (uncredited)
Bill Neff as Man with Linus Larrabee (uncredited)
Gregory Ratoff as Man with David Larrabee (uncredited)
Marion Ross as Spiller’s Girlfriend (uncredited)
Emmett Vogan as Board Member (uncredited)
Lovyss Bradley as Office Worker (uncredited)
Jean Ransome as Maid (uncredited)
James Carlisle as Lawyer (uncredited)
Fred Rapport as Party Guest (uncredited)
Herschel Graham as Office Worker (uncredited)