Eliza Doolittle Day: Origins | Pygmalion | Inspired By | Movie Trivia
May 20 marks the unofficial Eliza Doolittle Day. This unofficial holiday marks the pivotal moment when Eliza Doolittle, a Cockney flower girl, meets Professor Henry Higgins and begins her transformative journey in the original stage production. In the iconic song “Just You Wait,” one of the songs from “My Fair Lady,” the lyrics include the line, “Next week on the 20th of May, I proclaim Liza Doolittle Day.” Thus making it the perfect day for fans of the musical and movie to celebrate.
The Origins of Eliza Doolittle Day
Eliza Doolittle Day commemorates the first Broadway performance of “My Fair Lady” on this date in 1956. The musical, based on George Bernard Shaw’s play “Pygmalion,” was an immediate hit and became the longest-running musical of its time. “My Fair Lady” tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a lowly flower girl taken under the wing of phonetics professor Henry Higgins, who teaches her how to speak and act like a lady. The show won six Tony Awards in 1956, including Best Musical and Best Leading Actor for Rex Harrison’s portrayal of Higgins and Julie Andrews’ unforgettable performance as Eliza.
Despite Julie Andrews’ iconic portrayal of Eliza Doolittle on Broadway, the studio decided to cast Audrey Hepburn due to her higher star power at the time, in the 1964 film adaptation of “My Fair Lady” directed by George Cukor. While Andrews was praised for her performance, she was relatively unknown in Hollywood. Conversely, Hepburn was a well-established star with significant box office appeal from her roles in classic films such as “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” “Roman Holiday,” and “Sabrina.” The studio believed that casting Hepburn would attract a larger audience, ensuring the film’s commercial success. Although Hepburn couldn’t sing and was dubbed by Marni Nixon, her acting prowess and widespread popularity made her the studio’s choice to bring Eliza Doolittle to the silver screen.
The Inspiration Behind “Pygmalion”
Shaw’s “Pygmalion” was inspired by the ancient Greek myth of Pygmalion and Galatea. In this myth, Pygmalion, a sculptor, creates a statue of a woman so beautiful that he falls in love with it. His desire for the statue is so strong that Aphrodite, the goddess of love, brings the statue to life. Shaw adapted this theme of transformation, focusing on the power of education and language to transform lives.
Movies Inspired by “Pygmalion”
Apart from “My Fair Lady,” several other movies have drawn inspiration from the themes and storyline of Shaw’s “Pygmalion”:
“The Nutty Professor” (1963)
Directed by and starring Jerry Lewis. This comedic adaptation involves a nerdy professor transforming himself into a handsome but obnoxious playboy, exploring themes of identity and transformation.
“Educating Rita” (1983)
Directed by Lewis Gilbert and starring Michael Caine and Julie Walters. The film adaptation of Willy Russell’s play follows the story of a young woman’s quest for education and self-improvement.
“Trading Places” (1983)
Directed by John Landis and starring Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd. This comedy explores themes of transformation and social class, akin to “Pygmalion,” by having a street hustler and a commodities broker switch places as part of a bet.
“Mannequin” (1987)
Directed by Michael Gottlieb and starring Andrew McCarthy and Kim Cattrall. This romantic comedy involves a department store mannequin coming to life, mirroring the theme of bringing a lifeless figure into the realm of the living.
“Pretty Woman” (1990)
Directed by Garry Marshall and starring Richard Gere and Julia Roberts. The film tells the story of a wealthy businessman who transforms a down-on-her-luck prostitute into a sophisticated woman.
Directed by Robert Iscove and starring Freddie Prinze Jr. and Rachael Leigh Cook. This teen romantic comedy is a modern retelling of “Pygmalion,” where a popular high school boy transforms a shy, unpopular girl into the prom queen.
“Miss Congeniality” (2000)
Directed by Donald Petrie and starring Sandra Bullock. The film features an FBI agent who undergoes a dramatic makeover to go undercover as a beauty pageant contestant.
“The Princess Diaries” (2001)
Directed by Garry Marshall and starring Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews. This film tells the story of an awkward teenager who learns she is the heir to a European throne and undergoes a transformation to become a princess, guided by her grandmother.
“Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen” (2004)
Directed by Sara Sugarman and starring Lindsay Lohan. The movie involves a dramatic transformation of a small-town girl aiming for the spotlight, reflecting elements of personal reinvention.
Directed by Fred Wolf and starring Anna Faris, Colin Hanks, and Emma Stone. Shelley Darlingson, a former Playboy bunny, becomes the house mother for a struggling sorority. Drawing on “Pygmalion” themes, she helps the sorority members transform and improve their social status while undergoing her own personal growth.
Directed by Ari Sandel and starring Mae Whitman, Robbie Amell, and Bella Thorne. High school senior Bianca Piper learns she’s been labeled the “Designated Ugly Fat Friend” by her prettier, more popular peers. With the help of her charming neighbor, she undergoes a transformation that parallels “Pygmalion,” challenging social hierarchies and redefining herself.
These films, while not direct adaptations of “Pygmalion,” explore similar themes of transformation, identity, and societal expectations, making them modern reflections of Shaw’s classic play.
“My Fair Lady” Movie Trivia
- Tony Awards Sweep: “My Fair Lady” won six Tony Awards in 1956. Which categories did it win? The show won Best Musical, Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical (Rex Harrison), Best Direction (Moss Hart), Best Scenic Design, Best Costume Design, and Best Conductor and Musical Director.
- Oscar Glory: How many Academy Awards did the 1964 film adaptation of “My Fair Lady” win? The film won eight Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Rex Harrison), Best Director (George Cukor), Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Sound, and Best Music, Scoring of Music, Adaptation or Treatment.
- Costume Count: How many costume changes did Audrey Hepburn have in “My Fair Lady”?
Audrey Hepburn had a total of seven major costume changes throughout the film. - Iconic Hat: Who designed the iconic costumes, including the giant Ascot hat, for “My Fair Lady”? The legendary Cecil Beaton designed the costumes for the film, earning an Oscar for his work.
- Set Design: How many different sets were used in the film? The film featured over 100 different sets, making it one of the most elaborate productions of its time.
- Film Locations: Although set in London, many of the film’s iconic scenes were shot on meticulously crafted sets in California, showcasing the grandeur of Hollywood production capabilities.
- Soundtrack Success: How did the film’s soundtrack perform commercially? The soundtrack was a commercial success, topping the Billboard 200 chart and becoming one of the best-selling albums of the 1960s.
- Record-Breaking Run: How long did the original Broadway production of “My Fair Lady” run? The original Broadway production ran for 2,717 performances, making it the longest-running musical at that time.
- On-Screen Chemistry: Despite their on-screen chemistry, Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn had a challenging working relationship. Harrison was known to be demanding and difficult, but Hepburn’s professionalism kept the production smooth.
- Rex Harrison’s Temperament: Rex Harrison was known for his difficult temperament on set, earning the nickname “Sexy Rexy.” Despite this, his performance as Higgins was critically acclaimed.
By celebrating Eliza Doolittle Day, you can enjoy the rich history of this classic character and the timeless story of transformation and empowerment. Whether you’re a fan of musicals, books, or movies, there’s something for everyone to enjoy on this special day!