Average Rating: 
Rating:  - An Excellent Adaption of One of Broadway's Best
One of the classics of the American musical theater, "My Fair Lady" is brought to us with amazing grace and sensitivity by legendary dirctor George Cukor. This musical has it all: a classic score by Lerner and Loewe (including "I Could have Danced All Night," "The Rain in Spain," and "Get me to the Church on Time"), an interesting story, and great characters. Rex Harrison proves to be nothing less then supurb as Henry Higgens, the speach teacher who vows to "never let a woman in my life," but finds himself falling for flower girl Eliza Dolittle. The supporting cast is in top form, with special mention going to the hysterical Stanley Halloway as Alfred P. Dolittle, the charming Wilfred Hyde-White as Pickering, and Jeremy Brett as Freddie. My on real complaint is Audrey Hepburn, who plays Eliza. While she is far from bad, Miss Hepburn has no voice, and I can't stand it when they use another actress to dub the voice of a star. Why can't they just hire a singer in the first place? The part should have gone to Julie Andrews (who originated it on Broadway). All in all, agreat film for the whole family. Check it out!
Rating:  - A musical masterpiece
"My Fair Lady" is the legendary director George Cukor's crowning achievement. Every element of this movie works, from its sumptuous photography by veteran cameraman Harry Stradling, to the glorious costumes and sets created by Cecil Beaton. The music is incomparable. Frederick Loewe's melodies are lovely and infectious and Alan Jay Lerner's lyrics are every bit as witty and touching as the dialogue originally written by playwright George Bernard Shaw for "Pygmalion". "My Fair Lady" is the musical version of "Pygmalion".The transformation of the illiterate, unwashed Eliza Doolittle into the breathtaking "Fair Lady" of the film's title is inspiring to see. This is one of Audrey Hepburn's best roles, and she is perfection as Eliza Doolittle. She is thoroughly convincing as the Cockney flower girl who transcends her humble roots to end up dancing with a prince at an embassy ball. Hepburn expertly translates Eliza's tenacity, vulnerbility, intelligence, and grace into a beautiful and timeless performance. Yes, it's true that Julie Andrews (who created the original Eliza on Broadway) was bypassed for this role. However, this was purely a business decision made by studio head Jack Warner. He did not want to risk such a lavish, expensive production on a relative newcomer such as Andrews was at the time. So he went with the safe bet, Hepburn, as Eliza Doolittle. Audrey was an established star with a great track record. But Andrews soon recovered from this disappointment to make two blockbusters of her own, "Mary Poppins" and "Sound of Music". Not a bad trade-off I'd say. Anyway, I enthusiastically recommend that you buy "My Fair Lady" on DVD or VHS. It is one of the best musicals ever written for stage or screen. You'll see what I mean.
Rating: - Everyone's Fair Lady rules
The true standout in this film is the plot itself --- working girl wishes to better her flower-selling career by improving her diction, and the speech teacher wishes to prove something about society by using her in a bet. The girl works hard and, in the process, falls in love with the teacher, who barely thinks of her in return.Hepburn shines as Eliza, even with the singing of Marni Nixon as her singing voice (who also sang for Natalie Wood in West Side Story.) But Rex Harrison is the true star in his piggish, ambitious, gruff Henry Higgins. He seems to truly believe his words as he sings the reasons of why "I shall Never let a woman in my life". Stanley Holloway as Eliza's drunken father in "Get Me to the Church on Time" is also a winner. Looking at the men in her life, it's no wonder Eliza wants to improve herself rather than look for a man to help her out! (Julie Andrews created the role on Broadway and then beat out Hepburn for Best Actress with "Mary Poppins", so all's well that ends well! I can't imagine either movie being made with another actress in that role.)
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