# I just watched My Fair Lady for the first time and I didn't like it. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 7, 2014, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-my-fair-lady-for-the-first-time-and-i-didnt-like-it/683149 "2014-03-07T21:21:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2014, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-my-fair-lady-for-the-first-time-and-i-didnt-like-it/683149/21 "2014-03-08T03:23:32Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > It’s rather stalker-ish, don’t you think? Oh BOO, HISS! Nobody with a heart or soul could even think such a thing! I practically grew up on the original cast recording of _My Fair Lady._ This was in 1956, and it was the first stereo lp that my father bought. And he virtually wore it out, so I had all the songs memorized, and _On the Street Where You Live_ was one of my favorites from the beginning. It’s a joyous and exuberant declaration of love, period. I don’t think the movie is too long, considering how many great songs are involved. But you may have to go back to the original cast album with Julie Andrews, who should have reprised her role in the movie. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2014, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-my-fair-lady-for-the-first-time-and-i-didnt-like-it/683149/22 "2014-03-08T03:31:32Z")
Audrey Hepburn is the weakest link. ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2014, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-my-fair-lady-for-the-first-time-and-i-didnt-like-it/683149/23 "2014-03-08T03:33:17Z")
I always preferred Audrey Gluppergloss. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2014, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-my-fair-lady-for-the-first-time-and-i-didnt-like-it/683149/24 "2014-03-08T03:37:31Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > I’ve never seen it… What happens in that scene? It’s a hysterical spoof of the oh-so-correct British upper crust, their speech, mannerisms and dress (by today’s standards, those hats are way too conventional). If you want to see an entire musical with that type of “dance,” watch _Hello, Dolly._ But don’t say I didn’t warn you. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2014, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-my-fair-lady-for-the-first-time-and-i-didnt-like-it/683149/25 "2014-03-08T03:44:14Z")
> [@Evil\_Captor](#): > > It’s not a lesson that has much application in 21st America where class distinctions are not nearly so rigid and no so much based on language. Americans are in such deep denial about the profoundly class-ridden nature of their society that it has gone beyond funny into tragedy. ---
**Author:** ![the\_diego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2014, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-my-fair-lady-for-the-first-time-and-i-didnt-like-it/683149/26 "2014-03-08T04:02:12Z")
Come on. Don’t tell me you didn’t appreciate at least ONE line in the movie. "The majesty and grandeur of the English language… It’s the greatest possession we have. The noblest thoughts that ever flowed through the hearts of men are contained in its extraordinary, imaginative and musical mixtures of sounds. And that’s what you’ve set yourself out to conquer, Eliza. And conquer it you will. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2014, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-my-fair-lady-for-the-first-time-and-i-didnt-like-it/683149/27 "2014-03-08T04:03:57Z")
Shaw’s intention was to satirize the British class system, which he did extremely well. _ **Pygmalion** _ was set in Edwardian (not Victorian) England, though in the 1938 film Higgins uses oscilloscopes and other more advanced equipment. I don’t care in what country or period you’re living: if you put a private into a general’s uniform, he’ll still walk around scratching his ass. Even if he doesn’t, people will still have him pegged the moment he opens his mouth. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2014, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-my-fair-lady-for-the-first-time-and-i-didnt-like-it/683149/28 "2014-03-08T04:10:54Z")
> [@the\_diego](#): > > Come on. Don’t tell me you didn’t appreciate at least ONE line in the movie. > > "The majesty and grandeur > of the English language… > It’s the greatest possession we have. > > The noblest thoughts that ever flowed > through the hearts of men > are contained in its extraordinary, > imaginative and musical mixtures of sounds. > > And that’s what you’ve set yourself > out to conquer, Eliza. > And conquer it you will. You left out my favorite: \*“Remember that you are a human being with a soul and the divine gift of articulate speech, that your native language is the language of Shakespeare and Milton and The Bible. Don’t sit there crooning like a bilious pigeon!” \* ---
**Author:** ![Octarine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/22d042/32.png) [@Octarine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octarine)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2014, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-my-fair-lady-for-the-first-time-and-i-didnt-like-it/683149/29 "2014-03-08T04:15:22Z")
My Fair Lady might be my favorite musical, period. Sure, the pacing has some issues, and there are a few plot holes - the biggest being what happens to Freddy - but the _music_. “Why Can’t the English,” “Just You Wait,” “On the Street Where You Live,” “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly,” “I Could Have Danced All Night,” “A Hymn to Him,” “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face,” the list goes on and on and on. I have to say, the movie version isn’t the best to start out with, as it looks a bit staged and the acting isn’t top notch, but as a musical? It’s fantastic. The only thing that beats the clever, complex lyrics are the intricate, beautiful melodies. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2014, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-my-fair-lady-for-the-first-time-and-i-didnt-like-it/683149/30 "2014-03-08T04:16:20Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > I’ve never seen it… What happens in that scene? This is what replaced Mrs Higgins’ “at-home” day: Enjoy! :D ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2014, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-my-fair-lady-for-the-first-time-and-i-didnt-like-it/683149/31 "2014-03-08T04:26:17Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > You can see the same story, without the music, and very beautifully acted, if you watch the movie Pygmalion from 1938 with Leslie Howard as a much better Henry Higgins, and Wendy Hiller magnificent as Eliza Doolittle. It shows from time to time on TCM, or perhaps it is also available on Netflix. It’s definitely on YouTube: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmdPj\_XbF30](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmdPj_XbF30)🙂 ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2014, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-my-fair-lady-for-the-first-time-and-i-didnt-like-it/683149/32 "2014-03-08T04:26:42Z")
As a 10-year-old kid in a hick town, I knew the song _On the Street Where You Live_ without ever seeing the Broadway show or the movie. It must have been sung over and over on music/variety TV shows like Hit Parade and Ed Sullivan. It was many years before I knew the song was from Broadway. Heck, it was years before I realized that most of the songs I grew up with were from Broadway. I miss variety TV. If not for the Tonys, I wouldn’t hear any of the music. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2014, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-my-fair-lady-for-the-first-time-and-i-didnt-like-it/683149/33 "2014-03-08T04:29:20Z")
And being a linguist by trade, this is my favorite number from the musical: [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jhninL_G3Fg/hqdefault.jpg "My Fair Lady "Why Can't the English Learn to Speak"") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhninL_G3Fg) ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Woodhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@Miss\_Woodhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Woodhouse)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2014, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-my-fair-lady-for-the-first-time-and-i-didnt-like-it/683149/34 "2014-03-08T05:15:54Z")
My Fair Lady has been one of my favorite movies since I was 12. Of course, I always fast forward “Get Me To the Church” after the first run through the lyrics. It just repeats the same four lines for 10 minutes while they all dance around the neighborhood, so fast forwarding at this point doesn’t lose you anything. “Loverly” and “I could have danced all night” are my favorites. I don’t mind the lyric repeat of the latter, strangely enough, since the same lyric composition drives me crazy in Mr. Doolittle’s big number. ---
**Author:** ![the\_diego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2014, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-my-fair-lady-for-the-first-time-and-i-didnt-like-it/683149/35 "2014-03-08T05:21:56Z")
My wife likes to imitate the “umbrella walk” at Ascot, while I try to sing without moving my upper lip: “Every Duke and Earl and Peer is here. Everyone who should be here is here. What a smashing-positively dashing spectacle the Ascot owp-ning day.” ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2014, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-my-fair-lady-for-the-first-time-and-i-didnt-like-it/683149/36 "2014-03-08T06:36:30Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > Oh BOO, HISS! Nobody with a heart or soul could even think such a thing! > > I practically grew up on the original cast recording of _My Fair Lady._ This was in 1956, and it was the first stereo lp that my father bought. And he virtually wore it out, so I had all the songs memorized, and _On the Street Where You Live_ was one of my favorites from the beginning. It’s a joyous and exuberant declaration of love, period. I don’t think the movie is too long, considering how many great songs are involved. But you may have to go back to the original cast album with Julie Andrews, who should have reprised her role in the movie. \*And oh the towering feeling Just to know somehow you are near The overpowering feeling That any second you may suddenly appear People stop and stare, they don’t bother me For there’s nowhere else on earth that I would rather be Let the time go by, I won’t care If I can be here on the street where you live\* Stalker! I mean, it’s a good tune and all, but dude has issues. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2014, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-my-fair-lady-for-the-first-time-and-i-didnt-like-it/683149/37 "2014-03-08T06:47:49Z")
I fell in love with my parents extremely worn out original cast recording (one of the best selling albums ever up to that time- it was backordered) and saw two stage productions all before I saw the movie. I preferred the original recording and both stage productions, one of which was a college production, to the movie. The pacing is glacial, so it is too over choreographed, too over stylized, and generally too elaborately staged to be enjoyable. I know that Audrey Hepburn is an icon and was wonderful in many movies, but she is not Eliza and not just because she’s not Julie Andrews, though that’s reason enough. More later when I’m not on mobile. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2014, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-my-fair-lady-for-the-first-time-and-i-didnt-like-it/683149/38 "2014-03-08T06:47:56Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > \*And oh the towering feeling > Just to know somehow you are near > The overpowering feeling > That any second you may suddenly appear > > People stop and stare, they don’t bother me > For there’s nowhere else on earth that I would rather be > Let the time go by, I won’t care > If I can be here on the street where you live\* > Stalker! I mean, it’s a good tune and all, but dude has issues. Of course he does. He’s in love! :o ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2014, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-my-fair-lady-for-the-first-time-and-i-didnt-like-it/683149/39 "2014-03-08T06:50:37Z")
> [@the\_diego](#): > > My wife likes to imitate the “umbrella walk” at Ascot, while I try to sing without moving my upper lip: > > “Every Duke and Earl and Peer is here. > Everyone who should be here is here. > What a smashing-positively dashing > spectacle the Ascot owp-ning day.” Check out that redhead at 2:30 on the YouTube clip. **PHWARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRH!** :o ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2014, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-my-fair-lady-for-the-first-time-and-i-didnt-like-it/683149/40 "2014-03-08T06:58:28Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > This is what replaced Mrs Higgins’ “at-home” day: > > Enjoy! :D Yikes! Thanks, I think. Where did they get that bunch of tailors’ dummies? What a surreal presentation of Ascot day! Nightmarish. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-my-fair-lady-for-the-first-time-and-i-didnt-like-it/683149.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-just-watched-my-fair-lady-for-the-first-time-and-i-didnt-like-it/683149.md?page=3)