In December 1953 Life magazine wrote of Audrey Hepburn: “She has been called chic, soignée, ravissante, and a lot of other fancy French words; she has also been called a slick chick.”
At the age of 24 Hepburn had only completed just one American film Roman Holiday in which she appeared with Gregory Peck, but was already almost the toast of Hollywood. In 1953 she had been chosen to star in Billy Wilder’s new film Sabrina alongside William Holden, with whom she had a brief but passionate affair, but also a rather grumpy Humphrey Bogart. It was his first Paramount film and didn’t really get along with anyone, especially William Holden whom he called ‘Smilin’ Jim’. During the filming of Sabrina Hepburn lived in a hired house on Wilshire Boulevard and Life sent their photographer Mark Shaw, who had been with the magazine for just a year, along to take some pictures.
That glamorous playmate of ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ in a ‘Hepburn’ holiday of fun and romance. Sabrina poster from 1954.
William Holden, Audrey Hepburn and Billy Wilder enjoy a friendly meal during their off time while filming the 1954 movie Sabrina. by Mark Shaw, 1953
William Holden and Audrey Hepburn. Photograph by Mark Shaw, 1953
Humphrey Bogart was a last minute replacement for Cary Grant. Bogart and William Holden couldn’t stand each other. Bogart disapproved of Audrey Hepburn while Holden fell in love with her. Bogart got $300000, Holden got $150000, and Hepburn only $15000. Asked how he liked working with Hepburn, Bogart replied: “It’s OK, if you don’t mind to make a dozen takes.”
Hepburn learning her lines for Sabrina – the script was still being written during the filming.
Audrey Hepburn dancing with director Billy Wilder on the set of Sabrina, 1953 Mark Shaw
Edith Head drawings for Hepburn’s costumes in Sabrina
Playing records in her hired apartment on Wilshire Boulevard. Photograph by Mark Shaw.
Audrey having her hair washed during the filming of Sabrina, photo by Mark Shaw.
Audrey Hepburn in her Sabrina dressing room. Photographs by Mark Shaw, 1953
Audrey Hepburn in her LA apartment during the filming of Sabrina in 1953.
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