4. Roman Holiday (1953)
Audrey Hepburn’s first leading role in a Hollywood production saw her rocket to the top of the A-list and win the Academy Award for Best Actress, which isn’t a bad way to introduce yourself.
The actress’ European princess takes a night off royal duties in Rome, only to fall asleep on a park bench and be discovered by Gregory Peck’s American reporter. Once he discovers her lineage, he bets on an exclusive interview, before the inevitable romance kicks in.
Roman Holiday might come close to unabashed slapstick territory with a reliance on easy gags and broad humor, but the sheer star wattage of the leads an intelligent screenplay creates a sense or warmth and tenderness that you can almost feel coming out of the screen.
