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Brina's Reviews > Pygmalion
Pygmalion
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Reposting in honor of George Bernard Shaw's birthday, July 26.
I am writing this review to honor my grandmother who recently passed away. I lost track of the number of times we listened to the soundtrack of My Fair Lady either in her car, her apartment, or my house growing up. To me Eliza Doolittle, Henry Higgins, and Colonel Pickering are as much the actors who played them as they are are the memories I created with my grandmother and great aunt while watching the movie or listening to its timeless songs.
By the time I finally read Pygmalion in script form in eighth grade English class and then subsequently watched the movie in class, I had the entire script memorized. My entire class asked me for assistance in all the assignments associated with this unit, and of course, I demurred. Ask me today, I still have most of the songs memorized, which of course came from Shaw's brilliant script.
My daughters' favorite classic film is My Fair Lady because of the gorgeous costumes they see at Ascot race track and the Royal ball. But what makes this Cinderella story timeless is not the costumes but the prose down to the last line, "Eliza, where the devil are my slippers." For those who have not read this tale or seen the film, take the time to do so. You too could be captivated by Eliza the flower girl turned language pupil and create generations of memories.
I am writing this review to honor my grandmother who recently passed away. I lost track of the number of times we listened to the soundtrack of My Fair Lady either in her car, her apartment, or my house growing up. To me Eliza Doolittle, Henry Higgins, and Colonel Pickering are as much the actors who played them as they are are the memories I created with my grandmother and great aunt while watching the movie or listening to its timeless songs.
By the time I finally read Pygmalion in script form in eighth grade English class and then subsequently watched the movie in class, I had the entire script memorized. My entire class asked me for assistance in all the assignments associated with this unit, and of course, I demurred. Ask me today, I still have most of the songs memorized, which of course came from Shaw's brilliant script.
My daughters' favorite classic film is My Fair Lady because of the gorgeous costumes they see at Ascot race track and the Royal ball. But what makes this Cinderella story timeless is not the costumes but the prose down to the last line, "Eliza, where the devil are my slippers." For those who have not read this tale or seen the film, take the time to do so. You too could be captivated by Eliza the flower girl turned language pupil and create generations of memories.
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Suzy
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Mar 29, 2016 07:25PM
The power of books to keep us connected. Thanks for sharing your story!
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My pleasure. Figured if I was going to devote the night to bookkeeping I might as well tell a few yarns as well.
Brina that was beautiful. What lovely memories.
Brina , what a lovely review . Thanks for sharing your personal connection with this . I love the music as well .
Thank you Joyce and Angela M. After reading Allende's memoir I found myself more in the mood to write than read tonight. Earlier tonight I found myself quoting Henry Higgins so I thought why not.
Thanks, Maureen. Glad you enjoyed my trip down memory lane.
Thanks Emer. I feel enchanted every time I watch My Fair Lady
Thanks Carol. I appreciate it.
Lovely! I love this book and the old movies so much!!!
Thank you, Choko and Patricia :)
I read Pygmalion back in my college days. Like you, I already knew and loved My Fair Lady so I was all, WHUT when I read GBS's ending where he explains (view spoiler). I also have in my personal library an old paperback copy of the My Fair Lady play, and I love Alan Lerner's comment at the end of it on why he changed the ending: (view spoiler)
Tadiana I think I will always be partial to the musical because I saw it first. Thank you, Miriam and Candace :-)
Absolutely beautiful review, Brina! I loved the memories you shared! When I was in Grade 9, the top 4 kids in our class got to go on a trip to visit our Province's Parliament buildings, and in the evening we went to the theatre to see My Fair Lady. It was magical and marvelous! :)
The movie is one that I associate with my grandmother. The language is why it stayed with me, though. Thanks for a lovely review and reminder!
Wow, Jeanne, grandmothers know best, and Jaline, such lovely memories :-).
I forget this is based on the movie "My Fair Lady" and have never read the book. Well this means another book on my to read list. What beautiful memories for you from this movie and book.
Thank you, Charlotte. I hope that you get to enjoy this too :-)
Great review; it's neat that you have such great memories of your grandmother and the film. I didn't know that this book was the basis for MFL -- cool!
I am sorry for your lost. I also have fond literary memories with my grandma.
Adina-- it was a year and a half ago and she was elderly. She really shaped my tastes in literature and fine arts. Anna-- I really have the urge to watch MFL. Best part is my daughters love it too.
Thank you, Kaylee :-)
Lovely personal review Brina, and a loving tribute to your grandma too :)
Aw Jean, thank you so much :-)
I grew up with this story with my grandmother similarly to you, and I really appreciate personal touches in reviews. I also have a serious love for classic cinema. Love this review.
Great review, Brina. Pygmalion is my favorite-darn near everything in nearly darn near every form. I fell in love with it in high school and never ended a lifelong love affair. The film My Fair Lady? I can write miles of love letters on the first half hour alone. Thanks for the repost review. I need some George Bernard Shaw quality time now.
Praxedes, Christina, Laura. I am definitely going to watch My Fair Lady with the kids before summer is out. I wish they could have watched with my grandmother but at least they enjoy the costumes.
Brina wrote: "Praxedes, Christina, Laura. I am definitely going to watch My Fair Lady with the kids before summer is out. I wish they could have watched with my grandmother but at least they enjoy the costumes."Brina, if you have Netflix I would introduce the kids to the original 1938 version of Pygmalion with Lesley Howard (Gone With the Wind fame). Love My Fair Lady but the 1938 production is very special to me.
I love your review!❤️
