Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Guest Blog Post from Sally of Flying Down to Hollywood!

The marvelous Sally from Flying Down to Hollywood, a perfectly marvelous blog (you really ought to visit her! Her blog is tons of fun.) about old movies (with some new thrown in from time to time!) has been kind enough to agree to do a guest post! Thank you, Sally!

First of all, I’d like to thank Emma for this wonderful opportunity to be a guest blogger! This is my first time guest blogging and I feel very honored! Now, I was trying to figure out what to write and I finally decided to blend my love of old movies with Emma’s recent song sketch. The result? Audrey Hepburn!


Audrey Hepburn is easy to love; you don’t even have to know anything about her to love her. Her beauty, sexiness, and sophistication are apparent, making her easy to admire. Her appeal spans generations as the college dorms filled with Audrey Hepburn posters and photos will attest.
Many of Audrey Hepburn’s roles are famous in their way and show a side to her that audiences enjoy relating to. Roman Holiday (1953), for instance, was her first major film. The princess she plays in the film is a wonderful blend of independence and romance, of responsibility and spontaneity. (Two fascinating sidenotes about this film: she won an Oscar for her role in it; Gregory Peck didn’t like the idea of playing opposite an unknown actress but, after meeting the unknown actress, fought for her to get equal billing.) Her style, vulnerability, and eccentricity in Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) have helped in her icon-like status. Her spunky Jo Stockton in Funny Face (1957) proved that beauty and brains can blend together into a delightful package. This film contained such classic moments as the photograph with the balloons (shown here) and her memorable dancing, which was featured in
a Gap ad.


Now, when you think of My Fair Lady (1964), it’s a slightly different story, somehow. It’s still Audrey Hepburn. She’s still elegant, beautiful, and spunky. The controversy over her as a casting choice (many argued that Julie Andrews should have reprised her Broadway role as Eliza Doolittle) helped My Fair Lady to be more or less forgotten as an Audrey Hepburn classic. She was overlooked when the Academy Awards rolled around (ironically, Julie Andrews won for Mary Poppins) and today, those same college students who apply Holly Golightly to their walls forget that she was even in My Fair Lady.

So, I highly recommend revisiting the film and wonder why Audrey Hepburn did not earn at least an Oscar nod, marvel at her beauty, and either laugh or groan (depending on your perspective) at the final line. And along the way, or perhaps just afterwards, I highly recommend revisiting Emma’s beautiful rendition of Wouldn’t it be Loverly?

32 comments:

  1. i didn't know much about Audrey, but i love her more after this post and Emma's song :) ... thanks Sally & Emma!

    bystacy.com

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  2. Wonderful guest blog, Sally! Audrey is so iconic. I like the you mentioned My Fair Lady because I too think it is often overlooked as an Audrey classic. My favorite films of hers are The Nun's Story and Wait Until Dark, which also need more love!

    pixiedrivein.blogspot.com

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  3. I consider myself a major Audrey fan, but I really need to watch Roman Holiday. I can't believe I haven't seen it yet! Shame. Thanks for the great post!

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  4. Thank you so much, Emma for the wonderful opportunity to guest blog! It was so much fun!!

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  5. great topic -- ms. hepburn is easy to love. her movies are a joy to watch!

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  6. oh my goodness.
    i HEART Audrey Hepburn SO MUCH.
    She's my biggest inspiration!!!

    this is such a lovely post.
    i send you kisses and hugs :)))

    ~mita

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  7. Great post, Sally! I agree this film is always overlooked as an Audrey Hepburn movie but it's really one of her best performances. When I was little I always wanted to be Eliza Doolittle (pre-Henry Higgins Eliza, I was a strange child.)

    And Emma, I loved your Wouldn't it be Loverly!! Absolutely wonderful!

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  8. very good blog, congratulations
    regard from Reus Catalonia
    thank you

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  9. What a lovely post :) I love Audrey Hepburn & her films too.

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  10. audrey hepburn is one of my idols <3

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  11. wonderful post! I have not been to Flying down Hollywoods blog yet, but I will now.

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  12. I've only seen Roman Holiday and Breakfast at Tifanny's, so I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of her movies such as My Fair Lady:)

    xx

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  13. What a great idea for a guest post! Such a fan - and I really need to watch more!

    http://dreamingspiresandoldcartyres.blogspot.com

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  14. My Fair Lady was actually the first movie I ever saw that had Audrey in it, and I feel like it really shows a unique side to her that we don't see in her other films. She played her role beautifully, and it's a shame that this wonderful performance is forgotten and ignored. It's a wonderful film, and I love the songs.

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  15. I adore Audrey and loved reading Sally's post on the icon. Wonderful guest post dear Emma! Hope you're having a great week. ♥

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  16. LOVE her! Working on a painting of her with those balloons!

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  17. She is absolutely fantastic! I'm her fan. Funny Face is my favorite =)

    xoxo,
    Marina G.

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  18. i love Roman Holiday and Breakfast at Tiffany's! both are such great movies! I can't wait to check out Sally's blog!

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  19. Audrey is a wonderful starlet to admire. I love all of her movies and her fashion *gasp* is amazing. Great post!

    http://inbugsdrawers.blogspot.com

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  20. My most favorite lady ever ! Your words live up to the eternal star. Thank you !
    xoxo
    lisa

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  21. I am giving you an award! Please see my blog!

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  22. Lovely guest post, Emma!! I have yet to see Roman Holiday [!!] but I do adore Audrey! XO.

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  23. My Fair Lady is one of my absolute favourites. I loved reading all about the gorgeous Audrey!

    xo
    Rachel

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  24. Hi Emma,
    I am a new comer, but enjoying you blog all ready. I have given you an award. You can collect it from my site.
    Love the guest blog - love Audrey Hepburn

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  25. I love Audrey! She is one of my style idols/icons/muses. I am completely enthralled by her, her poise and her style! Thank you for writing about her :)

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  26. Such a fun guest post, Emma and Sally! I'll be sure to visit Sally's blog soon. I didn't realize My Fair Lady was considered a forgotten Audrey classic. It's been a while since I've watched it, but this post and Emma's rendition of "Wouldn't it be Loverly" have me itching to see it again :)

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  27. i love her! i think that she played a charming Eliza. Great post, Emma and Sally!

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  28. Oh! How I love Audrey Hepburn! She is definitely one of my favorite icon! Great post!

    -Coco from Our Paper Moon

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  29. Very good post! I've watched My Fair Lady a lot over the years - who can forget the Cecil Beaton black and white gowns at the races?? Stunning stuff! Audrey is very pretty in this movie of course - it's an interesting story. Rex Harrison is pretty amazing also!

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  30. Of course, you know my love for Audrey is enormous, so thank you for the wonderful post Emma! Viva Audrey!!

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  31. In an alternate universe, I would love to be Audrey Hepburn. Great post.

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