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

[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.