There can be no doubt that LESLIE HOWARD was the perfect actor to play Henry Higgins in Shaw's PYGMALION--although when watching it one can't help hearing Rex Harrison behind some of the lines, so ingrained is the Harrison performance on this particular role.
But Howard shows the flair for comedy that he demonstrated in other films of the '30s, most notably a screwball comedy with Bette Davis and Olivia de Havilland called "It's Love I'm After" in which Howard and Eric Blore stole the film with their riotous performances.
Here he excels as Higgins and with a wonderful Eliza in the form of WENDY HILLER, the two of them make you forget there ever was a musical version--well, almost. Every time they mention "the rain in Spain" or other Shaw phrases that were turned into musical phrases, you can envision the musical behind the play.
SCOTT SUNDERLAND is a delightfully aristocratic Col. Pickering and WILFRID LAWSON is impressive as Alfred Doolittle, each making the role their own in a way that rivals the broader playing of the roles in the musical version directed by George Cukor.
What's nice about this MY FAIR LADY is that it isn't overstuffed to the point where it takes more than two hours to tell the tale. It's performed in a brisk one hour and thirty-six minutes without any dull spots.
WENDY HILLER is remarkable as Eliza, making the transformation from ignorant Cockney flower girl to a glittering lady with the right amount of poise and charm. She isn't as glamorized as Audrey Hepburn for the ball scene, but still manages to convey the elegance that classifies her as a princess to the elite ladies and gentlemen at the ballroom.
If you look closely, you can spot a youthful LEO GENN as the prince who dances with Eliza while the onlookers stare. He hasn't a line of dialog.
Well done, smoothly directed by Anthony Asquith, it's a pleasure to watch.
But Howard shows the flair for comedy that he demonstrated in other films of the '30s, most notably a screwball comedy with Bette Davis and Olivia de Havilland called "It's Love I'm After" in which Howard and Eric Blore stole the film with their riotous performances.
Here he excels as Higgins and with a wonderful Eliza in the form of WENDY HILLER, the two of them make you forget there ever was a musical version--well, almost. Every time they mention "the rain in Spain" or other Shaw phrases that were turned into musical phrases, you can envision the musical behind the play.
SCOTT SUNDERLAND is a delightfully aristocratic Col. Pickering and WILFRID LAWSON is impressive as Alfred Doolittle, each making the role their own in a way that rivals the broader playing of the roles in the musical version directed by George Cukor.
What's nice about this MY FAIR LADY is that it isn't overstuffed to the point where it takes more than two hours to tell the tale. It's performed in a brisk one hour and thirty-six minutes without any dull spots.
WENDY HILLER is remarkable as Eliza, making the transformation from ignorant Cockney flower girl to a glittering lady with the right amount of poise and charm. She isn't as glamorized as Audrey Hepburn for the ball scene, but still manages to convey the elegance that classifies her as a princess to the elite ladies and gentlemen at the ballroom.
If you look closely, you can spot a youthful LEO GENN as the prince who dances with Eliza while the onlookers stare. He hasn't a line of dialog.
Well done, smoothly directed by Anthony Asquith, it's a pleasure to watch.