Champagne Safari (VHS, 1998)

This movie has the feel of a home movie and was filmed by a dear California friend of Rita's who was visiting her during the time she was married to Prince Aly Khan. What I like most was the casual view of Rita, not the Hollywood glamour. She seems to be enjoying the fact that her friends are with her and she is playful in front of the camera. If you like Rita the person and want to have a peek at her in real life you'll enjoy this film, even the narration is fun, but don't expect slick Hollywood film quality. She was the first Hollywood Princess before Grace Kelly; Rita is very gracious during the lavish welcoming ceremonies as she and Aly travel across north Africa to meet his Muslim people. But she seems bouyant and relieved to get away from all the attention when she and her friends board the boat to leave for America at the end. I am a portrait artist, that is why I bought this film, and I mostly enjoy the chance to peek at a person's "real" life.
Chris Osborne