"The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain".
When you've spent the last two months of your life studying linguistics and phonetics in particular, this phrase automatically comes to mind. As well as the "Har, har, har..." repeated by the female protagonist who tried to achieve the correct pronunciation of h. (My dear Audrey, after so many rehearsals that we did in the workshop, I understand how tiring it is... ). This whole experience gave me the reason for today's post...as I watched (again) one of my favorite musicals,
"My Fair Lady"
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The plot is based on the ancient Greek myth of Pygmalion, the sculptor who fell in love with one of his sculptures, that eventually came to life. But more specifically it is the adapation of George Bernard Shaw's work "Pygmalion". Our male protagonist this time is not a sculptor, but a professor of phonetics (Shaw was very interested in linguistics and phonetics, so much so that he had included in his will a prototype of a new English alphabet), Professor Higgins (Rex Harrison). An arrogant man of aristocratic descent who could tell one's parentage to within a block and sometimes within two or three London streets. His chance meeting with a poor girl who sold flowers, Eliza Doolittle, (Audrey Hepburn) will change both their lives. Eliza wants to change herself in order to change her life and Higgins, in his arrogance, makes a bet that he can radically change the "uneducated" (as he calls her) Eliza and make her look like an aristocrat. What he succeeds in the end is that he falls in love with his creation, as another Pygmalion.
Don't get me started about how much I was excited about the phonetics. (As I already said, I spent that last two months reading about linguistics and phonetics. Professor Higgins (even though, modern linguistics studies don't agree totally with him) reminded me of my professor. Not so much in appearance, but in his devotion to linguistics. There is also a referance to Professor Sweet that was the Shaw's muse for the role of professor Higgins (too much linguistics, I know). And I really enjoyed the first scene, in which professor Higgins complain about the English language, "Why can't the English learn to speak?"
After all, it was not the first time he was introduced to this role, since for several years he played it on the stage with Julie Andrews before transferring to the big screen. It was like the role was written for him.
But the one who dominated my screen every time she appeared in a scene, was Audrey Hepburn. I have read in several articles about this specifiic film that Audrey Hepburn was not the first choice. They thought that with her aristocratic figure she would not be able to convince as a poor flower girl. The result showed the exact opposite. Especially in the first scenes in which she appears, with this thick accent of hers, it makes us believe that she came from the most popular neighborhoods of London and had grown up in the aristocratic salons. Her transformation brought out her beauty and her innate charm. The ugly duckling who became a swan. And it was that stubborness of Eliza that won the heart of professor Higgins and ours.
Even though the movie is a musical, I can't say I was blown away by its music tracks. By God, I'm not saying it's not good, how could I, when the film's score won an Oscar, or some of the songs are still written with golden letters in film history? For me the scores that stood out were the unrepeatable rendition of "A Little Bit of Luck" by Stanley Holloway and of course the part that includes my favorite line.
But alas, I also remember feeling irritated about the behavior of professor Higgins towards Eliza, even the first time I watched this film and this re-run confirmed my aggrivation against him. As a character he is particularly strict with Eliza, to the point of ignoring all her feelings and treating her like a soulless doll, just another one of his machines. And as much as I understand the reasons for this particular portrayal of the character, there was still an anger inside every time Eliza's contribution was ignored.
Although, these would usually make me dislike a film, there are so many others features that made me adore it. First of all, the comic scenes, such as the small talk that Eliza tried in Ascott or the one that the piece of paper in her hand caught fire. Then, the wardrode. Each and every one of the gowns that Eliza wore in formal gatherings was ab-so-lu-te-ly FABULOUS, The white dress that she wore in Ascott and the hat with the white and black details is one of my favourite. so was the gown and the hairstyle that she had in the reception.
But finally what won me over was the magnificent, exquisite Audrey Hepburn. Who would dislike a film with her in? Not me, for sure.
This film is a classic romance.George Cucor, the director, was an excellent maestro of the kind. But, not with the style that we are used nowadays. No kiss (as we see in today's films) is seen in any of the scenes. For some (or should I say most of us?) it might seem old style, full of values and beliefs that are now believed to be outdated. Maybe some people find it offensive. But I think we should treat it for what it is: an old Hollywood movie, a little jewel of cinema history and enjoy it as such. After all, it was filmed in 1964, over half a century ago, when even though the old school of cinema still existed, the new era of directorial concepts was beginning. And this film also marks the end of that era.
So, join me and let's all recite together: "The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain".
PS 1. In the same year, 1964, "Mary Poppins" was filmed with Julie Andrews, and these two films competed at the Oscars. Guess who won the most?
PS 2 Please wish me to pass my exams in the vocal class I gave the previous days.
