The
romantic comedy A BREATH OF SCANDAL is set in 1917 at the Habsburg court in
Austria. Princess Olympia (Sophia Loren - today, 20 September, is her 81st birthday) falls in love with the American mining engineer Charlie Foster (John
Gavin), but her family expects her to marry a prince.
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| A Breath of Scandal, 0:42:46 |
The movie
was almost completely filmed in Austria, amongst others at the Schönbrunn Palace
in Vienna, where Prince Philip (Maurice Chevalier) lives. Members of the House
of Habsburg did actually stay at this palace which served as a summer
residence. The most famous resident was the Empress Sissi and the movies about
her life were also filmed here. The palace was built in various stages between
1638 and 1780.
At the
beginning of the nineteenth century the palace was given its characteristic
yellow colour, the ‘Schönbrunn Gelb’. A large part of Schönbrunn is open to the
public and in the garden the Schönbrunn Tiergarten is located. Founded in 1752,
it is the oldest zoo in the world.
Filming
took place between May and July of 1959 and little has changed. Schönbrunn is seen twice in the movie,
first when Charlie arrives at the palace and hopes to meet the prince. He
arrives at the back entrance and accidentally runs into Prince Philip. The main
entrance with the almost identical facade cannot be seen in the film.
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| A Breath of Scandal, 0:25:44 |
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| Schönbrunn Palace, 10 July 2014 |
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| A Breath of Scandal, 0:30:25 |
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| Schönbrunn Palace, 10 July 2014 |
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| A Breath of Scandal, 0:31:05 |
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| Schönbrunn Palace, 10 July 2014 |
At the end
of the movie Schönbrunn is seen a second time when Charlie and Olympia drive off
together. The final shot shows the Neptune Fountain and the Gloriette. This
pavilion was built for diners and receptions. The structure dates from 1775 and, being on top of a hill, offers a panoramic view of the palace and the city.
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| A Breath of Scandal, 1:33:15 |
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| Schönbrunn Palace, 10 July 2014 |
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| A Breath of Scandal, 1:33:23 |
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| Gloriette and Neptune Fountain, 10 July 2014 |
During our
visit I did not know that this movie was filmed here, the photographs of the
current situation are lucky shots.
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| Schönbrunn Palace, 10 July 2014 |
Screenshots
© Titanus/Paramount
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