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Summary: THE FIRST DISAPPOINTMENT FROM CRITERION...
Review: Until now, Criterion has been recognized as the undisputed leader in film resoration for transfer to DVD. With PYGMALION, they make a very disappointing stumble. The package states that this is a "gorgeous new transfer, with digitally restored image and sound". I'm sure this is what they intended, but the product does not reflect either restored image or sound. It is, on the whole a good print, though not at all up to the normal Criterion quality. It is - in places - terrible. And the sound is all over the map. Yes, it can be heard, but because of a poor audio mix, one has to raise and lower the volume with almost every scene. Criterion remains by far the best distributor of DVDs, but they should be told by their consumers that in this case, the product is plainly not deserving of the Criterion name.
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Summary: LIKE GAUL, DIVIDED INTO THREE PARTS
Review: Shaw's PYGMALION. like Julius Caesar's Gaul, is divided into three parts.1. A preface, which was written after the play was already a hit, but was meant by Shaw to be a part of the reader's experience, and is necessary to the understanding of Shaw's main theme. 2. A five act play, meant to be performed, and which is annotated in such a manner so as to facilitate deletion, on the stage, of portions only possible in a film version. 3. What Shaw refers to as a sequel, written in prose, and outlining Liza and Freddy's life after their marriage which takes place after the end of Act V. In the preface, Shaw first emphasizes the importance of reading his prose sequel. He then devotes the bulk of the preface to a discussion of the difficulties of learning to speak English, because its written alphabet so inadequately reflects the sound of the spoken word. He makes it very clear that he believes that the English Alphabet should be replaced by a 42 letter phonetic alphabet. He states that, "The English have no respect for their language, and will not teach their children to speak it." He also states that Henry Higgins, the speech therapist, is at least partially modeled on Henry Sweet, a leading phonetician of the period. The central portion of PYGMALION is the five act play to which most of us have been exposed in one form or another; The original play, the screen play with the altered "happy ending," or the musical version, "My Fair Lady." By now, I would guess that we all are very familiar with the plot in which Professor Henry Higgins teaches the uneducated flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, proper language and manners, and, for an evening, passes her off as royalty. In the all important sequel, Shaw makes it very clear that language alone, is not enough to make the transition from street person to high society. After a long struggle, Eliza and Freddy enter the world of tradesmen and, with Colonel Pickering's backing, open a flower shop in the arcade of a railway station. Because neither Eliza nor Freddy have any concept of how to handle money (Eliza can't count or make change), the shop nearly fails. Colonel Pickering subsidizes them for several years, helping them to get a modest practical education, and eventually the shop does become self supporting. In this section, Shaw also explains why Liza picked the weaker Freddy over the stronger, but domineering Higgins. For a fuller explanation, one should read the sequel which, as I mentioned above, is included in the book. Shaw makes it very clear that, while proper language is a necessity for success in this world, it alone is not enough. There is something to be said for proper upbringing, education, and exposure to culture. A number of reviewers on these pages have seen PYGMALION as some sort of skewering of the British Upper Classes. Some have seized on Shaw's political leanings to support these views. There is merit in these observations, but I prefer to take Shaw at face value and accept his statement that his lifelong belief that language is everything and that it IS language that strongly influences the world's opinion of each of is his main reason for writing PYGMALION. He even went so far as to attempt, in his will, to set up a foundation for the purpose of getting the English speaking world to accept an alternate phonetic alphabet and short-hand. I would probably be remiss if I ended this review without a reference to the Pygmalion of Ovid's "Metamorphosis." Pygmalion was a king of Cyprus and a sculptor. He sculpted a statue of a beautiful woman with which he fell in love. In answer to his prayers to Aphrodite, the statue was brought to life as Galatea, and Pygmalion married her. Shaw needed to look no further for a model plot. PYGMALION should be read in its entirety, preface, play, and prose sequel. By so doing, one can both enjoy the play, and better understand Shaw's motivation in writing PYGMALION.
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Summary: A wonderful package
Review: This film is is simply excellent, far superior to My Fair Lady which to be honest I have never been a huge fan of: I regard it overlong and Audrey Hepburn was a little unconvincing. This film concentrates on the play rather than songs and visual eye candy, though the latter it still succeeds in, with the ball-room scenes and some beautiful shots near the opening of the streets of London capturing the period perfectly. But it's the performances that carry the film mainly; Hiller is brilliant but Howard is truly fantastic, the role fitting him like a glove as he takes full advantage of the hilarious script. But special mention must go to the DVD - the print is absoloutly GORGEOUS, the film looks as if it was made yesterday and the dialogue is as clear as a bell without a hint of noise. Occasionaly the print slips slightly in the latter half but these tiny interludes of what seems like an unmastered print only make you see how superb the rest of it is. And the packaging is also worth mentioning - the insert has some great photos and a replica of the original poster. At this price especially no collector should be without this disc.
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Summary: Incredible Wit and Social Commentary
Review: George Bernard Shaw uses of wit and insight into England's arrogant class system to show class is not bred, but made, and the highest class of people see no class at all, being humble enough to know we are equals. As fun as the musical, "My Fair Lady" is, please read Shaw's take on this old Greek myth. From the plot of whether or not a pauper can made a princess to the subplot of love and true romance, the story is intertwined with memorable characters, delightful banter and intriguing thoughts. Shaw's understanding of English's accents and how these separated the masses (do they still?) causes me in America to wonder if my Chicago-istic pronunciations affect how I am seen. What about African-American accents, or the New England accents? Does a Kentucky girl's accent come across as higher or lower class than her Alabama neighbors? How do I see others? Am I as affected? Drop down a little cash, sneak this book into a larger order, and read, "Pygmalion." Review Edith Hamilton's book on mythology, discover who Shaw refers to (as in Galatea and Pygmalion... fascinating story too!). I fully recommend this book. Anthony Trendl
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Summary: The Original "My Fair Lady"
Review: The Broadway Musical and subsequent Movie "My Fair Lady" all followed this 1938 film version of the Bernard Shaw Play "Pygmalion". Leslie Howard as the egotistical speech expert who wants to refine unpolished flower girl Wendy Hiller. More than the musical versions, this film is a deep character study and offers various possibilities as to the outcome of the Professor's "experiment". This is a classic comedy drama, definitely worth a closer look!
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Summary: An enjoyable reading assignment...wow.
Review: Of the 3 books I've had to read this summer for school, this is easily the most entertaining and light-hearted. The other two (Silas Marner and Frankenstein) being slow, morbid, and depressing, this was a very nice break. I really enjoyed some of the clever humor Shaw managed to throw in...and I like that Henry Higgins is such a mean guy, unlike in My Fair Lady. If you have to read this in school, consider yourself lucky, because it's one of the few school books you'll actually enjoy.
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Summary: Not a fairy tale!
Review: Contrary to what many people believe, this is not a rags to riches story. Anyone who reads it will see that it is certainly not a Cinderella story. They changed the story a bit for the movie "My Fair Lady," so be careful. (Do not just rent the movie for English class!) The story is about the ridiculous shallowness and stupidity of the English upper class. Most of the characters are self-involved, so don't expect a romance. The play is still very good. Shaw is a very witty and enjoyable writer. I reccomend him highly.
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Summary: Still the best version
Review: MY FAIR LADY is one of the all time great musicals mainly because of its source--this film version. Wendy Hiller is magnificent as is Leslie Howard as the confirmed bachelor Henry Higgins. The entire cast is superb. Until this film version Liza walked out in the end but I think it is okay that in the film and later in MFL that she returned. They had grown accustomed to each other and it is fun to think about how they lived out their lives. I imagine she and Col.Pickering were very helpful to HH in his phonics ventures. I can imagine the DVD will be a superb rendering. Their laserdisc was and DVDs are better. Can't wait.
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Summary: For once, Shaw does more than talk (and talk and talk)
Review: The only HUMAN play that Shaw ever wrote; the ideas are yoked to real human beings for once, and what might have been little more than a rigged debate on the virtues of a good public education becomes a drama about how that education allows a very special woman to realize her potential. And one of the things that that education allows that very special woman, Eliza Dolittle, to do is tell off Henry Higgins, who gives off the same empty, clever rattle as most of Shaw's mouthpieces, but is seen for once from a perspective other than the author's self-adoring mirror. And what a high-minded, high-handed bore he is! Higgins knows things, but not people; it is only the kindness and respect that Eliza gets from his friend, Colonel Pickering, that allows Eliza to survive the ordeal of being tutored by Higgins. And she uses that tutoring to help her find the words to finally tell Higgins to take a flying leap and goes to join the world of the living. How and why Shaw transformed himself from a polemicist into a dramatist, never to do so again, I can't say. Perhaps it was the fact that the original production starred Herbert Beerbom-Tree and Mrs. Patrick Campbell, formidable performers who demanded a real play, not just a recitation of the latest ideas sure to upset the middle classes (the latter was also, intermittently, Shaw's mistress-you like to keep your girlfriend happy). At any rate, when I'm tempted to think of Shaw as little more than a spinmeister for Uncle Joe who couldn't keep his yap shut, I think of this marvellous play, and my attitude softens a little. A little.
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Summary: MY FAIR WENDY
Review: I personally enjoy this film more than I do MY FAIR LADY. Howard and Hiller are perfectly suited to their respective roles as Professor Henry Higgins and Eliza Doolittle. While this version doesn't contain the music, colour photography and admittedly grander production values that MY FAIR LADY boasted, it's pure in form and a classic well worth viewing. Hiller is truly splendid in her impossible role and she makes an amazing transformation from the illiterate cockney guttersnipe to a wistful, charming lady. Granted Hiller was no raving beauty, yet she possessed an aristrocratic air about her which is something essential in the evolvement of her role - her performance deserves kudos galore. Jean Cadell does excellently as Higgin's stern Scottish housekeeper with a heart of gold: her playing is a joy to watch; even the actor who portrays Eliza's ne'er-do-well father is terrific. Howard does most commendable job as the determined, vainglorius Higgins and the Pascal production is nigh flawless for its representation of Shaw's masterpiece which was written for the 45 year-old Mrs. Patrick Campbell (who, despite her rather advanced age, was said to have given a superlative performance as Eliza Doolittle).
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