She's gonna wash that Higgins right out of her hair

[litlover12]

I'm reading a really interesting new book about the creation of My Fair Lady. The author states that Alan Jay Lerner's first choice for Eliza was . . . Mary Martin.

The mind reels.

Comments

[impulsereader.livejournal.com]

It does indeed! It would have been such a different vibe. I remember seeing a clip in a documentary in which Julie Andrews talks a bit about the disappointment of losing the movie role to Audrey. Hollywood has always caused boggling on this score; either it was powerful men with favorite actresses who (while possibly quite talented) must then be put into everything, or the exact opposite of talented actresses ending up type cast and very likely bored out of their skulls. The studio system had both good and bad aspects.

[goldvermilion87.livejournal.com]

You know... I could almost see it. Just the classy part wouldn't work as well.

[mary-j-59.livejournal.com]

Actually, I can see this. Did you ever see "Pygmalion", the straight-on film of the G.B.Shaw play the musical was based on? It starred Wendy Hiller, a rather tall, strapping girl and a fine actress. Don't know how good Mary Martin was as an actress, but I think her look and her singing voice might have fit well.

[litlover12.livejournal.com]

I guess some aspects of the role would have fit her. But I can't quite see her doing, say, the big argument with Higgins at his mother's house (one of my favorite scenes). Or bowling over everyone at the Embassy Ball.