~~ My Fair Lady ~~
This is a wonderful endearing film, a story of rags to riches, based on the original story of a cockney flower girl Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw. The Screenplay and Lyrics were done by Alan Jay Lerner he is also responsible for the stage musical before the film ... Read review
Hollywood's legendary "woman's director", George Cukor (The Women,The Philadelphia Story), ... more
transformed Audrey Hepburn into street-urchin-turned-proper-lady Eliza Doolittle in this film version of the Lerner and Loewe musical. Based on George Bernard Sh...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
By George, they've got it! Newly transferred from elements painstakingly restored in 1994, ... more
the film version of Lerner and Loewe's My Fair Lady is lavish, lovely and the acclaimed recipient of eight 1964 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best D...
This recording was produced more than 40 years ago, only in mono, but from the day it was ... more
released it was a deserved phenomenon. It out-grossed the mega-hit show for months, and it still holds the record for the most weeks as a Billboard Top 40 album: 292. The reasons are many. Start with the 20-year-old Julie Andrews in peak voice, singing no fewer than eight sensational Lerner and Loewe songs, soaring most memorably to high C in "I Could Have Danced All Night." Rex Harrison perfected the art of talk-singing in a clutch of equally captivating numbers written especially for his voice, of which the most indelibly delivered is "I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face." And Stanley Holloway brought the best English music-hall style to an eager American audience with "A Little Bit of Luck" and "Get Me to the Church on Time." There were no scene-changers in Frederick Loewe's best score, and Alan Jay Lerner managed to fashion his libretto and lyrics so close to the language of George Bernard Shaw (on whose play Pygmalion the musical was based) that experts couldn't tell where Shaw left off and Lerner took over. Every song created character and advanced the plot. My Fair Lady was a show you "got"--and still get--on first listening--without having seen it. The London cast album (with the same leads) can give you stereo; the movie version, a fuller orchestra, Harrison and Holloway in full sail, and Marni Nixon dubbing Audrey Hepburn. But the Broadway cast album is still the one to have, and the one absolute must in any musical collector's CD library. --Robert Windeler
Postage & Packaging:Free! Availability:Temporarily out of stock. Order now and we'll deliver when available. We'll e-mail you with an estimated delivery date as soon as we have more information. Your credit card will not be charged until we ship the item....
By George, they've got it! Newly transferred from elements pain-stakingly restored in ... more
1994, the film version of Lerner and Loewe's 'My Fair Lady' is lavish, 'loverly' and the acclaimed recipient of eight 1964 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director (George Cukor).Best Actor Oscar winner Rex Harrison reprises his signature stage role of Henry Higgins, the supremely assured phoneticist who wagers that under his tutelage, cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle can pass for a duchess at the Embassy Ball. In one of her best-loved roles, Audrey Hepburn plays Eliza. If ever there was a face the professor could grow accustomed to, it's hers. In Hartford, Heresford and Hampshire (and elsewhere) no one's fairer than 'My Fair Lady', one of the most irresistible musicals ever.
Music / Performing Arts, Comedy - Director: Trevor Nunn, Geoffrey Posner - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, Parental Guidance - Starring: Duncan Preston, Celia Imrie, Julie Walters, Victoria Wood, Jim Broadbent
Advantages: Lovely story line, nice songs, a classic musical Disadvantages: none
~~ My Fair Lady ~~
This is a wonderful endearing film, a story of rags to riches, based on the original story of a cockney flower girl Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw. The Screenplay and Lyrics were done by Alan Jay Lerner he is also responsible for the stage musical before the film concept was taken on. Warner Bros paid a whopping $5 million for the film rights.
~~ The Film ~~
The film starts ... ...
~~ My Views ~~
I love this film, it is a nice story of Rags to Riches, it has a touch of humour and romance, it is easy to watch and enjoy with the whole family. I love the music and the way it carries you along with the story. Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn really compliment each other throughout. It will make you smile in just the right places. A timeless classic, they just don't make them how they used to these ... more
~~ My Fair Lady ~~
This is a wonderful endearing film, a story of rags to riches, based on the original story of a cockney flower girl Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw. The Screenplay and Lyrics were done by Alan Jay Lerner he is also responsible for the stage musical before the film concept was taken on. Warner Bros paid a whopping $5 million for the film rights.
~~ The Film ~~
The film starts off in an Edwardian setting with all the gentry dressed in their finery coming out of the theatre on the wet cold night, you have the street sellers packing up and covering up their wares from the rain. This is the scene where we first meet five of our cast; it is one of the most important scenes as it sets the storyline. It is where our dear Eliza Doolittle a cockney flower girl meets the arrogant Professor Henry Higgins. It is quite comical hearing cockney at its most coarse; Professor Higgins is an expert on the English Language and also runs elocution lessons. I have to smile at one comment Higgins says, he calls Eliza 'a squashed cabbage leaf'.
Eliza approaches Professor Higgins and asks him to teach her to talk more genteel so that she could sell flowers in a shop, and get her own little place to live. Professor Higgins decides after an argument with his friend Colonel Pickering that he bets that he could turn Eliza into a lady and convince those at the forthcoming ball held in 6 months time at Buckingham Palace that she is a lady of stature.
We sit through and watch Eliza's struggle and her transformation from a street girl to a lady, this in itself has some extremely funny moments, like the time the maids try to give Eliza her first ever bath, I think the screams were probably heard 3 streets away, lol. We also get to know more about Professor Higgins and his approach to life, he sings a very catchy song that tells us exactly what kind a man he is : ).
I am going to leave the film now, as I will write little snippets with the cast and song titles to follow. Plus, I would not want to spoil the film for you.
~~ The Cast ~~
Audrey Hepburn - Eliza Doolittle - she played this part wonderfully, she is such and elegant and versatile actress. Sadly although she was nominated for an Oscar for this part she lost to Julie Andrews, who played Eliza on the stage, but was turned down by Warner Bros for the film version. Audrey Hepburn got the biggest payout ever at the time for her part as Eliza Doolittle $1 million flat fee.
Rex Harrison - Professor Henry Higgins, extremely well suited to the part. He actually approached Warner's for the part of Higgins, which he had played on the stage. At first he was turned down, but they eventually took him on at ¼ of the cost of Eliza Doolittle. He also had a trick of speaking his lyrics of the songs to the melody, instead of singing, but it worked very well.
Stanley Holloway - Alfred Doolittle - Eliza's father, he played a cockney out of work dustman, there are many funny scenes and songs with Alfred, one particular scene is where he goes to see Professor Higgins to 'sell' his daughter.
Wilfred Hyde-White - Colonel Pickering - A gentleman staying with Professor Higgins, he is Eliza's adversary who pulls Higgins up on his manners and behaviour at times, he also treats Eliza like a young lady even when she was a street flower girl.
Gladys Cooper - Mrs Higgins - the professors' mother
Jeremy Brett - Freddy Eynsford-Hill - Freddy falls head over heals in love with Eliza, will it be reciprocated, you will have to watch and find out.
Theodore Bikel - Zoltan Karpathy - he plays a small but substantial part to the storyline, he has the most comical hair do. He was also a past student of Professor Higgins.
Mona Washbourne - Mrs Pearce - as Professor Higgins house-keeper she looks after Eliza and tries to bring reason to Henry Higgins.
Isobel Elsom - Mrs Eynsford-Hill - She is Freddie's mom.
Director - George Cukor.
Choreography - Hermes Pan
~~ Songs ~~
Overture -
Why Can't The English? - Sang by Professor Higgins like all Rex Harrison's songs very catchy.
Wouldn't It Be Loverly? - sang by Eliza Doolittle (voice over by Marni Nixon, who has a wonderful voice). This endearing song, was sung in a cockney accent.
I'm An Ordinary Man - a catchy tune done by Rex Harrison telling us that he is just An Ordinary Man.
With a Little Bit O' Luck - sung by Eliza's cockney father Alfred. A chirpy number where he is on the scrounge for a few bob.
Just You Wait - Sang once again by Eliza, singing about what she would like to do to Professor Higgins.
Poor Professor Higgins - Sang by the Higgins household staff all offering him there sympathies.
The Rain In Spain - I love this song, it is sung by Eliza 'correctly' and the excitement and fun really come out with the song. I Could Have Danced All Night - A lovely ballad sung again by Eliza.
Ascot Gavotte - A lovely scene with elegant black 'n' white costumes, performed by the dancers and singers.
On The Street Where You Live - This is sung by Freddie as he hangs around outside Eliza's home trying to catch a glimpse of her. A very pleasant love song.
You Did it - a chirpy congratulatory song by Professor Higgins and Colonel Pickering.
Show Me - Eliza and Freddie - A sort of love ballad.
Get Me To The Church On Time - a fun song by Alfred Doolittle sang obviously the night before the big day - lol.
A Hymm to Him - Sung by Higgins about how he does not understand women (now I know you men will say who does, he, he).
Without You - Another sort of duet between Higgins and Eliza.
I've Grown Accustomed To Her Face - Sung by Higgins reflecting on the last 6 months.
~~ DVD Extra's ~~
Jump To Scene - there are 50 scenes and you can pick which scene from blocks of 4.
Select Languages - English, French and Italian. Subtitles are available here also. There is also a button which will take you to the Commentary - this can also be found in the special features section which I will come to shortly.
~~ Special Features ~~
Commentary by Art Director, Gene Alden, the restoration team of Robert Harris and James Katz, Marni Nixon also commentates; she did the singing voice of Eliza Doolittle. - This lasts the whole length of the film as they talk over each scene of the movie. I found it could take a little while to get used to as you have to cut off the sound track of the film in the back ground in your mind as they are both playing at the same time, obviously with the commentary being slightly louder. But if you love to know how it was all put together then it will be worth viewing and listening to.
Original Featurette - The Fairest Fair Lady - This is a 10 minute background feature showing you scenery and costume making, filming, dressing rooms, wigs, the staff behind the scenes and the millinery.
Audrey Hepburn Vocals - there are two songs listed under this title - Wouldn't It Be Loverly? And Show Me - both sang here by Audrey herself, she has a nice voice, but not a patch on Marni who does her voice over.
Theatrical Trailer - this runs for 5 minutes, introducing you to the stars of the show and this also has sections from the original featurette as well.
~~ My Views ~~
I love this film, it is a nice story of Rags to Riches, it has a touch of humour and romance, it is easy to watch and enjoy with the whole family. I love the music and the way it carries you along with the story. Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn really compliment each other throughout. It will make you smile in just the right places. A timeless classic, they just don't make them how they used to these days. This film did not need magnificent million dollar special effects to make it good. The wonderful characters, the singing, the costumes, the atmosphere it created, the storyline all went to make it a fantastic film.
~~ Trivia ~~
It went on to win 8 Oscars as the 1965 Academy Awards.
It is rated U
Run Time: 170mins
I hope you enjoy watching this as much as I did, thank you so much for reading.
My Fair Lady, a mammoth musical extravaganza, was produced by Warner Brothers in 1964, in 70mm wide screen. The story was adapted from Pygmalion (1912), a play by George Bernard Shaw. Director George Cukor has presented a sumptuous, dazzling and delightful musical romantic comedy with enchanting and cheerful songs. It had won eight Academy Awards. This classic was restored in 1994, to its original charms and the sound track changed to digital.
The ... ...delectable.
The story of My Fair Lady is well knit and the characters are dominant. All the songs are outstanding and the melody refreshing. The song, "I could Have Danced All Night", sung by Marnie Nixon is the best and is still very popular without losing its glitter. Audrey Hepburn, in one of her best ever performances, has excelled in dancing and she has given a real life characterization of Eliza. She deserved accolades to her acting talents ...
skmm 26.03.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of My Fair Lady (DVD)
Advantages: lovely music and great acting... Disadvantages: Shaw would be turning over in his grave
...around while irrating Steve with my crap Cockney accent and feeble attempt to sing a decent note***
I could be the next Audrey Hepburn!!!!! just kidding...
Seriously though... I have always loved this film since I was a wee bit... I loved the singing and dancing... and I thought it was so romantic... And then I grew up...
Still... it is a great film... but it has lost a bit of its luster since I have devoted my attentions to Hollywood and the ... ...~~~~PLOT~~~~
In early 20th century London... a young woman by the name of Eliza Doolittle stumbles upon a hard nosed... stereotypical... close minded... and rude Phonetician named Professor Henry Higgins... who makes a bet that he can turn this pathetic flower girl into a high born lady of the town...
Higgins makes the bet with Colonel Pickering... a fellow Phonetician who is amused by the goings on whilst Higgins teaches Eliza the fine art of ...
Coxecal 14.03.2003
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of My Fair Lady (DVD)
Advantages: The unforgettable Audrey. Music at its best Disadvantages: Dodgy sets at times
...particularly musicals...and what better than My Fair Lady starring the one and only very fair lady, Audrey Hepburn, my favourite film star of all time.
Filmed in l964 by Warner Brothers, My Fair Lady is, as most people will know, the film adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's play Pygmalion which in turn is based on the Latin Poet Ovid's story in Metamorphisis. In this Pygmalion falls in love with an ivory statue. He prays to Venus (as the Greeks ... ...had she been selected for My Fair Lady. Poor Audrey didn't even get a nomination, although she attended the Awards and graciously accepted defeat in her usual elegant way.
The film is directed by George Cukor who if I'm not mistaken also at one point directed Vivienne Leigh in Gone with The Wind although he was later replaced. Music is by Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loew and the musical score is played by Andre Previn.
Marnie Nixon dubs for Audrey ...
ANNJSEC 15.03.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of My Fair Lady (DVD)
Advantages: Brillinat performance by all Disadvantages: You have to go to London to see it
...to play Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady in London’s West End I was thrilled to bits. My favourite musical with one of my favourite performers, we just had to get tickets!
We tried to get tickets earlier in the year but had no joy so we finally booked a weekend coach trip for the first weekend of December. A few weeks before we were due to go I saw a headline in the paper announcing that Martine McCutcheon was to drop out of the performance due to ... ...named without the help of my programme!
Dennis Waterman of Sweeny and Minder fame played Eliza’s father, Alfred P Doolittle. He was superb and got quite a cheer at the end when he took his bow.
As I said earlier the stage version was taken from the original film score by Lerner and Loewe, which in turn was taken from George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion.
Basically the story is about Eliza Doolittle, who is a flower seller in the London’s East End and ...
SusanLesley 18.12.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of My Fair Lady (DVD)
Advantages: Very Good Story line Disadvantages: maybe a few too many songs
Before I watched My Fair Lady I studied the play Pygmalion, which it is based on at school. I the main story line focuses on how the main character Eliza Doolittle changes from a cockney flower girl in Covent Garden to a middle class lady. I think Audrey Hepburn plays the part of Eliza Doolitlle very effectively. I think George Bernerd Shaw is one Britains greastest play writes and Pygmalion is a wonderful play which focuses on morality, social class ... ...no right to take away my character. My character is the same to me as any other ladys '
This quotation shows that Eliza feels that her character is very important and her class and background should not affect the way that people regard her as a person. She also believes that people do not have the right to assume she is dishonest and unrespectable because of the job she is doing.
In Act 2 we see Eliza Doolittle arriving and Professor Higgins Wimpole ...
Pacyesangel 31.01.2001
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of My Fair Lady (DVD)
Did you enjoy it?
Characters / Performances
Soundtrack
How does it compare to ...
Similar reviews »
Reviews which might be of interest for "My Fair Lady (DVD)"
Advantages: great story and characters Disadvantages: musical maybe not for everyone
myfairlady is one of the worlds most loved musical and tells the story of a commen flower girl who dreams of a better life. she dreams of being well spoken and working in a florist shop instead of being on the streets.well as it happens a proffessor of speech takes her in as a bet and teaches her to speak and act properly. does this mean she will get her dream?
this comic tale is a story of love and freindship between the classes.
i like this film for a number of reasons. it features song that i enjoy, like 'wouldn't it be loverly', ' i could of danced all night' and 'on the street where you live. i also think the acting and characters are astounding.
all together this is a great film that can be enjoyed by all ages, time and time again. ...
Advantages: Excellent Acting and Dialogue Disadvantages: None
This Film is my favourite of all time, despite being a 6'3" biker I could listen to these songs and watch the fantastic performances all day. The late Audrey Hepburn was the most classy woman ever to grace the large screen.
Audrey Hepburn plays Eliza Doolittle, a flower seller from London who is as common as they come. However she meets up with a professor of language and all is about to change. Its heart wrenching in places but funny as hell in other. I really do recommend this dvd for all the family as the worst word spoken is arse and thats only once.
I think it will appeal to everyone even in todays society as you really can find yourself enthralled in the songs. ...
Advantages: Entertaining, excellent cast Disadvantages: Not everyone's thing
I have liked Audrey Hepburn since I first saw her in MyFairLady, when I was a child. Then a year or so ago, I bought a DVD boxset of five of her films, but only got round to watching the first one - Sabrina.
(NOTE: Sabrina is known as Sabrina Fair in the UK, but as my copy says Sabrina, I will refer to it as that throughout.)
Sabrina was released in 1954 and stars Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart and William Holden. It is in black and white, rated U and is 109 minutes long. The film received six Oscar nominations, but won only one for costume.
PLOT
The plot is a reworking of the old Cinderella story. Sabrina Fairchild (Hepburn) is the daughter of a chauffeur, Thomas (John Williams) who works for the wealthy Larrabee family. The head of the family is Oliver (Walter Hampden), but the businesses are mainly run by his sons ...
Colin Campbell, Grady Sutton, Ben Wright, Dinah Anne Rogers, John McLiam, Betty Blythe, Barbara Pepper, John Holland, James Wood, William Taylor, Laurie Main, Patrick O'Moore, Marjorie Bennett, Monika Henreid, John Mitchum, Alan Napier, Walter Burke, Maurice Dallimore
Interactive Menus, Scene Access, Trailer, Commentary For Restoration Team, The Fairest Lady, Wouldnt It Be Lovely, Show Me
Aspect Ratio
2.21 Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Mono
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1 English Mono French Italian
Award information
OSCAR
Best Actor In A Leading Role 1965 (Rex Harrison)
OSCAR
Best Director 1965 (George Cukor)
Professional reviews
Review
"...Glorious....Features [Beaton's] astounding costumes, [Cukor's] stately direction, the best-loved, most hummable of all Broadway scores and a sublime cast headed by [Harrison and Hepburn]..." (New York Times, p.C13, 21/09/1994)
DVD Description
A priceless classic, MY FAIR LADY has become one of the most popular musicals of all time. Based on George Bernard Shaw's 1913 play PYGMALION, the film swept the Academy Awards. Cecil Beaton's lavish sets and costumes and Lerner and Loewe's winning score became the background for George Cukor's striking mix of styles that ranged from the fantastic to the abstract in his telling of the tale of a waif who's educated into being a lady. Egotistical linguist Professor Henry Higgins (Oscar-winning Rex Harrison) bets his friend, Colonel Hugh Pickering (Wilfrid Hyde-White), that he can transform Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle (Audrey Hepburn) in time for an important society ball. His gamble could pay off--but the spirited Eliza is more of a handful than the Professor could have predicted. As she slowly becomes more refined, and less reliant upon him, Higgins realizes, to his confusion, that he can't live without her. The film was nominated for 12 Oscars and won eight, including Best Picture and Director.
Compare My Fair Lady (DVD) to other similar Musicals & Music Films »
![My Fair Lady [DVD] [1965]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78542067.jpg)
