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My Fair Lady (1964) - Full Reaction (Patreon)

Published:
2025-02-13 04:09:26
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2026-06
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Oh audrey you queen! This classic musical was cute and charming, even though he kept calling her v mean names I know deep down he loved her. Right? Loverly was stuck in my head for 2 days but maybe another bit of an unsatisfying feeling at the end.

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[Full Reaction] My Fair Lady (1964)

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Wes

Last time I saw this I was a kid. Another classic for Cassie 🙌

Chris Thom

Woah two Audreys in a row. She's trending now.

Rick Rodriguez

Confession. I have never seen this movie. I just know Doctor Doolitle is in it.

Zane From Canada

You want to see Audrey in a different light? Check out Wait Until Dark (1967). It would be great for an October fright night. 😄

Choof

Never watched this before, looks like one I'll wait for the YT edit. Musicals and especially ones nearly 3 hours long just weren't meant for me haha but I hope everyone enjoys the reaction

TheSingulatarian

It takes place after the turn of the twentieth century just before WWI. The height of the British Empire.

James Melton

This is a wonderful story and an excellent version of it. Harrison is fantastic in it.

TheSingulatarian

It isn't her singing. Marni Nixon is overdubbing her.

Michael West

So glad you enjoyed it. It truly is a classic. The movie adaptation of the Broadway musical of the same name. The original source is a 1913 play called Pygmalion written by George Bernard Shaw. The ending of the play actually provides a little more closure that you would have liked. She basically does say what you wished she had said to Henry. You asked about her singing, all but one of her songs in this movie were dubbed by someone else. She did, however, sing Moon River is Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Chris Thom
>>164544201

Haven't seen this yet either but I think there were clips of it in Wall-E. lol. That's all I know.

Chris Thom
>>164544015

Think that may've been the first scary movie I ever saw. Used to be on cable quite a bit.

2-Can

Based on the GB Shaw play Pygmalion, which is named for a Greek artist who fell in love with his creation (I think it was a statue). So yes, he does love her, but he also realizes that he's not fully prepared for that (as he is with everything else he does).

Mark Vaderr

Looking forward to this reaction, Cassie. We all knew you'd love it. Just think, if they had cast Julie Andrews instead of Audrey Hepburn, then Andrews doesn't get the part for Mary Poppins. I'm sure you loved Professor Higgins' view of women. LOL "I shall never let a woman in my life."

TheSingulatarian

"What's a Blaggard" Why a Ner Do Well of course.

Chris Thom
>>164544201

Ohhh whoops. That's right. Never seen that one either. I DID see Funny Lady last year though.

zynjams

this is why I watched PiB. the great movies. My Fair Lady. classic

Rose
>>164544201

How about Funny Face, Chris? Another Audrey Hepburn musical but with Fred Astaire.

TheSingulatarian

I wasn't sure she was going to like it in the beginning since Higgins is so mean to her, but I think the Embassy Ball won her over.

Carol_White

That might be the worst fucking ending of any movie I've ever seen.

TheSingulatarian

Part of what killed the big Road Show musicals was in the 1960s they became a bit too long. This probably would have worked better for you if you took a break and split into two parts.

TheSingulatarian

Rex Harrison is in The Ghost and Mrs. Muir which is a romance and Harrison is not quite so verbally abusive in that. Also check out Cleopatra and Doctor Dolittle. For more Rex Harrison.

Chris Clarke

My old secondary (high) school used to have a very accomplished drama department, and laid on regular performances that people could pay to see involving the students. Pygmalian was one of these, and my Mum (a teacher there at the time) gave them her wedding dress for the Eliza Doolittle roll.

Clarence Newman
>>164554670

That doesn't bode well, Carol. I tried to watch My Fair Lady a few months ago and quit after the first 30 minutes. Based on your comment about the ending, I'm hoping the middle 2 hours is a little better.

Keith Brown

Lots of calls for "Wait Until Dark" ! Great suspense movie that's got a great Oscar nominated performance from Audrey. This one Cassie and Carly can watch together without having to cover your eyes, it does have some scares but no gross out violent scenes !

Chris Thom
>>164544201

I just haven't seen that many older musicals tbh. Easier to list the ones I have seen: Chicago, Funny Lady, West Side Story, Mary Poppins, Sound of Music, Singin' in the rain...and Newsies. If that counts. And that's it. All That Jazz is one I definitely want to see but I can't find it anywhere. Have also seen clips of the one with the redheaded brothers dancing by a cabin on YouTube. And vaguely remember Fred Astaire with a cartoon mouse.

Dean Holt
>>164554670

Carol, I think the worst ending I’ve ever seen was Gone Girl, seriously dropped the rating from around a 8 to 4/10 for me. Although I’ve not seen this before.

William

I don't wish to burst your bubble, but let me 1st say I am a huge Audrey Hepburn fan. Hepburn did not sing the songs, it was a professional singer called Marni Nixon. Although Hepburn did have a very good voice the studio decided to voice her over with Marni Nixon. This is why the film was completely snubbed at the Oscars that year. Hepburn was never told of this and later stated she would of never accepted the part if she knew. If you research deap enough, there are clips of Hepburn actually singing the songs in a recordeing studio, very good imho, but the film studio decided otherwise. I only mention this as you mentioned a few times what a wonderful voice Hepburn had, but it was not her singing

Chris Thom
>>164567665

Is it true she threatened to walk off set and not come back? Heard that somewhere but not sure if it's factual.

clutchkman

I like "just you wait 'enry 'iggins, just you wait" and the gradual transition to "I could've daaaaaaaaanced all night."

Chris Clarke

I've just downloaded the soundtrack to my Spotify.👌

Chris Clarke

Cassie mimicking some of the accents is priceless!🤣 And I need cheering up today, so thanks.

zynjams

they could of edited all the dads parts. except the 5 pound scene. because it was brought up later.

Mike LL

I knew Cassie would struggle with the ending. I did when I first saw it as a child way back in the 1960's! I've never liked the ending. In fact, even just a few years later, with the women equality movement really starting to picking up steam, the ending couldn't even have been contemplated! But there is so much to love about this movie. The music, the performances, the sets, the costumes, everything is sublime. But not perfect. I grew up listening to my parents copy of the original Broadway cast recording with Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison. I've always thought it was a crime that Julie didn't get the part. That was a big mistake on the part of Jack Warner. And I think Disney would have waited months or even a year for Julie to make Mary Poppins. Look how long he waited for rights to the book, as shown in Saving Mr. Banks. So it was never to be. Both movies, Lady and Poppins, are great, and who knows how they would have turned out if Julie starred in both. Poppins would be different with more time for Disney to tinker with it. Audrey was great, but with Julie in both movies, oh wouldn't it be loverly. The original Broadway cast recording of Julie singing I Could Have Danced All Night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZBHzz2IxHg If you want to see her singing it on the Ed Sullivan show go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QKw9-cV3i0 Where does Cassie get her ideas and phrases?: "He's Pretty Womaning her!" just killed me! Cassie, everyone you've ever seen on screen in every musical you've ever seen is lip syncing. It is just how they perfect the movie and part of the process. And you are right about the movie's length. A little too long, they could have cut here and there, but it is the classic we have today and it's a great one even with it's flaws.

Mojo One Thousand
>>164567665

I had a look and wanted to find out how much she did sing... it appears Audrey Hepburn's voice is used for a couple of pieces, mainly the songs using the hockey voice. Edit: It should be Cockney not hockey... damn auto-correct, I have left original intact so the remaining thread continues to make sense.

Mojo One Thousand

Between this and "Mary Poppins" there are two big movies 1964 with non-Brits doing pretty rough Cockney accents... Dick Van Dyke's is probably the worse of the two... or at least more universally disliked. You not wrong Cassie, it is a bit long and the dad songs could have been cut down or cut. The ending also seemed crammed in "Pretty woman" is loosely based on the same story this is based on, which is "Pygmalion". There is a TV show called "Selfie" that was pretty good based around "My Fair Lady". It starred Karen Gillan ("Nebula" in the MCU) and John Cho ("Sulu" in the Pine Trek movies) in the lead roles. It was cancelled far too soon, only one seaon, but short for broadcast TV standards. Also, love the call-out to "Wedding Crashes" with the "Meatloaf!" comment when "Higgins" was bellowing at his mother.

Mike LL
>>164544201

Ahh Chicago. Paid $1.50 to see it at a bargain theater. Walked out in the first 30 minutes, and I've never watched any of it since. What a turkey! But I can reccommend any Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers musical and South Pacific wholeheartedly! Even Hello Dolly with it's flaws.

Mike LL
>>164544015

She should watch Wait Until Dark right away, since it is a thriller, not a horror movie. Just . . . wait until dark, not till October!!!

Chris Thom
>>164577921

Saving Mr. Banks was pretty solid. Great performances, amazing score. Heartfelt, sad, hopeful, historical, all that. Always assumed it would be very difficult to bring Walt to the screen but I think they nailed it there. Curious if Cassie has seen it. Considering where she's leaving for today I would assume 'yes' but not sure.

Mike LL

George Cukor directed. Other must see movies he directed: The Philadelphia Story (Grant, Hepburn, Stewart), Adam's Rib and Pat and Mike (both with Hepburn/Tracy), and The Women (Shearer, Crawford, Russell, et all).

Chris Thom
>>164581413

There's a movie this year called Anora that got nominated for some Oscars that's loosely based on Pygmalion and Pretty Woman.

Art of Free Speech

I'm going to say simply, Cassie, you have to learn what it looks like when someone "doth protest too much, methinks." She loves him. He loves her. He will never be the effusive type, but for him to go from "I will never let a woman in my life" to "I've grown accustomed to her face" is a PRODIGIOUS shift in attitude, and it was her SOUL that changed him. He even said so! He said "I can't turn on your soul." It's like the 10cc song from the 1970s "I'm Not in Love" where all the guy does is tell the girl how much he's not in love, when CLEARLY he's in love. That was Higgins the entire movie, telling us how much he didn't love her while knowing that he did. I feel like you either miss this, or can't acknowledge it. In many ways, I wonder if a changed man is just not in your wheelhouse to understand. In Officer and a Gentleman, Zach goes through a huge change as well, as you seemed to miss that, too. Just as Paula changed Zach, Eliza changed Higgins. It's just harder for certain men to show when they've been hurt and neglected their entire lives by the opposite sex.

Chris Thom
>>164544201

I did see Hail Caesar! and I'm wondering if South Pacific was one of the movies they were satirizing.

Mike LL
>>164585407

So true, and the whole point of the song I Could Have Danced All Night was about her being in love with him. I think I saw that clearly for the first time with this watch, ha ha. It's been a long time since I watched this, it's amazing the perspective that maturity grants.

2-Can
>>164567665

"You do that, you go to the box, you know. Two minutes, by yourself, you know and you feel shame, you know. And then you get free."

Jeff

I wondered what Cassie would think of this movie, it is not the type of romantic movie that she thought it was going to be. I also wonder if it will occur to Cassie that the song Freddie sings outside Higgins' home is the song that Braden Fraser sings to Alicia Silverstone in Blast From the Past about simply being happy to be on the street where she lives.

Jason Scott

This is a very well-made film, obviously - but it is stretched as a two-act, full-blown musical. It's very much committed to the original "Pygmalion" story, which is problematic for a modern audience, and is more "cerebral" - about language and identity and class. George Bernard Shaw wrote "Pygmalion" and he is one of the most important English language playwrights, but VERY intellectual. I'd equate him to someone like Aaron Sorkin - always having a "message" that was political and socially relevant. Obviously, though, when you add musical numbers and Hollywood/Broadway glitz - the play originated in the US - it becomes a bit of a mess, albeit one with SO MANY classic and wonderful songs. The ending makes more "sense" in the play because they don't imply that Eliza falls in love with Higgins. As others have mentioned, Audrey Hepburn was not only miscast - she does her best, of course, but wasn't a strong singer, and is certainly not passable as "lower class" - but she was also handed the role because someone didn't think Julie Andrews would ever be a star. Julie - who has been very gracious about it - instead got the lead in "Mary Poppins" and won the Oscar, when Audrey wasn't even nominated thought "MFL" got like 16 other nominations, and Rex Harrison won for Best Actor. Years later, I saw Marni Nixon in a concert, and she had a playful song called "I Could Have Played That Part" - sung to the tune of "I Could Have Danced All Night" - playfully complaining that people never let her act, they always had to "use another actress to do the acting" for the parts. Marni also did Natalie Wood's voice in "West Side Story" and Deborah Kerr in "The King and I" - a secret weapon of musical directors for generations. I always wanted to play Freddy, but I'm too old now - someday I hope to play either Higgins or Pickering or even ol Alfred P. Doolittle. The songs are GLORIOUS.

Jason Scott
>>164581413

While Van Dyke's accent is 'orrible, as he would admit, "Mary Poppins" is essentially a cartoon and it's much more forgivable. MFL is about LANGUAGE ITSELF, and the lead actress can't actually technically use her voice well enough - either speaking or singing - to pull it off successfully.

Jason Scott
>>164575028

Except he has two of the best songs....agreed in terms of the story tho. He's more relevant in the play version.

Jason Scott
>>164567665

lol - I think they mean "Cockney" - it's her voice in some "talk singing" moments, but anything with a melody is Marni Nixon

sharkey197

The length of the film is partially accounted for by the fact thar MFL was considered the holy scripture of broadway. They didn't dare mess with it or change it. Warners paid over a million dollars for the rights which was an enormous sum back then.

Clay F

I think plainly he didn't love her. I am not familiar with the source material, but based on the depiction in this movie musical, he wanted her as an object that he had grown "accustomed to" ("used to"). No great love story here. I agree that the movie was too long (at least for me). The movie then ends in a "whimper." I could have done with a couple less scenes of the father. That must have been an idiot who willed the father an annual stipend of 4,000 pounds. The father is such a loser (though the actor nominated for an Oscar). A pleasant surprise was Mrs. Higgins (Prof Higgins' mother) as a character turned out to be relatively good. Audrey Hepburn is always beautiful to me. Yet, the early Liza was not my favorite depiction of Audrey, even if arguably good acting. I preferred her in Roman Holiday (watched many times) and Breakfast at Tiffany's. While this movie musical was nominated for a whopping 12 Oscars (winning 8), Audrey not among them (maybe b/c she sang only 1 or 2 songs). This a first watch for me. I am not a fan of movie musicals, instead preferring to watch a musical on stage in person. Singin' in the Rain is the only movie musical that I truly like, though haven't watched that many. I agree that this movie musical had the feeling of a play at times, which I guess is typical for a musical. I thought Rex Harrison is absolutely awesome. To me, his performance even rivaled that of Gene Kelly in Singin' in the Rain. Rex Harrison gave no prolific dancing but he has a movement about him, and is great w/dialogue. I also very much like the setting -- early 20th century London -- w/striking depictions - the streets, clothes/costumes, flowers, choreography, house interior, etc. Truly amazing. Great cinematography.

Uncle Phoenix

Finally Finished: I think that Cassie is missing the fact that Freddie and his Mother BOTH treated Eliza like Dirt. And they Both were Thinking everything that Higgins had said about Eliza. AND Eliza and Higgins both had to adjust to Eliza’s NEW Identity. How could they know what they would FEEL; when they didn’t know if they were going to succeed. They Both changed; and they Both became IMPRINTED by the other. How could they Know What to Feel.

Clay F

From Google AI when asked did Audrey Hepburn sing in My Fair Lady: "No, Audrey Hepburn didn't sing all of the songs in the 1964 film My Fair Lady. Marni Nixon sang most of the songs ... My Fair Lady producer Jack L. Warner originally planned to dub Hepburn's voice. Hepburn was initially upset, but later apologized, and decided not to appear in another musical unless she could sing herself. Nixon was an American soprano who sang for many actresses in musical films. Her work on My Fair Lady was kept a secret from audiences until 1981. Hepburn did sing ... 'Just You Wait' and one line of 'I Could Have Danced All Night'."

zynjams
>>164575028

for the play yes, get me to the church on time is a catchy tune. but it doesnt fit with the flow of the movie. not once did I think, gee I wonder what happened to dear old dad

Scott Macaulay

I do not like this movie. AN unpopular uncle made me and my sister sit through the entire 3 hours when I was 8. I'm sure it's a good movie and very deserving of accolades. I can't eat pancakes for the same reason. I was forced to eat an entire stack as a child and now i can't get a pancake past my lips without gagging. That's all. Glad I could share. I hope you all can enjoy this film without emotional damage lol

Clay F
>>164616016

That's an interesting anecdote. Not good nostalgia, but "bad" nostalgia or "reverse" nostalgia.

2-Can

Higgins is the original Sheldon Cooper

John Liebling

Cassie, the beautiful voice you've been listening to is Marine Nixon. She dubbed many singing parts. One of the few parts she was given, where the audience saw her face, was as a nun in The Sound of Music. I won't spoil other musicals. There is in fact on youtube Audrey using her real voice. And she isn't that bad. She worked very hard, but it still doesn't approach the brilliance of Nixon. And as I've said before, Oklahoma is the musical for you, Cassie. So many romantic songs. And the ending will be much more satisfying, compared to My Fair Lady. Mary Poppins - Julie Andrews, the great singer in the Sound of Music, played the Eliza Doolittle part on stage. But she was an unknown before Mary Poppins. And if she was given the My Fair Lady part, she would have Mary Poppins.

Tyler Foster

With Breakfast at Tiffany's and My Fair Lady down, Charade can't be far behind, can it?

John Liebling

In real life there was a 21-year difference between Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn. Hepburn was already 35 when My Fair Lady came out in 1964 - same year as Mary Poppins. Sadly, Hepburn lived only 63 years. She died from stomach cancer. One other reason why Cassie wouldn't like Rex Harrison. He was a serial divorcer...Married 6 times.

John Liebling

Mickey Rooney is a great actor, long career dancing with teen Judy Garland, but his Asian role in Breakfast at Tiffany's is incredible off putting.

Mojo One Thousand
>>164567665

Yes, it was Cockney not hockey... damn auto-correct, serves myself right using my phone, late at night and not proof reading.

Alan Jones

Starting with Bernard Shaw himself, I don't think the intentionn was for the relationhip between Eliza and Higgin to be romantic. But the resulting conflicting cues in the later adaptations are like, maybe not everybody got the memo. I believe the intent was that the two of them find a comfort zone with one another, so that Eliza has a home and an environment from which to continue growing, and the Prof. can be content with her presence, as he's grown accustomed to her. He's more avuncular than romantic, and can continue his confirmed bachelorhood with a touch of elegance in the house. I think Shaw himself said that she would go on to marry Freddy, and that Col. Pickering would back her in opening a florist shop, as was mentioned a time or two in the film. But where would they live after hours? Here with Higgins? Or in a small suite above the shop? Hmm, that suddenly sounds like trouble ahead. Oh, well. Happy ever after until it isn't anymore. C'est la vie.

Chris Clarke
>>164620507

Hadn't made the comparison before. Highly intelligent but lacks empathy. Any other similarities you'd thought of between them?

John Liebling
>>164622537

Not one of Fred Astaire's best, but I wouldn't mind watch along with Cassie as she reacts to Funny Face...with Astaire and Hepburn.

James Melton

So much to unpack about the people. Her dream as a flower girl is to be warm. Think about that. The poor froze through the winter. It is a wonderful stage with beautiful songs but the reality was terribly hard.

2-Can
>>164623282

A rumbling groundswell of support for Always has been seen here for a couple years now.

2-Can
>>164620507

Seems like some of his lines, if not duplicated, are at least emulated on TBBT.

Planner

It was entertaining to me how much Cassie was *not* having Higgins at all. A counter point to "why can't a woman be more like a man", if Higgins had insulted Pickering as much as he insulted Eliza then he would have punched him.

Above Average Dave
>>164623282

ALWAYS is perhaps Spielberg's best "small" movie. Cassie would love as Audrey takes the form Cassie often refers her as. Great cast and adaptation of a WWII story, only instead of B-25 bomber pilots we have pilots water-bombing wildfires. I thought Dreyfuss was somewhat miscast but he was still a big star then and did a good job trying to pull off chemistry with Holly Hunter John Goodman steals every scene he's in. And I truly thought Brad Johnson (RIP) became a star in that film, but bad management and type casting sent him down the wrong path (still great work in FLIGHT OF THE INTRUDER). Just one of those movies that fills you with warmth and hope by the end. (WHY CAN'T WE HAVE NICE THINGS LIKE THIS ANYMORE Hwood!?! 🤣)

Maria Torres
>>164622014

Here is the Youtube for "I Could Have Danced All Night": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KGMA-ghPUA There is a whole tangle concerning Hepburn's casting instead of Julie Andrews, who originated the Broadway role; what it cost Hepburn professionally when Nixon was placed to sing for her, and how Hepburn felt about it; and how Andrews never held anything against Hepburn, and became friends with her. Be Kind Rewind goes through it all: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unqQM3nuO-o&t=73s. Both Andrews and Hepburn (and Nixon too) had more class than any of the people around this production.

Maria Torres

I need to shout out the cast here: As Pickering, the endless charming Wilfred Hyde White, a supporting actor with a very long and impressive resume. Though he usually played variations of this avuncular, slightly clueless sweetheart, he could turn all of that into cold calculation when needed. The wonderful, magnificent, amazing Gladys Cooper as Mama Higgins! Also a veteran actor with a long resume, and an absolute beauty in her youth. She often played very vicious, cold and evil mothers/aunts/guardians. Catch her playing against Bette Davis in "Now, Voyager". But this movie was my intro to her, and I've always loved her. She is marvelous in, I think, two episodes of "Twilight Zone". And, and, and! He who originated the Broadway Alfie Doolittle, the irrepressible, irreplaceable, endlessly, effortlessly charming Stanley Holloway. Yet another veteran who knew how to impart energy to everyone around him. He acts alongside Alec Guinness in "The Lavender Hill Mob" and is just, so lovely. He lent his voice to many projects too, and gave us a fun rendition of "With Her Head Tucked Underneath Her Arm", a fun-creepy song about the ghost of Anne Boleyn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dSvFnFlUbIk This is powerhouse casting, helmed by George Cukor, about whom mention is made above. Also. Costumes. Cecil Beaton. He also clothed the cast in "Gigi", a story now seen as problematic, but which recognizes about itself more than modern audiences seem to have the patience to understand. All of these actors are worth getting to know more, and I do hope you will, and that you'll recognize them in productions as you go.

Thomas Thompson

OK, I have a great deal to say all of it in consequential. I’m sorry if the microphone screws this up I couldn’t possibly type all of this out first this is a musical remake of George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion you might like the later non-musical remake educating Rita Starring Michael Caine in an award-winning performance. It is the same story in contemporary times with more contemporary sensibilities next, there’s a great deal of satire and my fair lady. Many of the songs and conversations are intended to illustrate the differences between Eliza and Higgins, while Eliza is uneducated, she has much finer feelings while Higgins is far more educated he is clueless about, define her feelings and sensibilities. He is clearly a curmudgeon and a bit of an eccentric. I would agree with you. There’s a bit of ambiguity in the ending and the status of the relationship, though I’ve grown accustomed to her face aside from being a wonderful song and certainly indication of romantic feeling Rex Harrison almost nobody’s idea of a romantic lead the one great exception to this is he plays the romantic lead and the ghost and Mrs. Muir an excellent pre-chick chick flick Audrey Hepburn while they used her voice in the song for Breakfast At Tiffany’s for this film, she didn’t have the range for the more formal classical music so they mixed her soundtrack with that of a professional singer. There was some controversy in that the role was originated by Mary Poppins star Julie Andrews, but they use Audrey Hepburn because at this point Julie Andrews was not a big star. The two women in fact were good friends now while I like my fair lady quite a bit I’m much prefer funny face 1950s musical starring Audrey Hepburn, the legendary Fred Astaire and Kay Thompson, the principal from Grease. 1950s musical set in Paris it’s smart, funny and self-aware. It makes fun of the fashion industry beat next and intellectuals like Jean Paul Sartre. The still photographs were done by. The fashion photographer RichardAvidon. Who was the first to take fashion models out of the studio and into the streets of Paris in New York he was a and still is a legendary figure and made stars of Dovima and Susie Parker, both of whom have very small roles in the film. I would highly recommend it and I think you would enjoy it even more than my fair lady though again Fred Astaire is much older than Audrey Hepburn in this film. which I think in part is just part of the times, but part because these men were still big stars and brought people into theaters.

Alex Villarreal

"Why can't a woman...be like me?" seems to be Professor Higgins' dilemma. But it is a bit tongue-in-cheek.

Nolofinwe

Watch this when I was younger. It is a wonderful Hollywood musical one of the most beloved . Hepburn is amazing. Rex Harrison is just terrific the entire cast of the music. But you can’t go wrong when you based it on a story by George Bernard Shaw Oh, and one more thing you definitely want to check out Rex Harrison as Julius Caesar in Cleopatra You should see soon as possible. It’s not only a great movie it was a cultural phenomenon of the day. When you get the itch for another musical For you and Carly remember “ Brigadoon”

Ted Little
>>164623282

According to Shaw, who wrote Pygmalion, the play on which My Fair Lady is based, Higgins is twenty years older than Eliza and so the age difference between Harrison and Hepburn is almost exactly right.

Jason Dolan

This is my first time actually watching this and it is good but no way it is better than Mary Poppins or Dr. Strangelove. I’m surprised Audrey Hepburn was not nominated for Best Actress and that Rex Harrison won Best Actor - he’s good but what Peter Sellers did in Dr. Strangelove was next level.

Troy Silvester

I have treasured this movie my entire life, and I am old. On the street where you live, is one of all time favorite songs, but it isn't the only one from this movie. Yes, Marni Nixon did the voice over for Hepburn, which I hear she was not too happy about. She did that on many of the musicals of that day, most notably to me, The King and I, for Deborah Kerr. I do hope you get around to watching Sabrina for Hepburn, with Wm Holden and Humphrey Bogart... and my favorite Romance movie, "An Affair to Remember". Nixon did the voice over for Deborah Kerr in that one as well. I love the theme song, sung by Vic Damone. One last thing Higgins was a confirmed bachelor and obviously a narcissist. Liza was a threat to all the barriers he had put up to fend off dealing with women in general and especially, love. Focusing on that, better explains his behavior toward her.

Chris Thom
>>164623282

Always could've been pretty great. But yeah I think the lack of chemistry between Dreyfuss and Holly Hunter hurt the premise and themes.

Chris Thom
>>164734837

Just curious but do you think My Fair Lady would've worked as a non-musical? Was just thinking of the Les Misérables movie from '97 for some reason.

Mike LL
>>164786994

Can't wait for Cassie to get around to the original Sabrina. She has said it is on her potential PPOTM list. And potential Love month list also.

Mike LL

Forgot to mention that we finally saw Cassie sit through a (small) Overture at last! And an intermission as well! Entr'acte = the interval between two acts

Thomas Thompson
>>164734837

Well educating Rita, which was made in the 1980s with Michael Caine was a modern retelling of the story and that’s not a musical, but it is very different in tone. I’m not sure if you took the exact same film and removed the musical numbers if it would work as well in part because the music takes the place of a lot of dialogue. Also, the film has that quality of unreality that a lot of musicals have the lives of working glass people in London in the Edwardian period were not so picturesque.

Maria Torres
>>164764504

No, Burton is Mark Antony. For me, the Caesar section is so much more satisfying, but the whole package is great. Special shout out to Roddy MacDowell as Octavian.

Maria Torres
>>164734837

There is a non-musical of the story before "Educating Rita": it's the original play by George Bernard Shaw, "Pygmalion"; in the 1930s, there was a movie version with Leslie Howard as Higgins and Wendy Hiller as Eliza. Very much worth watching. This has the same ending as the musical. The play ends differently, and Shaw was never happy with the movie adaptation choice.

Thomas Thompson
>>164734837

I’ve never read or seen any version of pygmalion but I like Leslie Howard quite a lot so I’d be very interested in seeing that Leslie Howard has a small role in Powell and Pressburger’s film the 49th parallel he also appears in a wonderful wartime film called Pimpernel Jones both very enjoyable films

Nolofinwe
>>164805324

That is a terrific movie and Jack Lemmon and Peter Falk are off the charts funny

Nolofinwe
>>164764504

no Rex Harrison was Cesar Burton was Mark Anthony the star crossed lover and Roddy McDowall was Octavian Julius's nephew

Wally Hartshorn

Although her character was 21, Audrey Hepburn was actually 35 when this was filmed, while Rex Harrison was 56.

Chris Thom
>>164835539

Rizzo actress from Grease was supposed to be 18 but she was actually 34. Lol. Hollywood definitely has a history of that. As a kid you're like 'I'm really supposed to be that mature in 3 years?"

Rick Williams

My first time watching also. I enjoyed it. Musicals are not something I normally watch, but it worked. It was a little long. Almost three hours was a bit much. And Cassie he didn't say get my slippers. He said where are my slippers. He is just the kind of person who has trouble showing their feelings. The more he likes someone the gruffer he is with them because he doesn't want to admit that he actually cares for them. It will take him time to get comfortable with her and as he does, he will be able to start expressing his true feelings for her. Don't be so hard on him. If he didn't like her, he wouldn't even pay any attention to her or be upset when she left.

Maria Torres
>>164835539

That's okay: the original Eliza, in the first production of "Pygmalion", in 1914 was Mrs. Patrick Campbell, who was 49 (!) at the time, and Shaw wrote the part specifically for her.

Maria Torres
>>164773161

The whole dubbing fiasco messed up Hepburn's chances at nomination. Truly not fair. For me, this movie is in no way like "Mary Poppins" but not any better or worse. They're after very different things (so is "Dr. Strangelove" for that matter), and it's really hard to rate these three excellent but different movies against each other.

Maria Torres
>>164734837

I love Howard, too, so elegant, fine and precise. He's lovely in "Smilin' Through", and there's a "Berkely Square", which involved time travel and a very delicate structure which he navigates perfectly. And he's also in "The Scarlet Pimpernel", with Merle Oberon looking absolutely beautiful; and Raymond Massey as a perfect antagonist.

Keith Jones

While several have noted her voice was not used for the singing, she sang "Moon River" in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" Henry Mancini wrote it especially for her and her range, the studio tried to nix it but both of them fought for the song. After she saw the final cut she wrote him, I really believe she was happy to show she could sing. "Dear Henry, I have just seen our picture- BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S- this time with your score. A movie without music is a little bit like an aeroplane without fuel. However beautifully the job is done, we are still on the ground and in a world of reality. Your music has lifted us all up and sent us soaring. Everything we cannot say with words or show with action you have expressed for us. You have done this with so much imagination, fun and beauty. You are the hippest of cats- and most sensitive of composers! Thank you, dear Hank. (handwritten) Lots of love Audrey"

Mark Vaderr

Loved the reaction, Cassie. I knew that Henry Higgins would rub you the wrong way. That being said, Rex Harrison is fantastic in this movie as Higgins. Downright hilarious. Audrey Hepburn just shines in this film, and Wilfrid Hyde-White is delightful as Pickering. I cannot erase a single song from this movie, although "I'm Gettin' Married in the Morning" could be a shorter scene. I really wish that Carly was watching this along with you, but that's alright. I thought we would get a Cassie Epilogue with how this movie ends, alas, we do not. Thank you for watching this classic, Cassie. It was most enjoyable. You liked it, but didn't love it? Well, I'm dashed!

Grad
>>164608952

"I thought Rex Harrison is absolutely awesome." +1 Very amusing character and portrayal.

3dbadboy1

A beautiful strangely romantic and achingly longing movie with Rex Harrison and Gene Tierney (yes, that's a woman) called The Ghost and Mrs. Muir.

Above Average Dave

This is another film that loses a bit in translation—in this case, from Shaw's play—because of context. First, the significant age difference: Shaw didn't begin his writing career until he was almost 50. So the idea of the significantly older man paired with a younger woman was in part his own fantasy, and then experience as he became more famous and successful and younger women threw themselves at him. However, this older man-younger woman pairing was also a very real and accepted component of the upper-class Victorian lifestyle in marriages and mistresses. Shaw, while seen as a "modern" thinker (and a not-so-closeted Marxist), was also very much a Victorian and a snob. And England remained, until after WWII, very much a hard-class/station society. That society was deeply intertwined with some very different, widespread male-female relationships, especially in marriage. The predominant one:: - Strategic Marriages, which were often between members of two noble families, or, in the latter half of the 19th Century, a member of a family with great title but not the money to match it with a respectable millionaire-type (Hello Downton Abbey). In these unions, "growing into love" rather than falling in love was expected to happen. And if it didn't, the assumption was that discreet adultery would take place, even though the essential components of marriage, including social support of the spouse and making heirs, went on with no breaks in the public façade. - Arranged Marriages, which still happened between high nobility. Again, the idea of pairing great families to create even greater (and richer and more powerful) families relied strongly on the idea of "a good match growing into love." Marriage for Love was a relatively new concept among the upper classes, though growing in acceptance, as long as one did not stray (or stray far) from one's class. The ultimate pairing of Eliza and Henry Higgins—not nobility but certainly accepted by the upper classes as one of us—is not a possibility at the beginning of the play. She is an experiment, a gutter snipe who Higgins believes he can pass off as a lady with proper training. This is Shaw's commentary on his opinion of rigid class society, the moral fabric of the upper classes, and the great comic undercurrent running through the play (and this movie). But by the end of the play and the movie, the pairing of Eliza and Henry is very much presented as a likely outcome. They are—or are on their way to—growing into love, albeit with the good professor still possessing what we would identify as a strong chauvinistic attitude toward marriage (again, Victorian thinking).

Walter

somehow I have never seen this before. And I don't think it is all that great. I love Audrey Hepburn, and could never say a bad word about her, and really all the cast was good. I didn't find the songs to be all that memorable. The ending was...disappointing. It definitely was overlong - but that's pretty common for musicals at that time (actually, when I consider Wicked, I guess they are overlong today too...) I am glad I crossed that off my movies to watch list, but I would never return to it.

3dbadboy1
>>164884295

There may have been a deal for Stanley Holloway to accept the role of Alfred Doolittle by giving him more screen time because it doesn't really add to the story with that Getting Married scene so long.

Stephen Dias

It was a lazy Saturday afternoon and I finally got around to watching this reaction. My parents were big musical fans and I was familiar with the story and music. I know I saw this movie once, but it was a long long time ago. There are many things I enjoy about this musical. I'm not a big fan of the ending, just like I'm not a big fan of the ending of the 1954 Sabrina (the 1995 remake handled it better, IMO). Like Cassie said, I wanted her to throw his slippers at him again at the end. Cassie did make a good point, though: Higgins missed her and Eliza knows that Higgins missed her.

John A

To answer your question Audrey Hepburn did not sing, she was dubbed over by Marni Nixon for the singing numbers

Scottish Joe
>>164786994

If I remember rightly Marni Nixon also sang for Natalie Wood in West Side Story.....

Mannygogou

Part 2 - the allegory of the damsel in distress, locked up in a tower. Except it's Henry Higgins locked up in a tower all alone. He does enjoy his prison of study and of language and academy. But not knowing the world beyond his domain. Eliza is a knight, starting out as a squire. Learned combat and slew dragons, was received by royalty. She leveled up well beyond her starter level. She was equipped to go out to the larger world but what of Higgins? She came back for Higgins. Part 3 - the allegory of the cave. There once was a cave where people lived looking only at shadows on the wall. They never knew that behind them the source of light is the portal to the real world. Those who break their shackles and go yonder outside, they come to see the bigger world of colors and of brilliance existing outside the cave. But what if they left something important behind?, their friends, their family, loved ones. Those who live in the cave knows nothing else and so they do not leave. It is you who has the facility to come and go, you must go back in and while there, take upon the illusion once again that the cave is all the world. In the movie we saw depictions of several worlds, the world of the street vendors, the world of the races, the world of the Embassy ball, the tower of Higgins. Each is a cave of sorts. By the end Eliza had transcended these small little worlds or caves and is freed of her shackles. She can then pick and choose which world to inhabit...

Chryss Guiler

An older Audrey is in a rom-com directed by Peter Bogdanovich from 1981, called They All Laughed. It's a nice movie with Hepburn, Ben Gazzara, John Ritter, and Dorothy Stratten. I re-watch it now and then.