MY FAIR LADY [1964 / 2015] [50th Anniversary Edition] [Blu-ray + DVD] [USA Release] ‘MY FAIR LADY’ is one of the Most Spectacular Musicals of All Time!
Restored in 4K from 8K scans of original 65mm elements with 96K resolution and 7.1 Dolby TrueHD audio, this 50th Anniversary Edition celebrates the breath-taking musical extravaganza that won 8 Academy Awards®, including Best Picture. This beloved adaptation of the Broadway stage hit stars AUDREY HEPBURN as Eliza Doolittle, a sassy, working-class London street vendor, and REX HARRISON as the elitist Professor Henry Higgins, who attempts to turn Eliza Doolittle into a sophisticated lady through proper tutoring. But, when the humble flower girl blossoms into the toast of London society, her teacher may have a lesson or two to learn himself.
FILM FACT No.1: Awards and Nominations: 1964 Boxoffice Magazine Awards: Win: Boxoffice Blue Ribbon Award for Best Picture of the Month for the Whole Family (December) for George Cukor. 1964 National Board of Review, USA: Win: NBR Award for Top Ten Films. 1964 New York Film Critics Circle Awards: Win: Best Film. Win: Best Actor for Rex Harrison. Nominated: Best Director for George Cukor. Nominated: Best Actress for Audrey Hepburn. 1965 Academy Awards®: Win: Best Picture for Jack L. Warner. Win: Best Actor in a Leading Role for Rex Harrison and dedicated his Oscar to "two fair ladies": Julie Andrews and Audrey Hepburn. Win: Best Director for George Cukor. Win: Best Cinematography in Color for Harry Stradling Sr. Win: Best Art Direction-Set Decoration in Color for Cecil Beaton, Gene Allen and George James Hopkins. Win: Best Costume Design in Color for Cecil Beaton. Win: Best Sound for George Groves (Warner Bros. SSD). Win: Best Music, Scoring of Music, Adaptation or Treatment for André Previn. Nominated: Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Stanley Holloway. Nominated: Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Gladys Cooper. Nominated: Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium for Alan Jay Lerner. Nominated: Best Film Editing for William H. Ziegler. 1965 Golden Globes: Win: Best Motion Picture in a Comedy or Musical. Win: Best Director for George Cukor. Win: Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical for Rex Harrison. Nominated: Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical for Audrey Hepburn. Nominated: Best Supporting Actor for Stanley Holloway. 1965 American Cinema Editors: Nominated: Eddie Award for Best Edited Feature Film for William H. Ziegler. 1965 David di Donatello Awards: Win: Best Foreign Production (Migliore Produzione Straniera) for Jack L. Warner. Win: Best Foreign Actress (Migliore Attrice Straniera) for Audrey Hepburn. Win: Best Foreign Actor (Migliore Attore Straniero) for Rex Harrison. 1965 Directors Guild of America: Win: DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures for George Cukor and David S. Hall (assistant director) (plaque). 1965 Laurel Awards: Win: Road Show. Win: Male Musical Performance for Rex Harrison. Nominated: Female Comedy Performance for Audrey Hepburn. Nominated: Male Supporting Performance for Stanley Holloway [4th place]. 1965 Writers Guild of America: Nominated: WGA Award (Screen) for Best Written American Musical for Alan Jay Lerner. 1966 BAFTA Awards: Win: BAFTA Film Award for Best Film from any Source for George Cukor [USA]. Nominated: BAFTA Film Award for Best British Actor for Rex Harrison [USA]. 1966 Cinema Writers Circle Awards, Spain: Win: Best Foreign Film (Mejor Película Extranjera) [USA]. 2017 Online Film & Television Association: Win: OFTA Film Hall of Fame for ‘MY FAIR LADY’ Motion Picture. 2018 National Film Preservation Board, USA: Win: National Film Registry for National Film Preservation Board for the film ‘MY FAIR LADY.’
FILM FACT No.2: The head of CBS, William S. Paley, put up the money for the original Broadway production in exchange for the rights to the cast long play album through Columbia Records. Warner Bros. Pictures bought the film rights in February 1962 for the then-unprecedented sum of $5.5 million plus 47¼% of the gross over $20 million. It was agreed that the rights to the film would revert to CBS seven years following release. All of the songs in the film were performed near complete; however, there were some verse omissions, as there sometimes are in film versions of Broadway musicals. For example, in the song “With a Little Bit of Luck”
the verse “He does not have a Tuppence in his pocket,” which was sung with a chorus, was omitted, due to space and its length. The original verse in “Show Me” was used instead. Audrey Hepburn's singing was judged inadequate, and she was dubbed by Marni Nixon, who sang all songs except “Just You Wait,” where Audrey Hepburn's voice was left undubbed during the harsh-toned chorus of the song and Marni Nixon sang the melodic bridge section. Audrey Hepburn did sing the brief reprise of the song in tears. Some of Audrey Hepburn's original vocal performances for the film were released in the 1990’s, affording audiences an opportunity to judge whether the dubbing was necessary. Less well known is the dubbing of Jeremy Brett's songs (as Freddy Eynsford-Hill) by Bill Shirley. Rex Harrison declined to pre-record his musical numbers for the film, explaining that he had never talked his way through the songs the same way twice and thus could not convincingly lip-sync to a playback during filming (as musical stars had, according to Jack L. Warner, been doing for years and said, “We even dubbed Rin-Tin-Tin”). George Groves decided to use a wireless microphone, the first such use during filming of a motion picture. The sound department earned an Academy Award® for its efforts. In 2018, the film ‘MY FAIR LADY’ was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”
Cast: Audrey Hepburn, Rex Harrison, Stanley Holloway, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Gladys Cooper, Jeremy Brett, Theodore Bikel, Mona Washbourne, Isobel Elsom, John Holland, Elizabeth Aimers (uncredited), Helen Albrecht (uncredited), John Alderson (uncredited), Mary Alexander (uncredited), LaWana Backer (uncredited), Walter Bacon (uncredited), Al Bain (uncredited), Frank Baker (uncredited), Lois Battle (uncredited), Brittania Beatey (uncredited), William Beckley (uncredited), Marjorie Bennett (uncredited), Oscar Beregi Jr. (uncredited), Betty Blythe (uncredited), Diana Bourbon (uncredited), Iris Bristol (uncredited), Tex Brodus (uncredited), Sue Bronson (uncredited), Meg Brown (uncredited), Buddy Bryan (uncredited), Walter Burke (uncredited), Bea Marie Busch (uncredited), Colin Campbell (uncredited), Jeannie Carson (uncredited), Paulle Clark (uncredited), Natalie Core (uncredited), Tom Cound (uncredited), Jennifer Crier (uncredited), Maurice Dallimore (uncredited), Allison Daniell (uncredited), Henry Daniell (uncredited), Donna Day (uncredited), Roy Dean (uncredited), Thomas Dick (uncredited), Brendan Dillon (uncredited), Anne Dore (uncredited), Pauline Drake (uncredited), Harvey B. Dunn (uncredited), Sandy Edmundson (uncredited), Joe Evans (uncredited), Kai Farelli (uncredited), Ray Foster (uncredited), Stanley Fraser (uncredited), Charles Fredericks (uncredited), Lea Genovese (uncredited), Ayllene Gibbons (uncredited), Jack Goldie (uncredited), James Gonzalez (uncredited), Jack Greening (uncredited), Beatrice Grenough (uncredited), Stuart Hall (uncredited), Clive Halliday (uncredited), Sam Harris (uncredited), Marjory Hawtrey (uncredited), Eric Heath (uncredited), Monika Henreid (uncredited), Eugene Hoffman (uncredited), George Holmes (uncredited), Samuel Holmes (uncredited), Jimmie Horan (uncredited), Clyde Howdy (uncredited), Kendrick Huxham (uncredited), Lillian Kemble-Cooper (uncredited), Phyllis Kennedy (uncredited), Colin Kenny (uncredited), Goldie Kleban (uncredited), Peter Ladefoged (uncredited), Alma Lawton (uncredited), Queenie Leonard (uncredited), William Linkie (uncredited), Rico Lopez (uncredited), Moyna MacGill (uncredited), Laurie Main (uncredited), Sidney Marion (uncredited), Eric Martin (uncredited), Philo McCullough (uncredited), Owen McGiveney (uncredited), John McLiam (uncredited), Shirley Melline (uncredited), Carol Merrill (uncredited), Gigi Michel (uncredited), Lenore Miller (uncredited), John Mitchum (uncredited), Mike Morelli (uncredited), Barbara Morrison (uncredited), Marlene Morrow (uncredited), Alan Napier (uncredited), Nick Navarro (uncredited), Marni Nixon [Playback vocalist for Audrey Hepburn] (uncredited), James O'Hara (uncredited), Patrick O'Moore (uncredited), Richard Peel (uncredited), George Pelling (uncredited), Barbara Pepper (uncredited), Hilda Plowright (uncredited), Frank Radcliffe (uncredited), Jack Raine (uncredited), Olive Reeves-Smith (uncredited), Greg Rhinelander (uncredited), Christopher Riordan (uncredited), David Robel (uncredited), Dinah Anne Rogers (uncredited), Victor Rogers (uncredited), Corinne Ross (uncredited), Baroness Rothschild (uncredited), Jerry Rush (uncredited), Wendy Russell (uncredited), Kenny Salvatt (uncredited), Jeffrey Sayre (uncredited), Miriam Schiller (uncredited), Buddy Shea (uncredited), Orville Sherman (uncredited), Jacqueline Squire (uncredited), Michael St. Clair (uncredited), Geoffrey Steele (uncredited), Sandy Steffens (uncredited), Bert Stevens (uncredited), Grady Sutton (uncredited), Henry Sweetman (uncredited), William Taylor (uncredited), Joy Tierney (uncredited), Arthur Tovey (uncredited), Gwendolyn Watts (uncredited), Ron Whelan (uncredited), Elzada Wilson (uncredited), Nick Wolcum (uncredited), James Wood (uncredited), Ben Wright (uncredited) and Ben Wrigley (uncredited)
Director: George Cukor
Producer: Jack L. Warner
Screenplay: Alan Jay Lerner (book/screenplay) and George Bernard Shaw (from a play)
Composer: André Previn (uncredited)
Costumes: Cecil Beaton (costumes) and Michael Neuwirth (uncredited)
Cinematography: Henry A. Stradling Sr., A.S.C. (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080p (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio: 2.20:1 (Super Panavision®70)
Audio: English: 7.1 Dolby TrueHD
German: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Spanish: 1.0 Dolby Digital Mono Audio
French: 1.0 Dolby Digital Mono Audio
Italian: 1.0 Dolby Digital Mono Audio
Japanese: 1.0 Dolby Digital Mono Audio
English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English SDH, Danish, German, Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Japanese [Narrative], Norwegian, Portuguës, Finnish and Swedish
Running Time: 173 minutes
Region: Blu-ray: Region A/1
Number of discs: 2
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures / CBS / Paramount Pictures
Andrew’s Blu-ray Review: With the film ‘MY FAIR LADY’ [1964] Stephen Sondheim once said that ‘MY FAIR LADY’ was probably the greatest musical comedy ever made in the realm of sheer entertainment, and there are probably few who would argue with him. Lyrical and literate, ‘MY FAIR LADY’ was and is one of the apexes of the American musical theatre. Its 1964 film version is a handsome, über-faithful transcription of the theatre piece with two of its original cast recreating their roles and a top-flight set of actors filling in the other legendary parts with ease. Directed with controlled finesse and command by the veteran George Cukor, the film was pretty much everything one who loved the stage version could have hoped for. There may be no surprises or unusual innovations in the film, but the play’s dramatic, comedic, and musical merits have all been brought forward and play to perfection on the big screen. After the disastrous 2011 release of the film on Blu-ray, this new 4K restoration shines as never before on home video offering at last the definitive copy of the film for all to see and enjoy.
‘MY FAIR LADY’ is a film which remains popular, partly because it contains a message that remains relevant to modern audiences. It also perfectly combines all the elements of a great film into a winning package that continues to attract viewers. The picture was a financial and critical success winning eight Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Costume Design. But for me personally, I adore this musical for its’ cast, story, music and costumes.
Many considered it a controversial casting choice of Audrey Hepburn, which may have not been the perfect choice for Eliza Doolittle, who some say and rightly so, that Audrey Hepburn was too regal and naturally elegant to credibly play a poor Cockney working girl. But Audrey Hepburn was able to transform Eliza Doolittle’s cacophony of emotions as she learns to navigate the massive changes and demands of her new life. And I defy anyone to choose a better actress to play the transformed Eliza Doolittle.
One of the things that really makes this story so timeless, is that Eliza Doolittle’s quest for identity and independence. This is a desire everyone can relate to. Though the Professor Henry Higgins may just be tutoring Eliza Doolittle to win a bet, for her it’s a rare opportunity to change her life forever. Prior to this, Eliza Doolittle has been defined and restrained by her station in life. It’s her burning need for freedom which motivates her to continue her speech lessons with Professor Henry Higgins.
Eliza Doolittle pushes forward despite everyone, including her father who views her as a nuisance if not completely useless. Eliza Doolittle endures Professor Henry Higgins patronizing attitude, high handed demands and snobbish impatience with fortitude knowing that the end result will be worth her suffering. If no one truly values her, Eliza Doolittle values herself.
Based on the Broadway musical, which was adapted from the George Bernard Shaw play “Pygmalion,” and in the film ‘MY FAIR LADY’ we follow a dishevelled cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle [Audrey Hepburn] as she meets arrogant, misanthropic phonetics expert Professor Henry Higgins [Rex Harrison], who believes accent and tone of one’s voice determines a person’s prospects in society. Apprehensive of Eliza Doolitle’s thick working-class accent, Professor Henry Higgins bets his companion Colonel Pickering [Wilfrid Hyde- White] that, within six months, Professor Henry Higgins could transform Eliza Doolittle into a proper Victorian lady and could pass her off as a duchess at an embassy ball. The feature film includes revered musical numbers such as “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly,” “The Rain in Spain” and “Get Me to the Church on Time,” among many more, that is helped by the witty song writing, comical and charismatic performances by the two leads, and lush costumes and sets, this classic musical still engages decades after its initial release. Audrey Hepburn's unique comic flair is especially effective in the race scene at Ascot.
However, Alan Lerner and Frederick Lowe not only succeeded but did so brilliantly. They used the songs to not only progress the storyline but also to display the character’s more private thoughts and emotions not expressed in the dialogue. I never grow tired of singing along with my film soundtrack. Professor Henry Higgins opening number “Why Can’t the English” is a perfect introduction to his self-absorbed character that is passionate about the English language. But I also find his solo “I’m An Ordinary Man” a revealing look at his obtuse arrogance and pride.
As to the background to the film ‘MY FAIR LADY’ itself, the 2.20:1 framed video has incredible depth and dimension that is rarely limited by the camera’s perspective. The level of resolution present produces imagery that in many cases has a near infinite visual acuity that draws out the finest details in close ups while enhancing the delineation and textural nuance within objects and backgrounds. Wide angle shots of the Professor Henry Higgins house reveal the varied texture in the surfaces made of wood while the beautifully framed shots of the exteriors look stunning. Flesh tones exhibit lifelike textures with natural colour and vibrant complexions. Blacks exhibit exemplary dynamic range and appear deep and rich without compromise. Shadow detail is impressive and readily conveys strong dimensionality during the scenes shot in darkened areas and uneven light. Contrast and brightness work in tandem so that dark scenes exhibit good dynamic range and bright scenes are vivid without loss of detail. It should be noted that there are sequences in the film that utilize filtering to generate an intended softening/haze in order to create a mood/thematic visual effect. This is innate to the photography and should not be mistaken for noise reduction etc. Acclaimed film historian and preservationist Mr. Robert Harris oversaw the 4k restoration of ‘MY FAIR LADY’ and the results are totally outstanding.
The films originally recorded soundtrack has been re-mastered into a brilliant 7.1 Dolby TrueHD surround mix. Similar to the film restoration it is readily apparent that plenty of care went into the redesigned audio. The audio mix retains a front oriented perspective and features sparkling clarity and imaging. Dialogue is refined and tonally distinctive as it seamlessly blends with the front three channels. The vocal performances are sibilant free with smooth transitions and opulent texture. Excellent channel separation enhances the discerning of sound effects and the orchestrated elements present in the music as the sound field in the front of the room bristles with sonic detail. The surrounds are utilized for atmospheric extension that creates an enveloping presence that appreciably enhances the film’s superlative music. Good dynamic range provides solidity and weight to the audio without sounded unnatural. These primarily come in the form of mid bass associated with the music score and to a lesser degree in support of recorded elements that contain some lower bass content. I was extremely pleased with the outcome of this audio presentation. It highlights the strengths of the source material without ostentatious display and sounds great.
50 years after ‘MY FAIR LADY’ release, this beloved adaptation of the Broadway stage hit starring Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison remains as enchanting as ever. ‘MY FAIR LADY’ is the classic Hollywood film that epitomizes the lavishly entertaining musicals of its period. The collectible packaging is absolutely gorgeous providing secure slots for the discs in a fold out style hard case. This Blu-ray offering from Warner Bros. Pictures, CBS and Paramount Pictures is a befitting one that makes this the perfect gift for fans of this wonderful film.
BONUS: We get the original Intermission and Entr’acte to really enhance this amazing Hollywood musical film.
MY FAIR LADY MUSIC TRACK LIST
WHY CAN’T THE ENGLISH? (1956) (uncredited) (Music by Frederick Loewe) (Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner) [Performed by Rex Harrison, Wilfrid Hyde-White and Audrey Hepburn]
WOULDN’T IT BE LOVELY (1956) (uncredited) (Music by Frederick Loewe) (Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner) [Performed by Audrey Hepburn and dubbed by Marni Nixon and Ensemble]
THE FLOWER MARKET (uncredited) (Music by Frederick Loewe) (Instrumental)
I’M AN ORDINARY MAN (1956) (uncredited) (Music by Frederick Loewe) (Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner) [Performed by Rex Harrison]
WITH A LITTLE BIT OF LUCK (1956) (uncredited) (Music by Frederick Loewe) (Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner) [Performed by Stanley Holloway, John Alderson, John McLiam and Ensemble]
JUST YOU WAIT (1956) (uncredited) (Music by Frederick Loewe) (Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner) [Performed by Audrey Hepburn and partially dubbed by Marni Nixon]
THE SERVANTS’ CHORUS (1956) (uncredited) (Music by Frederick Loewe) (Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner) [Performed by Ensemble]
THE RAIN IN SPAIN (1956) (uncredited) (Music by Frederick Loewe) (Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner) [Performed by Rex Harrison, Wilfrid Hyde-White, and Audrey Hepburn and partially dubbed by Marni Nixon]
I COULD OF DANCED ALL NIGHT (1956) (uncredited) (Music by Frederick Loewe) (Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner) [Performed by Audrey Hepburn and partially dubbed by Marni Nixon, Mona Washbourne, and chambermaids]
ASCOT GAVOTTE (1956) (uncredited) (Music by Frederick Loewe) (Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner) [Music Played during the opening credits] [Performed by Christopher Riordan and Ensemble]
ASCOT GAVOTTE (Reprise) (1956) (uncredited) (Music by Frederick Loewe) (Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner) [Performed by Christopher Riordan and Ensemble]
ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE (1956) (uncredited) (Music by Frederick Loewe) (Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner) [Performed by Jeremy Brett and dubbed by Bill Shirley]
THE TRANSYLVANIAN MARCH (1956) (uncredited) (Music by Frederick Loewe) (Instrumental)
THE EMBASSY WALTZ (1956) (uncredited) (Music by Frederick Loewe) (Instrumental)
YOU DID IT (1956) (uncredited) (Music by Frederick Loewe) (Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner) [Performed by Rex Harrison, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Mona Washbourne and Servants' Ensemble]
JUST YOU WAIT (Reprise) (1956) (uncredited) (Music by Frederick Loewe) (Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner) [Performed by Audrey Hepburn]
ON THE STREET WHERE YOU LIVE (Reprise) (1956) (uncredited) (Music by Frederick Loewe) (Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner) [Performed by Jeremy Brett and dubbed by Bill Shirley]
SHOW ME (1956) (uncredited) (Music by Frederick Loewe) (Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner) [Performed by Audrey Hepburn and dubbed by Marni Nixon and Jeremy Brett and dubbed by Bill Shirley]
THE FLOWER MARKET (1956) (uncredited) (Reprise of "Wouldn't it be Loverly") (Music by Frederick Loewe) (Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner) [Performed by Audrey Hepburn and dubbed by Marni Nixon and Ensemble]
GET ME TO THE CHURCH ON TIME (1956) (uncredited) (Music by Frederick Loewe) (Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner) [Performed by Stanley Holloway, John Alderson, John McLiam and Ensemble]
A HYMN FOR HIM (1956) (uncredited) (Music by Frederick Loewe) (Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner) [Performed by Rex Harrison and Wilfrid Hyde-White]
WITHOUT YOU (1956) (uncredited) (Music by Frederick Loewe) (Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner) [Performed by Audrey Hepburn and partially dubbed by Marni Nixon and Rex Harrison]
I’VE GROWN ACCUSTOMED TO HER FACE (1956) (uncredited) (Music by Frederick Loewe) (Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner) [Performed by Rex Harrison]
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Blu-ray Image Quality – Warner Bros. Pictures, CBS and Paramount Pictures presents the film ‘MY FAIR LADY’ with a 2.20:1 Super Panavision 70 theatrical aspect ratio and to finally be present in this stunning and totally awesome 1080p image using the AVC codec. The faded sides of the previous Blu-ray release now thankfully fades into memory as one observes this stunning restoration with a spotless transfer that’s sharp and very detailed, and all the better to observe facial features and the intricacies in the hair designs and the astounding wardrobe creations and sets. The Technicolor is beautifully lush and appealing but never over-the-top, and bright colours such as reds and purples are wonderfully under control while still offering impressive saturation levels. Contrast has been consistently maintained, and black levels are wonderfully rich and deep. I tip my hat to Mr. Robert A. Harris [American Film Historian, Archivist, and Film Preservationist], Warner Bros. Pictures, CBS and Paramount Pictures. This is one of the most impressive high definition presentations I have seen to date. It is an immaculate and faithful reproduction that befits one of the most beloved films of all time.
Blu-ray Audio Quality – Warner Bros. Pictures, CBS and Paramount Pictures brings the film ‘MY FAIR LADY’ with a wonderful rich 7.1 Dolby TrueHD sound mix offers the best-ever presentation of the Oscar-winning sound design and music scoring for the film. There is wonderful spread of the music in all available channels with instrumentation divided obviously in various channels. There is some directional led dialogue, too, though most of it has been placed in the centre channel. There is a healthy amount of bass present in the mix though it is not accentuated to the distraction of the other channels. The annoying and frustrating reverb from the previous Blu-ray is not present here though Rex Harrison’s live recordings of his vocals still sound just the tiniest bit arid and electronic especially in “I’m an Ordinary Man” and bits of “You Did It!” Split atmospheric effects aren’t frequent, but when they do occur like the horses galloping at Ascot, for example.
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Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
Special Feature: More Loverly Than Ever: The Making of ‘MY FAIR LADY’ Then and Now [1994] [1080i / 480i] [1.37:1] [57:58] This marvellous 30th anniversary documentary chronicles the musical's evolution, transition from stage to screen, and meticulous restoration. Originally included on the film's 1994 VHS release and narrated by co-star Jeremy Brett, who points out that 50% of all films have disappeared. But, at every step of the way, the documentary returns to its main theme: the disaster that was averted when the film’s deterioration in vaults was discovered. The in-depth examination seamlessly shifts between the history of the musical, production anecdotes, and the complicated technical process of rejuvenating the film ‘MY FAIR LADY.’ The heroes are Robert A. Harris and James C. Katz, who spearheaded the six-month $600,000 image renovation. Their team clearly explains to viewers their digital corrections, audio remastering and colour timing, as the hour constantly points up the fragility of the 70mm film. We also get to view before-and-after examples show the film's previous wretched state and wondrous makeover, proving once again the vital, urgent nature of film preservation and restoration. The documentary drops in plenty of interesting titbits, such as Rex Harrison's refusal to lip-sync to a recorded vocal track that he sang live instead, and how Audrey Hepburn performed to her own and ultimately unused vocals, creating quite a dubbing challenge for Marni Nixon. We also learn about a breakdown of relations between director George Cukor and costume designer Cecil Beaton, and hear Dame Julie Andrews' views on losing the role the actress created on the Broadway stage. Contributors include: Jeremy Brett [Actor/Host], Grace Mirabella [Founder of Mirabella Magazine], Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber [Composer/Lyricist], Julian Holloway [Actor/Son of Stanley Holloway], Martin Scorsese [Director/Fim Presenter], Army Archerd [Senior Columnist for Variety], Nancy Olson-Livingston [Former wife of Alan Jay Lerner], Gene Allen [Art Director of ‘MY FAIR LADY’], John F. Burnett [Assistant Editor of ‘MY FAIR LADY’], Robert A. Harris [Film Restorer], James C. Katz [Restoration Producer], Kevin Lingenfelser [Digital Artist], Rex Harrison [Professor Henry Higgins] (archive footage), Marni Nixon [Vocal Dubbing for Audrey Hepburn], Robert J. Litt [Re-Recording Mixer], Dame Julie Andrews [“Eliza Doolittle” in stage version of “My Fair Lady”], Theodore Bikel [Zoltan Karpathy in ‘MY FAIR LADY’], Rex Reed Film Critic], Rudi Fehr [Former Head of Warner Brothers Post Production], Audrey Hepburn [Eliza Doolittle] (archive footage), George Cukor [Director] (archive sound), Bob Mackie [Costume Designer], Cecil Beaton [Costume Designer] and Michael Hyatt [Assistant Editor for ‘MY FAIR LADY’ Restoration].
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Special Feature: Vintage Behind-the-Scenes Footage: 1963 Production Kick-Off Dinner [1963] [480i] [1.37:1] [23:20] After some silent clips of the dinner itself which lasts for One minute and 35 seconds and also happens at around 16:07 we get again no sound and around 16:34 the sound comes back. But most important we then finally get to hear interviews with Audrey Hepburn, Rex Harrison and studio chief Jack L. Warner follow, as well as excerpts from a press conference. A radiant Audrey Hepburn discusses how she trusts her artistic instincts when choosing a role, while Rex Harrison charmingly (if a little testy) defends what the interviewer cites as his “difficult behaviour” on the set of the then-forthcoming ‘Cleopatra’ film. The interviewer asking the questions is a totally vacuous brain dead moron and is such a biased American. Both actors Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison are very diplomatic in their replies to the very biased interviewer and made the interviewer sound like a really stupid idiot, and Jack L. Warner talk about the differences between making movies in Europe and Hollywood that was a hot topic of conversation at the time, and how finances and schedules are easier to monitor and control in California. Some of the black-and-white footage is a bit scratchy and rough, some of it is out of sync at times, but it's a great historical document of a transitional period in Hollywood history.
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Special Feature: Vintage Newsreel Footage: Los Angeles Premiere 10/28/1964 [1964] [480i] [1.37:1] [4:53] Here we get to view a black-and-white newsreel footage where the cameras captured the glitz and glamour of the Los Angeles premiere of the film ‘MY FAIR LADY’ on the 28th October, 1964 at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood that is located at 6706 Hollywood Blvd., and documents the arrival of an impressive array of stars, including Rex Harrison, Ed Bigley, Mr. and Mrs. Steve McQueen, Hoagy Carmichael, Yul Brynner, Natalie Wood, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and his wife, Barbara Rush, Rock Hudson, Maureen O'Hara, Angie Dickinson, Eddie Fisher, Sonja Henie, Jack L. Warner, Donna Reed, James Stewart and wife, Steve McQueen, Lucille Ball, Fred MacMurray and wife, Gary Morton and wife and many more guests we get to see arrive.
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Special Feature: Vintage Newsreel Footage: British Premier 10/28/1964 [1964] [1080p] [1.37:1] [2:17] Here we get to view a gloriously restored colour footage of the special event and introduces us to the stars and guests at a red carpet reception for the London Premiere for the film ‘MY FAIR LADY’ on the 28th October, 1964 and includes the appearances of producer Jack L. Warner; production designer Cecil Beaton, actor Jeremy Brett, actor Rex Harrison arriving with Vivien Leigh, Audrey Hepburn on the arm of husband Mel Ferrer and the event's hostess, England's Princess Alexandria.
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Special Feature: George Cukor Directs Baroness Bina Rothschild [Audio only] [1964] [1080p] [1.78:1] [2:39] Here we get to view a number of colour stills of George Cukor directing various portions of the film run simultaneously with an audio clip of him working with Baroness Bina Rothschild on the delivery of a single line. The rare excerpt provides a glimpse of George Cukor's inimitable style of directing.
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Special Feature: Rex Harrison Radio Interview [Audio only] [1964] [1080p] [1.78:1] [1:06] Here we get to hear a very brief radio interview, in which Rex Harrison praises the production and his leading lady Audrey Hepburn and is accompanied with colour production and publicity photos.
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Special Feature: Production Tests [1964] [1080p] [2.20:1 / 1.37:1] [7:04] Here we get to meet Alex Hyde-White who is pleased to introduce this special feature and of course is the son of actor Wilfred Hyde-White, who portrays Colonel Pickering in the film ‘MY FAIR LADY,’ and describes a series of interesting production tests, and fondly remembers his father, and also recalls visiting the Warner Bros. backlot as a four-year-old. Included are an interior lighting test of Professor Henry Higgins' study, a makeup test of Wilfred Hyde-White, a rain test on the Covent Garden set, a light test on the Covent Garden set, and an alternate screen test featuring actors Ben Wright as Professor Henry Higgins and John Williams as Colonel Pickering. We are informed that the test images we get to view were filmed on a 65mm negative and luckily survived because it was preserved in the Warner Bros. archive. This special feature is dedicated to the memory of Ben Wright [1915 – 1989] and Jon Williams [1903 – 1983].
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Special Feature: Alternate Audrey Hepburn Vocals [1964] [480i] [1.78:1] [7:00] Here we get to see and hear Audrey Hepburn singing two songs, with her own vocals for the film ‘MY FAIR LADY’ which were of course dubbed by Marni Nixon. While far from being “bad,” I personally thought Audrey Hepburn's own vocals revealed a style that was totally suited towards her character of Eliza Doolittle and of course Audrey Hepburn's overall style is similar to that of Rex Harrison's style of singing due to not being a trained singer and it is up to you to decide whether Audrey Hepburn's vocals should have been dubbed by Marni Nixon and here is what we get to view:
Show Me [1964] [1080p] [2.20:1] [2:48]
Wouldn’t It Be Loverly [1964] [1080p] [2.20:1] [4:32]
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Special Feature: Comments On A Lady: Here we get to view two brief separate rare interviews and they are as follows:
Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber [1964] [480i] [1.37:1] [1:04] Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber recalls how illness forced Alan Jay Lerner to withdraw from their impending collaboration on the film ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ — which was one of the great disappointments of Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber's career.
Martin Scorsese [1964] [480i] [1.37:1] [1:19] Director Martin Scorsese discusses film preservation and the establishment of The Film Foundation is a US-based non-profit organization dedicated to film preservation and the exhibition of restored and classic cinema. It was founded by director Martin Scorsese and several other leading filmmakers in 1990. Martin Scorsese says, “Movies touch our hearts, awaken our vision, and change the way we see things. They take us to other places. They open doors and minds. Movies are the memories of our lifetime. We need to keep them alive.”
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Special Feature: Galleries: Here we get to view four separate featurette galleries and to enter each one you first have to highlight the word NEXT with your ENTER button on your remote control. Then to view all of the images you have to use the < > buttons either side of the ENTER button to either advance or reverse to browse the image gallery and they are as follows:
Cecil Beaton Sketches: Here we get to view two separate Cecil Beaton featurette galleries and they are as follows:
Character: Here you get to view some amazing and wonderful hand drawn Cecil Beaton’s character costume sketches that the main actors wore in the film ‘MY FAIR LADY.’
Costume: Here you get to view a plethora of wonderful and amazing Cecil Beaton’s hand drawn sketches of the glorious elegant costumes that the extras wore in the film ‘MY FAIR LADY.’ Plus, some amazing sketch set designs for the scenes in Covent Garden.
Black and White Stills: Here we get to view two separate featurette galleries and they are as follows:
Production Stills: Here you get to view a variety of some stunning behind-the-scene black-and-white production stills, and quite a few of Jack L. Warner and also some images from the film ‘MY FAIR LADY.’
Wardrobe: Here you get to view some stunning black-and-white images of the amazing and glamorous Cecil Beaton’s designed costumes that everyone wore in the film ‘MY FAIR LADY.’
Color Production Stills: Here you get to view some spectacular behind-the-scene colour production images of the different sets in the film. Also we get to view photographs of scenes with the actors on the film set of ‘MY FAIR LADY.’ We also view lots of glamorous costumes worn by the ladies who also appear in the film ‘MY FIAR LADY.’ Plus some of the male actors that appear in the film and we also get some images of Cecil Beaton.
Documents and Publicity: Here you get to view a plethora of black-and-white images of lots of rare documents and publicity items relating to the promotion of the film ‘MY FAIR LADY.’ Also we get some rare items entitled “MASTERS OF THEIR CRAFT,” “ACE CAMERAMAN” and “AREN’T THEY LOVELY.” Also lots of behind-the-scene rare images and publicity material relating to film ‘MY FAIR LADY.’
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Special Feature: Trailers: Here we get to view seven separate trailer featurettes relating to the up and coming release of the film ‘MY FAIR LADY’ and they are as follows:
Teaser Trailer with City Tags [1964] [1080p] [2.20:1] [1:13] This informs us the theatres’ in America where the film ‘MY FAIR LADY’ will be shown and they are Hollywood, New York City, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., San Francisco and Chicago. As usual, you can watch each City Tag separately or Play All.
With Pride Trailer [1964] [1080p] [1.37:1] [1:11]
Awards Trailer [1964] [1080p] [2.20:1] [1:04]
Theatrical Reissue: Poster Illustration [1964] [1080p] [1.37:1] [0:58]
Theatrical Reissue: Poster Illustration Reserved Seats Trailer [1964] [1080p] [2.20:1] [1:25]
Theatrical Reissue: Poster Illustration Awards [1964] [1080p] [2.20:1] [1:25]
Theatrical Reissue [1969] [1080i] [2.20:1] [3:48]
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Special Feature: Theatrical Featurettes: Here we get to view three separate featurettes and they are as follows:
The Story of a Lady [1964] [1080p] [1.37:1] [5:05] Here we get to view a vintage promotional short focuses on the success of the Broadway production of “My Fair Lady,” the record sum paid by Warner Bros. Pictures for the film rights, casting, and the meticulous construction of the opulent sets and costumes that grace the movie. We get to view lots of behind-the-scenes footage – all of it in colour and really enhance the lustre to this slick featurette.
Special Feature: Design for a Lady [1964] [1080p] [1.37:1] [8:00] Here we get to view a comparison to the previous promotional short, this piece looks at the research that goes into the film's design and allows the artistic director, Cecil Beaton, the chance to cite the tremendous attention to detail and authenticity that permeates every aspect of production, with particular attention paid to the Ascot racing scene and the outlandish hats that make such a stylish statement in the picture and a really fascinating look into how Cecil Beaton came to be the major contributor to the wonderful designed costumes he created that made ‘MY FAIR LADY’ look so spectacular.
Special Feature: The Fairest Fair Lady [1964] [480i] [1.37:1] [10:00] This entertaining studio-produced short hypes the film ‘MY FAIR LADY’ while examining various stages of its production, paying special attention to the extras and their gruelling make-up and costume routine and an entire Warner Bros. soundstage was reserved for this assembly-line procedure. We get to view glimpses of the editor, cinematographer, and various members of the technical crew at work are also included.
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Special Feature: Awards: Here we get to view three separate award featurettes and they are as follows:
Rex Harrison BFI Honor [1964] [1080p] [1.37:1] [2:08] Here get a short pre-recorded thank you of a black-and-white video from actor Rex Harrison on the Warner Bros. set of ‘MY FAIR LADY’ where he thanks the British Film Institute for honouring him for his work in films and also takes the opportunity to reminisce on past works of films he has appeared in and they included ‘Anna and the King of Siam” [1946], ‘Caesar and Cleopatra’ [1945], ‘The Ghost and Mrs. Muir’ [1947], ‘Escape’ [1948], ‘Storm in a Teacup’ [1937] and ‘Major Barbara’ [1941].
Vintage Footage: Rex Harrison Golden Globe Acceptance Speech [1964] [1080p] [1.37:1] [0:47] Here we get to view a short pre-recorded black-and-white acceptance speech by the actor Rex Harrison for his nominations for his performance in ‘MY FAIR LADY,’ and also thanks Andy Williams for inviting him onto his television programme “The Andy Williams Show” and also apologises for not being at the Golden Globes ceremony due to film commitments in Europe, but foes not inform us what the filmis.
Special Feature: Academy Awards® Ceremony Highlights 4/5/1965 [1965] [480i] [1.37:1] [2:09] Here we get to view a brief black-and-white television broadcast of the 37th Annual Academy Awards on the 5th April, 1965 and the main categories featured are Best Director Category for George Cukor, Studio Chief Jack L. Warner accepting the Best Picture Category for ‘MY FAIR LADY’ and actor Rex Harrison accepting the Best Actor Category.
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DVD DISC:
MY FAIR LADY [1964 / 2015] [50th Anniversary Edition] [DVD]
Cast: Audrey Hepburn, Rex Harrison, Stanley Holloway, Wilfrid Hyde-White, Gladys Cooper, Jeremy Brett, Theodore Bikel, Mona Washbourne, Isobel Elsom, John Holland, Elizabeth Aimers (uncredited), Helen Albrecht (uncredited), John Alderson (uncredited), Mary Alexander (uncredited), LaWana Backer (uncredited), Walter Bacon (uncredited), Al Bain (uncredited), Frank Baker (uncredited), Lois Battle (uncredited), Brittania Beatey (uncredited), William Beckley (uncredited), Marjorie Bennett (uncredited), Oscar Beregi Jr. (uncredited), Betty Blythe (uncredited), Diana Bourbon (uncredited), Iris Bristol (uncredited), Tex Brodus (uncredited), Sue Bronson (uncredited), Meg Brown (uncredited), Buddy Bryan (uncredited), Walter Burke (uncredited), Bea Marie Busch (uncredited), Colin Campbell (uncredited), Jeannie Carson (uncredited), Paulle Clark (uncredited), Natalie Core (uncredited), Tom Cound (uncredited), Jennifer Crier (uncredited), Maurice Dallimore (uncredited), Allison Daniell (uncredited), Henry Daniell (uncredited), Donna Day (uncredited), Roy Dean (uncredited), Thomas Dick (uncredited), Brendan Dillon (uncredited), Anne Dore (uncredited), Pauline Drake (uncredited), Harvey B. Dunn (uncredited), Sandy Edmundson (uncredited), Joe Evans (uncredited), Kai Farelli (uncredited), Ray Foster (uncredited), Stanley Fraser (uncredited), Charles Fredericks (uncredited), Lea Genovese (uncredited), Ayllene Gibbons (uncredited), Jack Goldie (uncredited), James Gonzalez (uncredited), Jack Greening (uncredited), Beatrice Grenough (uncredited), Stuart Hall (uncredited), Clive Halliday (uncredited), Sam Harris (uncredited), Marjory Hawtrey (uncredited), Eric Heath (uncredited), Monika Henreid (uncredited), Eugene Hoffman (uncredited), George Holmes (uncredited), Samuel Holmes (uncredited), Jimmie Horan (uncredited), Clyde Howdy (uncredited), Kendrick Huxham (uncredited), Lillian Kemble-Cooper (uncredited), Phyllis Kennedy (uncredited), Colin Kenny (uncredited), Goldie Kleban (uncredited), Peter Ladefoged (uncredited), Alma Lawton (uncredited), Queenie Leonard (uncredited), William Linkie (uncredited), Rico Lopez (uncredited), Moyna MacGill (uncredited), Laurie Main (uncredited), Sidney Marion (uncredited), Eric Martin (uncredited), Philo McCullough (uncredited), Owen McGiveney (uncredited), John McLiam (uncredited), Shirley Melline (uncredited), Carol Merrill (uncredited), Gigi Michel (uncredited), Lenore Miller (uncredited), John Mitchum (uncredited), Mike Morelli (uncredited), Barbara Morrison (uncredited), Marlene Morrow (uncredited), Alan Napier (uncredited), Nick Navarro (uncredited), Marni Nixon [Playback vocalist for Audrey Hepburn] (uncredited), James O'Hara (uncredited), Patrick O'Moore (uncredited), Richard Peel (uncredited), George Pelling (uncredited), Barbara Pepper (uncredited), Hilda Plowright (uncredited), Frank Radcliffe (uncredited), Jack Raine (uncredited), Olive Reeves-Smith (uncredited), Greg Rhinelander (uncredited), Christopher Riordan (uncredited), David Robel (uncredited), Dinah Anne Rogers (uncredited), Victor Rogers (uncredited), Corinne Ross (uncredited), Baroness Rothschild (uncredited), Jerry Rush (uncredited), Wendy Russell (uncredited), Kenny Salvatt (uncredited), Jeffrey Sayre (uncredited), Miriam Schiller (uncredited), Buddy Shea (uncredited), Orville Sherman (uncredited), Jacqueline Squire (uncredited), Michael St. Clair (uncredited), Geoffrey Steele (uncredited), Sandy Steffens (uncredited), Bert Stevens (uncredited), Grady Sutton (uncredited), Henry Sweetman (uncredited), William Taylor (uncredited), Joy Tierney (uncredited), Arthur Tovey (uncredited), Gwendolyn Watts (uncredited), Ron Whelan (uncredited), Elzada Wilson (uncredited), Nick Wolcum (uncredited), James Wood (uncredited), Ben Wright (uncredited) and Ben Wrigley (uncredited)
Director: George Cukor
Producer: Jack L. Warner
Screenplay: Alan Jay Lerner (book/screenplay) and George Bernard Shaw (from a play)
Composer: André Previn (uncredited)
Costumes: Cecil Beaton (costumes) and Michael Neuwirth (uncredited)
Cinematography: Henry A. Stradling Sr., A.S.C. (Director of Photography)
Image Resolution: 1080i (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio: 2.20:1 (Super Panavision®70)
Audio: English: 5.1 Dolby Digital Audio
Subtitles: English SDH,
Running Time: 173 minutes
Region: DVD: NTSC
Number of discs: 1
Studio: Warner Bros. Pictures / CBS / Paramount Pictures
Finally, ‘MY FAIR LADY’ and its 50th Anniversary Edition is a top rated cinematic gem for all fans of this ultimate classic Hollywood musical. The picture quality is absolutely dazzling and the sound, too, is practically a revelation. There are just not enough superlatives to describe the experience. The previous release looked decent enough on its own but the difference between "decent enough" and "practically as perfect as the day it first screened in 1964" is a leap that precious few vintage releases have enjoyed. The sound is terrific, too, which can be easy to overlook given a picture quality that amazes with, literally, every new scene. The added supplements are a treat and the only disappointment with the release is that it doesn't contain a new commentary track with Restoration Artist Robert A. Harris discussing what must have been nothing short of a labour of love. Every Blu-ray owner needs to make this release their centrepiece of their collection. This is a prime example of “they don’t make them like they used to.” ‘MY FAIR LADY’ epitomizes everything that classic Hollywood did and did right. This new Blu-ray version knocks it out of the park in the technical department and though we’ve lost some supplements from previous versions, new ones have been added while retaining the majority of the previously-existing ones. CBS/Paramount’s 50th Anniversary Blu-ray is a peerless example of the sort of quality treatment all movies deserve in hi-definition, though too few actually receive. This disc is an absolute must have, reference-quality collector’s dream to be treasured by anyone who loves movies. Now isn’t that ‘loverly’? Very Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
