I finally saw Pygmalion many years ago, knowing before that it existed and was what My Fair Lady was based on. But I hadn't been inclined to try to find and watch it. But when I finally did, I was truly surprised and impressed with how wonderful it really was. My bias before that was based, obviously, on how delightful MFL and its music is, and I had thought Pygmalion could only be a disappointment in comparison.
But what a surprise for me when I finally did see it. And an added plus (for me, anyway) is that it doesn't really "compete" with MFL, so that I couldn't really even say which one I "like better," sort of trying to decide which is better, roses or chocolate ice cream. They both are, simply, wonderful things unto themselves with no need of critical comparison. (In fact, seeing today's entry and typing this reply makes me think I should look it up and watch it again. Hmmm...
I would also recommend checking out Leslie Howard as the wandering poet in The Petrified Forest, a role he had originated on Broadway. The play also included Humphrey Bogart as the outlaw Duke Mantee. Reportedly, Howard refused to appear in the movie unless Warner Brothers cast Bogart as well. It seemed to have ignited Bogart’s Hollywood career.
In the old days, you’d know when PBS was doing their week-long pledge drive, because that’s when they’d take a break from their mundane offerings and put on the audience favorites - Victor Borge, etc. The fundamental flaw of your pledge drive is you have priceless audience favorites every day!
But thank you for this. My Fair Lady has been my favorite musical for many years, but I never knew Leslie Howard’s role writing the Pygmalion screenplay, that’s amazing!
I thought I knew where you were going for your song of the week based on Monday’s post but now that you’ve introduced this play, all bets are off..
When I was teaching linguistics to sixth-form students (equivalent to Grades 11 and 12 in the USA), I used to play the video of this to my students to teach them the difference between accent and dialect: at Mrs Higgins' 'At Home', Eliza is using her newly-acquired Received Pronunciation accent but combining it with her native Cockney dialect, to hilarious effect.
I finally saw Pygmalion many years ago, knowing before that it existed and was what My Fair Lady was based on. But I hadn't been inclined to try to find and watch it. But when I finally did, I was truly surprised and impressed with how wonderful it really was. My bias before that was based, obviously, on how delightful MFL and its music is, and I had thought Pygmalion could only be a disappointment in comparison.
But what a surprise for me when I finally did see it. And an added plus (for me, anyway) is that it doesn't really "compete" with MFL, so that I couldn't really even say which one I "like better," sort of trying to decide which is better, roses or chocolate ice cream. They both are, simply, wonderful things unto themselves with no need of critical comparison. (In fact, seeing today's entry and typing this reply makes me think I should look it up and watch it again. Hmmm...
I would also recommend checking out Leslie Howard as the wandering poet in The Petrified Forest, a role he had originated on Broadway. The play also included Humphrey Bogart as the outlaw Duke Mantee. Reportedly, Howard refused to appear in the movie unless Warner Brothers cast Bogart as well. It seemed to have ignited Bogart’s Hollywood career.
In the old days, you’d know when PBS was doing their week-long pledge drive, because that’s when they’d take a break from their mundane offerings and put on the audience favorites - Victor Borge, etc. The fundamental flaw of your pledge drive is you have priceless audience favorites every day!
But thank you for this. My Fair Lady has been my favorite musical for many years, but I never knew Leslie Howard’s role writing the Pygmalion screenplay, that’s amazing!
I thought I knew where you were going for your song of the week based on Monday’s post but now that you’ve introduced this play, all bets are off..
When I was teaching linguistics to sixth-form students (equivalent to Grades 11 and 12 in the USA), I used to play the video of this to my students to teach them the difference between accent and dialect: at Mrs Higgins' 'At Home', Eliza is using her newly-acquired Received Pronunciation accent but combining it with her native Cockney dialect, to hilarious effect.