Robert J. Avrech: Emmy Award winning screenwriter. Religious Zionist. Republican. Movie fanatic. Gun owner. Helplessly and hopelessly in love with my wife since age nine.
Audrey Hepburn visits Sophia Loren and her husband, producer Carlo Ponti in Switzerland.
During Christmas 1957, Sophia Loren and her husband Carlo Ponti rented a villa in Switzerland. Their neighbors were Audrey Hepburn and her husband actor Mel Ferrer.
One day, while Mel was away for work, Audrey invited us to lunch. To get to their house we had to walk along a trail surrounded on both sides by the peaceful, silent snow. It was like being in a fairy tale. The chalet was very beautiful, luminous, all decorated in white, set on a hill overlooking the lake. Audrey was dressed in white too, as was the table, on which she’d placed a few flowers and lots of candles. It was the height of elegance.
Sophia Loren, 1955
“This place is enchanting,” I said. And she answered lightly: “I need solitude and beauty…”
We chatted amicably, talking about movies, friends we had in common. We took a tour of the house. Then we sat down at the table. In came the appetizer, or so I thought upon seeing it. A leaf of lettuce, a curl of fresh cheese topped by a smidgen of raspberry compote. In the plate next to it, a crisp roll, bite size. The conversation was pleasant, the raspberry compote even more so, but when the help came back to take our plates away, Audrey got up from the table and with one of her airy, delicate, perfect smiles, she said:
“I ate too much.”
Our lunch was over.
Diplomatically, I said: “It was so much, and all so delicious!”
I was dying of hunger, and as soon as we got home I made myself a sandwich.
I’m sorry but that rather ruins my opinion of Ms. Hepburn. It is one thing to have issues with food, but it really is quite self absorbed and narcissistic to serve a piece of lettuce to guests invited for lunch. But Sophia’s comment ‘everything was so wonderful’ was hilarious.
I’ve always loved Audrey’s poise and style. Knowing about her early years from her son’s biography of her, however, I do not find this story funny. She starved, essentially, during the war years, and it took a serious toll on her system. I don’t believe she was ever able to really eat ‘normally’ again, both for physical and psychological reasons (Karen may have a different perspective, just imo). Charade is still one of my favorite movies.
Thanks so much for your comment. I read the same book and agree that Audrey probably had some issues with food. It’s interesting, but Loren and Hepburn both starved during the war. But their relationship to food was entirely different. I also think that simple biology has a great deal to do with how and what people eat.
In any case, a belated mazal tov to you and yours! We look forward to flying to your hometown and eating lots and lots of food (at least I will, Karen, not so much) at the chuppah.
I like “Charade”. But I love “How to Steal a Million (1966)” Her chemistry with Peter O’Toole is amazing.
Well, Audrey was skinny – to the point of almost emaciation! Was it here? probably – I saw a photo of Sophia with the caption quoting her that she owed her figure to spaghetti
Yes, I posted the spaghetti quote in a past Friday Photos. Food is an important character in Loren’s memoir. She even published a cook book. During the war, she, her mother and sister, were close to starvation on several occasions.
Pearl Bailey, may she rest in peace, also published a cookbook. Audrey Hepburn should have provided more for her guests, but Sophia Loren shouldn’t have complained, in a biography the whole world would read, about the inadequate meal.
Today is the fast of the 9th of Av. I wish all the religious Jew, on this website, who are fasting today, an easy one.
I’m sorry but that rather ruins my opinion of Ms. Hepburn. It is one thing to have issues with food, but it really is quite self absorbed and narcissistic to serve a piece of lettuce to guests invited for lunch. But Sophia’s comment ‘everything was so wonderful’ was hilarious.
No doubt wherever the shade of Hepburn resides, it is pained by the loss of your regard.
No. It’s pained by Sophia Loren telling the world about it. Hepburn should have provided more for her guests.
I have no doubt that the shade of Loren, wherever it resides, could not give a damn about your opinion of her.
I’ve always loved Audrey’s poise and style. Knowing about her early years from her son’s biography of her, however, I do not find this story funny. She starved, essentially, during the war years, and it took a serious toll on her system. I don’t believe she was ever able to really eat ‘normally’ again, both for physical and psychological reasons (Karen may have a different perspective, just imo). Charade is still one of my favorite movies.
Dahozho:
Thanks so much for your comment. I read the same book and agree that Audrey probably had some issues with food. It’s interesting, but Loren and Hepburn both starved during the war. But their relationship to food was entirely different. I also think that simple biology has a great deal to do with how and what people eat.
In any case, a belated mazal tov to you and yours! We look forward to flying to your hometown and eating lots and lots of food (at least I will, Karen, not so much) at the chuppah.
I like “Charade”. But I love “How to Steal a Million (1966)” Her chemistry with Peter O’Toole is amazing.
What about PARIS WHEN IT SIZZLES?
Very funny story.
Kishke:
I laughed out loud when I read this anecdote.
Well, Audrey was skinny – to the point of almost emaciation! Was it here? probably – I saw a photo of Sophia with the caption quoting her that she owed her figure to spaghetti
Bill:
Yes, I posted the spaghetti quote in a past Friday Photos. Food is an important character in Loren’s memoir. She even published a cook book. During the war, she, her mother and sister, were close to starvation on several occasions.
Pearl Bailey, may she rest in peace, also published a cookbook. Audrey Hepburn should have provided more for her guests, but Sophia Loren shouldn’t have complained, in a biography the whole world would read, about the inadequate meal.
Today is the fast of the 9th of Av. I wish all the religious Jew, on this website, who are fasting today, an easy one.