Home :: DVD :: Musicals & Performing Arts :: General  

Ballet & Dance
Biography
Broadway
Classical
Documentary
General

Instructional
Jazz
Musicals
Opera
World Music
My Fair Lady

My Fair Lady

List Price: $19.98
Your Price: $14.99
Product Info Reviews

<< 1 .. 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 .. 18 >>

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Audrey Hepburn vs. Julie Andrews
Review: My Fair Lady, an adaptation of Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion, has as
its core the transformation of a poor, undernourished flower
girl with a cockney accent into a polished, sophisticated,
regal woman, a princess or queen. Julie Andrews is totally
unsuited to the film role. On stage, perhaps, her voice carried
her performance because close-ups were not possible. Julie
Andrews would have destroyed the film version had she been
cast in it.

Jack Warner must have known this when he rejected Julie as the
film version of Eliza. Look at Mary Poppins. She's rock solid.
Julie is perfect for that role. Look at her character in the
Sound of Music. Again, rock solid. How could she portray a near
street urchin in the cold and damp streets of Victorian England?
Only on the stage where close-ups were not available.

On the other hand, Audrey's Vogue model look is perfect for the
role of the nearly starving Eliza. Further, her transformation
into a woman of royal blood is perfectly suited to Audrey, as
she was in fact born of a noble family of Europe. Not that the
mannerisms could not have been learned by Julie Andrews, but
Audrey did not have to LEARN them for the role. The mannerisms
were part of her, there from birth.

The only mistake Jack Warner made was not letting Audrey use her
own voice because even though it would not be as multi-octave as
Julie's, you wouldn't expect such a perfect voice from a
starving flower girl and how could she miraculously develop it
along with proper pronunciation? That would be too much too
swallow. If you doubt this, listen to the extras in this DVD
with Audrey's voice in place of the dubber's.

This DVD version of My Fair Lady brings forth all of the magic
and original color and sound that the restored VHS version
provided along with the added ease of moving from scene to
scene, and back again, of DVD. It's just an added bonus.

Fortunately for posterity, only Audrey Hepburn will be
remembered as Eliza Doolittle. A movie with a soundtrack
will be more memorable to future generations than a soundtrack alone.

Audrey Hepburn is and always will be the only true Eliza. The
only true My Fair Lady. Great DVD.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Nothing better
Review: There are dozens of nearly perfect musicals, but this is still my favorite. Sound of Music, Wizard of Oz, Music Man,Chitty Chitty Bang Bang all five stars also.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: One of the best classic musicals
Review: My Fair Lady is one of the best classic musicals to own. The DVD has bonus features that make it a good value for the money.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Oh, What Might Have Been.....
Review: If you are going to enjoy the movie, My Fair Lady, here are a few suggestions. First, ignore the fact that Audrey Hepburn is really not the one singing. Second, forget that this was a Broadway smash hit which enjoyed its success thanks in large part to Julie Andrews. And finally, never ever listen to the original Broadway cast recording starring Ms. Andrews. The movie will be ruined for you forever. This movie has been reviewed time and time again so there is not alot I can add. Some will think it is wonderful and not mind that the role of Eliza Doolittle was so horribly mis-cast. Others, like me, will not be able to sit through it without thinking how wonderful it could have been if only Jack Warner had had the sense enough to cast Dame Julie. What could he have been thinking?? Instead we are left feeling cheated that such great Lerner and Loewe material could be so wasted.
I just finished watching the movie again after not having seen it in several years and felt like writing this review. Throughout the movie, every time Marni Nixon started singing for Audrey, I just cringed. It is so bad, it is almost painful to listen. I guess I am just partial to the Broadway cast recording because it is fantastic! Julie Andrews sings the role of Eliza to perfection. The movie's only redeeming quality is Rex Harrison and the supporting cast. Can you imagine anyone else playing Henry Higgins other than Rex Harrison. Oh, the irony!
My suggestion is put My Fair Lady on the shelf and instead watch The Sound of Music, Mary Poppins or Oklahoma! to name a few. This movie is not even in the same league with these other great musicals!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Yet another stunning performance!
Review: This performance by Audrey Hepburn, who plays Elza Doolittle, is fabulous, and the movie is really great!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This is One of the Truly Classic Musicals of ALL Time!
Review: Who can resist Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Doolittle? I mean, puh-leez! Her presence is electric, and to see her match wits (or attempt to) with Rex Harrison's Professor Higgins, is pure joy.

The songs are funny and catchy, the production values are first rate, and it harkens back to a time when moviemaking was churning out some quality musicals.

This film has a special place in my heart as one that I watch time and time again. It never gets old for me.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Who's the REAL Eliza? Shout it out now: JULIE! JULIE! JULIE!
Review: Who's the REAL Eliza? Shout it out now: JULIE! JULIE! JULIE!

"My Fair Lady". Thats all one needs to say to get the attention of millions. But who is locked in the public's mind as Eliza Dootlittle?: Dame Julie Andrews. Deservedly so. She took Broadway by storm in My Fair Lady. Making covers of "Life" Magazine and more in 1956 etc. No one-and i mean no one (that includes Audrey Hepburn) should have been allowed to destory the Eliza that Julie created. Jack Warner destroyed Eliza buy hiring Audrey Hepburn. Ofcourse we all know it didnt hurt Ms. Andrews' career. She got a LITTLE gig called "Mary Poppins"...I'm sure NONE OF YOU have heard of it, right? And then a tiny little thing called "the sound of music" only the most popular movie of all time. AND she got her Oscar for Best Actress for Mary Poppins. Go, Julie! She showed them. Even Jack Warner admitted that he voted for Julie Andrews in the Academy Awards. ANd It has been said by MORE than a few that "passing up Julie Andrews for Eliza ruined Jack's career and was the worst move he ever made". Audrey Hepburn was a terribly weak Eliza Doolittle. And thet world knows it--come on, admit it. Most of you have heard the Julie Andrews version from the my fair lady broadway cd 9or the lndon cast, ms. andrews did both) and it is SO true that she was much better. her accent is way believable. ANd her singing voice is unmatchable. (four and a half octaves--which is more than i can say about Audrey's dubber Marni Nixon). Well, Rex Harrison was wonderful on the upside. He pleaded with Jack Warner to use Julie. But, now that i think of it no one "uses" MY julie. They can "use" her talent, yes. of which she has much. but julie makes her own desicions. and when jack warner asked her to reprise her Broadway role of Guenvere in the movie version Camelot, after a long process of thought (and because Richard Burton and Robert Goulet, who lpayed oppisite her on Broadway had both declinded) she said "No." GO, Julie! Atleast Jack had the sense to ask the real Queen to be the queen in his movie. I guess he didn't wanna make the mistake he made with my fair lady again, huh? Yup.

If we were in 1964 right now. If i were to go back in time. I would have barged into jack's office and screamed my lungs out until he promised to fire Audrey. :) innocent little me. but it is well known that Julie's career outlasted Audrey's. Yup-yup. For Julie is still decking out major movie hits as we speak--and Audrey well, I loved her in "Breakfast At Tiffany's" and may she rest in peace. From what i know, which is a lot when it comes to julie andrews, Audrey and Julie got along famously. Now dont get me wrong. I dont HATE Audrey, she was just very wro0ng for the part. I like Audrey very much. not NEARLY as much as i love julie andrews but...i think the world agrees when i say that its much easier to fall in love with mary poppins than holly goliightly whom ONLY "Fred" REALLY loved with all his heart. Julie just has that efffect on people that audrey doesnt possess. well, we cant have it all can we? We've got "Mary Poppins" and "The Sound Of Music" so soften the blow. If Julie had done My Fair lady, she WOULD have been able to do Mary Poppins but she WOULDNT have been able to do "The Americanization Of Emily" or "The Sound Of Music". and let's face it, Can anyone here actually imagine "The Sound Of Music" with anyone BUT Julie ANdrews? Honestly, no. Toodles and Long Live Queen Julie Andrews!'

~*~*~*Julie Andrews Always,~*~*~*~ Skye

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Hepburn Heaven
Review: My Fair Lady, one of this last big budget musicals of all time. Adapted from the play Pygmalion, this is the rags to riches story of Eliza Doolittle (played marvelously by Audrey Hepburn). Watch this poor 'gutter snipe' be transformed into the talk of the ball by speech professor Henry Higgins (played to the hammy peak by Rex Harrison). The sets are breathtaking, the costumes are remarkable and the cast superb. Audrey Hepburn would be proud of this DVD. All the hard work of voice lessons for this movie are now paying off. As if My Fair Lady wasn't perfect enough, now you can hear Hepburns very own voice implemented back into the movie for a couple more songs. This alone would make it worth buying.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A musical masterpiece
Review: "My Fair Lady" is the legendary director George Cukor's crowning achievement. Every element of this movie works, from its sumptuous photography by veteran cameraman Harry Stradling, to the glorious costumes and sets created by Cecil Beaton. The music is incomparable. Frederick Loewe's melodies are lovely and infectious and Alan Jay Lerner's lyrics are every bit as witty and touching as the dialogue originally written by playwright George Bernard Shaw for "Pygmalion". "My Fair Lady" is the musical version of "Pygmalion".

The transformation of the illiterate, unwashed Eliza Doolittle into the breathtaking "Fair Lady" of the film's title is inspiring to see. This is one of Audrey Hepburn's best roles, and she is perfection as Eliza Doolittle. She is thoroughly convincing as the Cockney flower girl who transcends her humble roots to end up dancing with a prince at an embassy ball. Hepburn expertly translates Eliza's tenacity, vulnerbility, intelligence, and grace into a beautiful and timeless performance.

Yes, it's true that Julie Andrews (who created the original Eliza on Broadway) was bypassed for this role. However, this was purely a business decision made by studio head Jack Warner. He did not want to risk such a lavish, expensive production on a relative newcomer such as Andrews was at the time. So he went with the safe bet, Hepburn, as Eliza Doolittle. Audrey was an established star with a great track record.

But Andrews soon recovered from this disappointment to make two blockbusters of her own, "Mary Poppins" and "Sound of Music". Not a bad trade-off I'd say.

Anyway, I enthusiastically recommend that you buy "My Fair Lady" on DVD or VHS. It is one of the best musicals ever written for stage or screen. You'll see what I mean.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Should have been Julie Andrews
Review: The role of Eliza Doolittle My Fair Lady was originally created by Dame Julie Andrews. Who was superbly spectacular- no one could take place. Which is why i can't stand watching this movie! Audrey Hepburn (who was only good in Breakfast At Tiffany's) was horribly mis-cast! First of all, Audrey cannot even sing! She was dubbed- and Marni nixon (the one who dubbed her)isn't even that good. Julie Andrews acted and sung the pact perfectly. But it's ok because Julie won an Academy Award the year My Fair Lady came out anyway- for Mary Poppins- Audrey wasn't even nominated- with good reason too. And you gotta love Rex Harrison, who also created the role of henry higgins alongside Julie Andrews on Broadway. Because Rex fought and fought to get Julie Andrews on the movie of My Fair Lady. This movie is nothing because julie is not in it- (...)But, we later found out that even Jack Warner voted for Julie at the Academy Awards- which she won!


<< 1 .. 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 .. 18 >>

© 2004, ReviewFocus or its affiliates