Based on a True Story

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Not Princess Grace, but Nicole Kidman in her role as Princess Grace of Monaco in the poorly received movie "Grace of Monaco" (2014)



If you follow the entertainment industry, specifically Hollywood movies you are always hearing about the dearth of interesting movie roles for woman, and I have to wonder why Hollywood hasn't focused more on making movies "Based on a True Story" regarding our Royal  Brides. Granted, some of them lived exceedingly dull lives, but others had lives that need no embellishment to make interesting.


Lets start with Betsy Patterson, The Belle of Baltimore. 



Now Betsy's story has been made into two movies that I am aware of; "Glorious Betsy" (1928) and "Hearts Divided" (1936). Its been Eighty-two years since a movie has been made about this fascinating woman! Surely its time for someone to make a fresh retelling of her story. If nothing else it would make a great 6-part episode on PBS "Masterpiece".

 Then there is Agnes of Salm-Salm
This would make a great major Motion Picture, the kind, if done properly would win awards. She had such an interesting life before she met her prince (Some think she may have been a circus performer), then there is love at first sight, the Civil War, the dramatic pleading for the life of her husband (Successful) and the Emperor Maximillian (Un-successful) to Benito Juarez during the Mexican Revolution, her acceptance into royal circles in Europe, impressed by her bravery, etc. What an opportunity for awards in Best Costume, Original Score, Set Decoration, and maybe even a Best Actress 

Story best suited for a Merchant Ivory picture would have to be that of Clara Ward


Her story has all the trappings needed to make a movie of her life; beautiful, young, rich, impressionable American Heiress, married off at the tender age of 16 to a poor, but title gentleman twice her age. Bored, she runs off with a gypsy violinist and dies abandoned and in poverty at a young age.

 There have been movies, both TV and theatrical about Wallis Simpson
But in most of the movies I have seen, think "The Kings Speech", she is reduced to the role of villain. I remember seeing a mini-series about her a number of years ago, but I think her life is far to complicated to try to make a movie about her entire life, probably better to fixate on one capsule of her life, and if possible, be a little empathic (Like they were in "I, Tonya" about Tonya Harding).

As for Megan Markel, I expect at least one Lifetime movie before 2018 is finished.





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