CELEBRATING ‘MY FAIR LADY’: ADAPTATIONS OF THE CLASSIC STORY + A QUIZ!

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It’s always entertaining to go back and revisit a film that I watched (probably ad nauseam) as a kid. My Fair Lady is one of them. Much like going through a Marvel phase or a John Wayne cowboy movie phase, I also went through a musical phase. Probably some of this is owing to the fact that the adults in my life didn’t just let me watch anything, and so when I’d have a sleepover, we’d go into the video store and rent things like Singin’ in the Rain and My Fair Lady. On this day we celebrate its sixty years of existence by sharing our usual celebratory post. This time it’s a My Fair Lady movies and quiz combination.

LIST | CHARACTERS WHO MAKE POLITICS SEEM (DARE WE SAY THIS) FUN

the difference between a lady and a flower girl is not how she behaves,
but how she is treated. 

– My Fair Lady

From modern incarnations to versions with beautifully stunning costumes there’s a handful of entertaining movies with this premise. The popular and award-winning film features Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn in a match up about a professor and a flower girl who unexpectedly meet. Harrison’s Professor Henry Higgins decides to take on this “gutter snipe” woman and transform her into a lady. Together, they work to teach her manners and decorum that only the best of society will invite, and thus begins Eliza Doolittle’s entrance into polite society.

The film, which released in 1964 (the 21^st of October was its New York debut) is nostalgic and just so lovely. As it approaches its sixtieth anniversary, we’re have to celebrate with these My Fair Lady movies and quiz!

CELEBRATING ‘MY FAIR LADY’: ADAPTATIONS OF THE CLASSIC STORY + A QUIZ! Lookin back at #MyFairLady, some of the movies inspired by it and a #quiz too! #MovieQuiz #AudreyHepburn Share on X

Originally a play penned by George Bernard Shaw, the story may not be one everyone loves, but mostly I think it’s a charming story that is a classic for a reason. Let’s meet some of the films – from newer versions to the classics we love, there is some good films see. 

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ADAPTATIONS of MY FAIR LADY 

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THE DUFF

I don’t know that this is inspired in any way by My Fair Lady aka Pygmalion, but this story does have throwbacks to the classic about a high schooler who is ridiculed for how she looks. The “makeover” aspect doesn’t really play up in this and is instead more a story about the girl remaining who she is and instead forming a backbone.

Stream on Hulu or Roku at publication

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FIXING PETE

A Hallmark Channel rom-com, this one features Brooke Burns in a role where she takes on the task of sophisticating a messy sports reporter. The film, as I remember, is cute.  

Stream on UPtv at publication

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HE’S ALL THAT and SHE’S ALL THAT

These two films, made decades apart, tend to fall into the trappings of My Fair Lady. She’s all That is the popular 1999 comedy with Rachel Leigh Cook about an awkward teen girl who becomes the unknowing bet of a cool high school guy who claims he can transform her into prom queen material. Then, Netflix re-adapted the film in He’s All That. Both are cute unless you’re offended by that plot, however lost in the shuffle complaints of these types of stories is that they do teach the characters something so that’s what we should look at. Without flaws and mistakes and misjudgments, there cannot be a good story arc.

Stream He’s All That on Netflix; stream She’s All That on Paramount+ at publication

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HOW to FALL in LOVE

Another Hallmark title, this one features an awkward Eric Mabius as a man who lack confidence and poise, which inspires him to hire Brooke D’Orsay to help coach him in the ways of dating.

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THE MAKEOVER

A Hallmark Hall of Fame film, this one plays with the fable story threads in very obvious ways. From the names (Hannah Higgins and Elliot Doolittle) to the characterizations, the story is probably one of the closest modern “nods” to the classic I’ve seen.

Stream on Plex, Pluto or Hallmark+ at publication

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PRETTY WOMAN

Commonly referenced as a retelling of the classic story, this one features Julia Roberts in, undoubtedly, her star turning role as a prostitute whose life is forever changed by a wealthy businessman who hires her… and then unexpectedly falls in love with her. Though culturally many take issue with Pretty Woman, I am surprised by it each time I go in for an occasional rewatch. There is some depth to the story even though it’s driven by the rom-com tag, and like any movie, yes it has dilemmas or character mistakes which any good observer of storytelling knows is necessary to make a story good. This is also the first pair up between Roberts and Richard Gere.

Stream on Max or Tubi at publication

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PYGMALION (1938) 

This is actually the film that would later inspire the 1960s film My Fair Lady. So perhaps this list should really title itself as a Pygmalion adaptations list. This said, I think My Fair Lady is more universally known. Leslie Howard stars in this film as the indomitable Professor Higgins. It’s one of those movies I haven’t seen but I have seen complimentary reviews. 

Stream on Max or Roku at publication

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MY FAIR LADY QUIZ

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Have you seen any of these? Which are your thoughts on our My Fair Lady movies and quiz? Do you re-watch any of these of My Fair Lady aka Pygmalion titles time and again? Do you love this story? Comment all of your thoughts in the comments section. Let’s talk. 

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