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My Fair Lady
Sparkling with wit, wisdom and wonderful songs including, "I Could Have Danced All Night", "Wouldn't It Be Loverly" and "Get Me To The Church On Time", the musical play based on Bernard Shaw's "Pygmalion" has been delighting audiences since it was first performed in the 1950s. When overbearing Professor Higgins stumbles on flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, in Covent Garden he recognizes that her hideous vowels and forgotten consonants are all that separate her from the upper classes. Higgins wagers that he can pass her off as a Duchess in a matter of weeks. But what will become of Eliza when the bet is over? This edition of "My Fair Lady" includes the complete script and a selection of black and white stills from the Oscar-winning film starring Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison.
122 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1956
About the author
Alan Jay Lerner
186 books11 followersAmerican playwright and lyricist Alan Jay Lerner wrote a number of musicals, including
Brigadoon
(1947) and
My Fair Lady
(1956), with the composer Frederick Loewe.
This librettist in collaboration created some of the most popular and enduring works of theater of the world for the stage and on film. He won three Tony awards and three academy awards among other honors.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Ja...
This librettist in collaboration created some of the most popular and enduring works of theater of the world for the stage and on film. He won three Tony awards and three academy awards among other honors.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Ja...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
August 11, 2008
The only reason I write this is because, unlike the movie, this holds the true ending, in which the woman leaves. Who in their right mind would stay with that odious man. He treats her like crap!
To the play, NOT the movie!
To the play, NOT the movie!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2023
Overall: 3.5/5 I think I like the movie more than the book.
Recently, I watched the movie My Fair Lady, filmed in 1964. It is an American musical comedy-drama film adapted from the 1956 Lerner and Loewe stage musical based on George Bernard Shaw's 1913 stage play Pygmalion. The main characters include Eliza Dolittle, who was acted by Audrey Hepburn, while Professor Henry Higgins by Rex Harrison.
I enjoyed the movie a lot. An 8 out of 10. Especially since I know the songs in this musical. I also like the character development of Eliza, which props to the scriptwriter and learned to be independent. In the original play, the name of it was Pygmalion. It originated from Greek mythology, where a God fell in love with a sculpture, and it eventually came alive. So in the musical and the movie, Eliza was the sculpture that came alive as she fought for her freedom and independence. She became more human and less like a figure sculpted and crafted by Higgins. However, the dubbing was a little weird, and I did not enjoy that the actress didn't sing the songs herself.
The movie followed precisely with the stage musical. Initially, the scriptwriter Shaw ended the play by Higgins laughing to himself at the idea of Eliza marrying Freddy, another nobleman. However, popular audiences, looking for pleasant entertainment, wanted a happy ending for the characters they liked so well. On the other hand, Shaw explained precisely why the story couldn't end with Higgins and Eliza getting married because of the tremendous difference in their mindsets. Shaw insisted on protecting the play and Eliza's integrity by keeping the last scene. In my opinion, I am leaning towards the original script. I also think that there was too much history and differences between Eliza and Higgins. There was too much badness between them for there to ever be anything more.
There was an enormous controversy over the lead actress in My Fair Lady. The director chose Audrey Hepburn instead of Julie Andrews, who played the first Eliza Dolittle on Broadway. Julie Andrews was also known for acting in The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins. Also, the songs sung by Eliza in the movie were dubbed by another person. It was estimated that only 10% of the songs were sung by Audrey. This is really sad, as she put a lot of effort into practising her singing skills and taking vocal lessons every day. All the while the director had already decided to dub her voice without telling her. It was said that Audrey was extremely upset by this fact and that she definitely shed tears over this topic. Audrey ended up didn't even being nominated for the Oscars.
Recently, I watched the movie My Fair Lady, filmed in 1964. It is an American musical comedy-drama film adapted from the 1956 Lerner and Loewe stage musical based on George Bernard Shaw's 1913 stage play Pygmalion. The main characters include Eliza Dolittle, who was acted by Audrey Hepburn, while Professor Henry Higgins by Rex Harrison.
I enjoyed the movie a lot. An 8 out of 10. Especially since I know the songs in this musical. I also like the character development of Eliza, which props to the scriptwriter and learned to be independent. In the original play, the name of it was Pygmalion. It originated from Greek mythology, where a God fell in love with a sculpture, and it eventually came alive. So in the musical and the movie, Eliza was the sculpture that came alive as she fought for her freedom and independence. She became more human and less like a figure sculpted and crafted by Higgins. However, the dubbing was a little weird, and I did not enjoy that the actress didn't sing the songs herself.
The movie followed precisely with the stage musical. Initially, the scriptwriter Shaw ended the play by Higgins laughing to himself at the idea of Eliza marrying Freddy, another nobleman. However, popular audiences, looking for pleasant entertainment, wanted a happy ending for the characters they liked so well. On the other hand, Shaw explained precisely why the story couldn't end with Higgins and Eliza getting married because of the tremendous difference in their mindsets. Shaw insisted on protecting the play and Eliza's integrity by keeping the last scene. In my opinion, I am leaning towards the original script. I also think that there was too much history and differences between Eliza and Higgins. There was too much badness between them for there to ever be anything more.
There was an enormous controversy over the lead actress in My Fair Lady. The director chose Audrey Hepburn instead of Julie Andrews, who played the first Eliza Dolittle on Broadway. Julie Andrews was also known for acting in The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins. Also, the songs sung by Eliza in the movie were dubbed by another person. It was estimated that only 10% of the songs were sung by Audrey. This is really sad, as she put a lot of effort into practising her singing skills and taking vocal lessons every day. All the while the director had already decided to dub her voice without telling her. It was said that Audrey was extremely upset by this fact and that she definitely shed tears over this topic. Audrey ended up didn't even being nominated for the Oscars.
July 30, 2018
My Fair Lady is very similar to Pygmalion, only with songs, but a few other notable changes it was odd seeing after having just re-read Pygmalion. Doolittle gets more of a part, and Freddy gets less (and his sister completely disappears!). I like both versions, and while I like the original better for the most part, I completely agree with the latter playwright that Eliza and Higgins are meant for each other!
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February 26, 2015good
December 27, 2023
Horrifyingly bad due to the screaming, hollering, and the Eliza Doolittle character (Audrey Hepburn) screaming like a cat and putting forth an unbelievable Cockney accent.
🗑 Pas pour moi. Abandoned.
🎥
🗑 Pas pour moi. Abandoned.
🎥
November 21, 2014
Loved the book, loved the movie, loved the play, loved the soundtrack. (Enough love said?) I was in High School when I was obsessed with this. I can still sing all the songs. . . now that's scary.
February 23, 2013
Even though I hate the ending, I LOVE this play. I get the songs stuck in my head all the freaking time. This is also the only move I love Rex Harrison in.
June 16, 2021
link to the soundtrack:
https://www.what-song.com/Movies/Soun...
https://www.what-song.com/Movies/Soun...
November 21, 2014
I really enjoyed this book and I recommend it to any girls and women who love romantic musicals. The thing I found interesting was that it was written like a play; I have never read a book in that format. I also love Miss Doolittle's personality,and how she was very feisty even though she was somewhat ignorant. Eliza was a very open spirit and I think that's why I like her o much. She's not afraid to say her feelings!
March 3, 2016
As I've seen the original movie, with Audrey Hepburn (magnificent, I might add!) the book wasn't as good. As English isn't my mother tounge, it was hard to understand why she said things wrong, and why he said them right. Especially because my book was an older, Swedish copy! I didn't understand much, but as I'd seen the movie I understood it all anyway. Still, it was fun to read an act. I'd just wished I had read the original, English version!
July 16, 2014
One of my favorite musicals. With my unerring sense for the inappropriate, I used "Wouldn't It be Loverly?" for an audition piece.
July 3, 2022
I love the various incarnations of G.B.S.'s tale. I came across this paperback book of the Alan Lerner adaption of 'Pygmalion'. It's mostly was in seen in the film version, with a few edits. Meaning: It's still brilliant.
The pacing of the story is really what makes the entirety work so well. The wonderful balance of dialogue and storytelling is outstanding. The songs could be placed better, but the quality of the tunes are also exemplary. I've known these tunes since a wee boy. Back in the '70s, when classmates were talking of various rock songs, I was humming 'On the Street Where You Live'.
It is hard to read this, knowing the theater or movie version, and not sing the lyrics included instead of just reading the words. :)
I almost didn't purchase this, but now very glad to have this on my shelf.
Bottom line: I recommend this book. 10 out of 10 points.
The pacing of the story is really what makes the entirety work so well. The wonderful balance of dialogue and storytelling is outstanding. The songs could be placed better, but the quality of the tunes are also exemplary. I've known these tunes since a wee boy. Back in the '70s, when classmates were talking of various rock songs, I was humming 'On the Street Where You Live'.
It is hard to read this, knowing the theater or movie version, and not sing the lyrics included instead of just reading the words. :)
I almost didn't purchase this, but now very glad to have this on my shelf.
Bottom line: I recommend this book. 10 out of 10 points.
August 14, 2024
I loved how quick this read was! I rate it 3.5, just because the ending was a little confusing for me. It wasn’t bad though, I love how she grew into her independence throughout the book. I didn’t feel as connected to her as I usually do to main characters, but I think that’s just because I read the book in a script format and it was only 127 pages. I wish I could watch the movie or musical, and I’m sure i could find it online somewhere, but I’m scared that it will be disappointing after reading the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2018
There is one honest answer to this book and why it got one star: Dutch translation. It was horrible, it was disasterous and I hated it with whole my heart. The implications that they made and so on.
Would I ever try to read the original if I get my hands on it: definitely.
The play was in town and I wanted to go, was sad I couldn't get tickets and so on but if they do it exactly as the translation: I'm glad I didn't go. It's butchering of art, it's a shame. Of course there is a need for accents but the Dutch way of it, the way of writing and so on, it killed me. Rather try the English version one day.
Would I ever try to read the original if I get my hands on it: definitely.
The play was in town and I wanted to go, was sad I couldn't get tickets and so on but if they do it exactly as the translation: I'm glad I didn't go. It's butchering of art, it's a shame. Of course there is a need for accents but the Dutch way of it, the way of writing and so on, it killed me. Rather try the English version one day.
June 5, 2023
The summer musical for JHS! I will be playing Alfred Doolittle and I needed to read up on what the musical was about. Very interesting characters, but has a lot of dated references and many of the men are not nice to the women in the show. As much as Golden Age shows are timeless, they’re also slightly problematic.
September 28, 2023
Picked this up on a whim in a Paris bookshop. Overall love the movie (and therefore this screenplay) but hate the ending, in which Eliza winds up in an undefined relationship with Higgins. And the author of the screenplay (Lerner) says in a note that George Bernard Shaw's original had her end up with Freddy, NOT Higgins. Damn! At least I don't have to blame Shaw!
February 17, 2021
I give this book 4.5. My dad always mention this book to me all the time but I haven't got a chance to read it. However i read the Penguin Readers level 3 version and fall in love with the book. I just can't wait to read the complete version of the classic pieces. Just love it
June 17, 2017
Just wonderful. 4.75 stars!
July 30, 2017
It has some pacing problems, in my opinion, but it's just so entertaining!
September 18, 2018
Script.
October 29, 2018
used to watch the film with my ma and sing along to the songs :)))
February 22, 2019
I have no idea if it is a "good" play, but it is such a part of my childhood that reading it was like a hug.
December 17, 2019
(Lectura facultativa).
Estoy un poco confundida con el final de la historia. Pero debería releerla.
Estoy un poco confundida con el final de la historia. Pero debería releerla.
March 8, 2020
Classic.
March 24, 2020
We enjoyed the 1964 version with Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison. It is very close to Bernard Shaw's book, Pygmalion.
May 23, 2020
ANOTHER PLAY! It's a good script for musical theatre play.
August 6, 2021
the book was pretty good, but the movie was way better.
October 14, 2021
Exactly like watching the play
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews