Pygmalion (1938) - Essential Art House

Marvelous performance by Leslie Howard and Wendy Hiller. Fun to see the original text of the play and then compare it to the learner and low musical and see how they fit in the songs and the lyrics. Definitely recommend viewing to anyone who loves ‘my fair lady.’

A pretty wonderful film of the great George Bernard Shaw play.Both Leslie Howard and Wendy Hiller are terrific in the leads, and thisproduction brings out both the fun and wit of Shaw's words, withoutlosing the sharp, complex, and sometimes paradoxical political andsocial observations underneath the playful extrtior.Dated in style, yes, and it could be argued Hiller comes off a bit older thanideal for the character's innocence. And some of the supporting performancesare too stagy (although some are very good indeed).But overall this is a lot of fun, and quite thought provoking, with anicely ambiguous ending.Note, this "Essential Art House' version is the same excellent transferas the Criterion (which owns both labels) the only difference is costand extras.

Charles Laughton was Shaw's first choice for this film, gratefully; he was talked out of it. Leslie Howard delivers one of his great performances as Higgins. He captures the snide sarcasm, without hitting it with a hammer. Howard was famous for underplaying and even taught this to his friend, Humphrey Bogart. Bogart's second child is named in his honor.The problem with Harrison is that he is far too old for the part and even older for the film. It is hard to suggest a romance under those conditions. Howard is in his early 40s and looks a bit younger. Shaw did not consider this a love story but it clearly becomes that, more than the social satire that was intended.Harrison also declaims the role, as if he was a bit hard of hearing. One can understand this approach on stage but it gets tiresome on film, where subtlety is appreciated. Howard explores the nuances of the role without over-blowing the emotion. He mines it for every comic twist. His timing is infallible and Hiller is the perfect foil for his tyranny.Watch his eyes, he has some of the most expressive peepers in the business and knew how to use them for the camera. (Ronald Colman was also famous for his ability to act through his eyes.) Howard was nearsighted and loved playing roles that allowed him to wear his glasses. There are several such parts in his catalogue. Suggest you check out `The Stand In," with Bogart. Of course the "Scarlet Pimpernel," is a must. "Pimpernel Smith," a wonderful remake of his original film.Many films can be found on Amazon and other sites and are worth having. "Pygmalion," is beautifully restored and there is a wonderful new Shaw box with Wendy Hiller in "Major Barbara," featuring a younger and better suited Rex Harrison. "Caesar and Cleopatra," with Vivien Leigh and Claude Rains. There are many more great films out there and his real genius, is tragically unappreciated in GWTW. It was his least favorite role, and the one for which he is best remembered. A shame....."Pygmalion," only suggests the realization of a romance at the very end and that was as intended. We are confident that they get together but Shaw leaves us wondering how and when.For those who only know Leslie Howard from GWTW, this film is a revelation. He hated "Wind..." and only did it as a favor in return for staring in and producing Ingrid Bergman's first American film, "Intermezzo."Howard returned to England where he directed and starred in several fine films during the war. He also did a great deal of documentary work for the war effort. He was killed in 1943 while on a trip to Portugal, when his plane was shot down by the Germans. The exact nature of that trip is still in question. He was just 50. It is not generally known that Howard was Jewish, of Hungarian extraction. He married out of the faith and was not very concerned about religion but his hatred of the Nazis is obvious from his work. Had he lived, he might have developed into a fine actor/director, such as Wells or Eastwood or Chaplin. Even so, the work that he leaves is a testament to his great talent.A lesser known fact is, that despite a wife and two kids, he was one of the most insatiable ladies' men in Hollywood. Joan Blondel said that he could sit between two women and flirt with both and make them believe it. Bette Davis remembered that she held him at arm's length for three films. One of his children wrote that he could never avoid the female temptations of Hollywood but always came home to his family. Ironic, for a man who cultivated the exact opposite image. He was also an amazing polo player and loved horses. Surprising, that he did not play more roles that took advantage of his skills as a horseman. Actor, Director, Stud, Athlete, inside the shell of a shy, romantic, poetic, scholar.

This a perfect film - perfect script, both leads are perfect, direction is perfect, I can go on and on... I loved the ending, of course, she should stay with Higgins. Eliza is the intelligent girl, remember, and what woman in her right mind would choose a dull and helpless Freddie (mediocrity itself) over a genius and success, as charming as Leslie Howard?! She is smart and brave, she won't be frightened by his manners, she'll learn how to deal with him. Has anybody noticed that at Higgins' mother reception, professor is the only one really interested in what Eliza is telling, not how she is telling it? They are true equals, and there is a great chemistry between them.The quality of the DVD leaves a lot to wish for - some scenes haven't been digitally redone, no extras, no subtitles.

Very well done. Leslie Howard is fantastic as Professor Higgins and Wendy Hiller is also wonderful as Eliza Doolittle. In comparison to My Fair Lady, which is more flashy and glamorous thanks to the song/dance numbers and other elements such as costuming and jewelry, Pygmalion is more subtle and feels far more realistic. Differences such as seeing the inside of Eliza's lodgings, noticing how Alfred Doolittle is seriously nervous about his wedding (as opposed to Stanley Holloway, who drinks and sings and mourns his way to the altar), and watching Higgins fall apart after Eliza implies she's leaving for good (especially obvious in the occasional violence of his gestures), make the cast and the story more gritty and relateable. In Pygmalion, Higgins really is an arrogant, conceited blowhard, but is brilliant and has a heart, even if he doesn't care to admit it. Eliza really is a poor girl who's reputation as a flower girl and not a prostitute is the only thing that keeps a roof over her head, but is willing to better herself and has more strength and independence than she believes. Comedic touches such as that from the rapport between Higgins and Mrs. Pearce ("Then you'd better find her, damn it!" is one of my favorite lines), and the dry wit of Higgins' mother (Marie Lohr, also a lovely actress), make it a delightful movie and a wonderful story.

I teach an intro to theatre class at Indiana University South Bend, and my students read the play -- it's good to let them see this (non-musical) version of the play, which was adapted by Shaw himself for the screen and maintains most of the original play's dialogue and intent. My students see this and can then make comparisons to the Lerner & Leowe Musical version. The play is a comedy but has much to say (quite charmingly) about classism and sexism. Wendy Hiller is a less romantic Eliza than Audrey Hepburn was later, but her performance is phenomenal, as is Leslie Howard's.

How lovely to see this beautiful crisp clear print of the classic film. Wendy Hiller is young, beautiful and full of quiet dignity as Eliza; Leslie Howard, for once allowed to play his own age and intelligence is terrific as Professor Higgins. The supporting cast is wonderful and the sets and costumes are a treat for the eyes. Shaw's witty dialogue stands up to the test of years while his humanism and kindliness have become more obvious as time has passed.

I liked this picture, much better than My Fair Lady. It was not only its predecessor, but it is enhanced with more character in the story telling. More human, and amusingly played out.

This is an excellent film, well acted, great to pair up with My Fair Lady

I love this movie. Leslie Howard is very funny. recommended for those who love old movies.

fantastic