San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Hepburn worthy of Oscar she won for her debut
Audrey Hepburn had appeared in a few movies, in minor roles, but her introduction to the general public came in “Roman Holiday,” a 1953 William Wyler film co-starring Gregory Peck. Few first impressions were ever as memorable.
The 24-year-old Hepburn revealed herself as an enchanting screen presence, in this story of a visiting princess who discovers Rome and romance with an American reporter. The film is a lovely immersion in the Rome of the early ’50s, as seen through the wide eyes of Hepburn, playing a young, sheltered woman getting her first exposures to the joys of the modern world.
Hepburn won the best actress Oscar for her performance, a rare case of the award going to someone for playing a role not far from their natural screen personality.