One of the most frequent questions I am always asked being the host of the greatest movie podcast ever (opinions may vary) is “What’s your favorite movie?” That answer has been the same since I was 11 years old. But it also isn’t as easy to explain why I love some movies more than others.
As an art form, movies are by their nature interpretative. Some people will point to a film’s box office total as a barometer for a film’s quality, this might not be true again because although it might be popular to the masses it might not appeal to you. I am looking at you Avatar, which is not one of my favorite films, not by a longshot.
Also, if the film wins an Academy Award for Best Picture, that hardly means it’s one of my favorite films, looking at you The English Patient, in fact I hardly agree with the Academy. Having said that, I am sure that some people love Avatar and The English Patient. And that’s what makes movies so great.
I, also am not a professional critic. I love film. I try and find merit in all film. As a host of a podcast that attempts to give every movie a chance, I believe that is the best way to approach movies, let the lights go out and try and enjoy yourself. You might find a “diamond in the rough.”
When thinking of my favorite movies to share with you, my loyal listeners, I thought 100 wasn’t going to be enough. So, I am proud to present my 150 Favorite Films, right now. These will change, I know they will.
See you at the movies!
***Spoilers Ahead!!!***
108. My Fair Lady (1964) Directed by George Cukor
The Movie: Eliza Doolittle (Audrey Hepburn) sells flowers and talks with a thick Cockney accent.Phonetician Professor Henry Higgins (Stewie Griffin…I mean Rex Harrison) meets Colonel Pickering (Wilfrid Hyde-White) a linguist who is home from India. Higgins believes he can turn even Eliza Doolittle into a duchess at an Embassy Ball. Eliza wants to speak better so she can be an assistant at the floral shop, because “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly?” Eliza shows up at Higgins door the next morning and asks for speaking lessons. Pickering tells Higgins he will cover all attendant expenses if Higgins is successful.
Eliza’s father, Alfred P. Doolittle (Stanley Holloway) learns that Eliza has moved into Higgins’ home and confronts the professor there. Alfred explains that he must protect his daughter’s virtue, which he sells to Higgins for five pounds. Higgins recommends to Doolittle to seek out an American friend who is interested in morality.
Eliza moves in and soon she and Higgins begin to clash. She believes that he is out of control with his tutoring and he learns that everyone doesn’t see him as a nice man. Frustrated with Eliza’s lack of progress, Higgins is at his wit’s end, when he hears her recite “The Rain in Spain”. Eliza is shocked too and “I Could Have Danced All Night.”
Higgins decides that Eliza is ready to impress “high society” and takes her to the Ascot Racecourse. At first she looks the part of a lady, but the excitement of the race brings out the true Eliza and she shocks the patrons. One person not shocked is Freddy Eynsford-Hill (Jeremy Brett) and he declares he will meet her on the street outside.
Eliza tries again at the Embassy Ball. The people at the Ball are blown away by Eliza’s beauty and grace. Eliza even dances with a Transylvanian Prince. Hungarian phonetician Zoltan Karpathy (Theodore Bikel) seems to be onto the scam but soon declares Eliza is a Hungarian Princess.
After the success of the Ball, and smug with arrogance with their success, Higgins and Pickering celebrate, but Eliza is dismayed that they do not give her any credit for transformation. Eliza throws Higgins’ slippers at him and runs out of the house and into Freddy. He declares his love for Eliza and she tells him don’t tell her, “Show Me”.
Eliza returns to her father where she learns that he has come into money, left to him by the American. He is to resigned to marry Eliza’s stepmother. Alfred blames Higgins for this and gets drunk on his wedding day. Eliza decides to visit Higgins mother, who is shocked by her son’s behavior.
Higgins is beside himself that Eliza left and finds her at his mother’s house. Higgins begs Eliza to comeback, but she tells him that she is going to marry Freddy and become Karpathy’s assistant.Higgins walks home, but has “Grown Accustomed to Her Face” and misses Eliza. Higgins returns home and listens to the recordings, appalled by his behavior. Eliza appears at his door, and Higgins asks, “Eliza, where in the devil are my slippers?”
Why I Love My Fair Lady (1964): Funny, heartfelt and some of the best performances in a musical, makes My Fair Lady an absolute winner. Of course, Audrey Hepburn steals the show and you fall in love with her every time she walks onto the screen. Rex Harrison is equally charming as the lovable, yet out of touch Higgins.
The costumes are legendary. The way director George Cukor stages the dances and the music is nothing short of cheer-worthy. The film is easy to love, and it will have you smiling from the opening to the classic last line in the film.
I have a huge soft spot in my heart for musicals and this time in Hollywood delivered some of the best. The lavish sets and costumes not only where beautiful to look at, they also served a purpose. When Hepburn walks out during the horserace, you gasp at her beauty and laugh at her antics.
This is an easy film to watch and put on and just let it wash all over you. I get lost in the film every time I watch it. With the not so subtle Cockney accent from Hepburn to her lovable “change” into a Duchess.