FUNNY FACE

Funny Face
Paramount, 1957, Color, 103 minutes, ***
Released February, 1957

Fresh-faced beauty Jo (Audrey Hepburn) is discovered working in a used bookstore and remade by a magazine editor (Kay Thompson) into a major fashion model. Jo falls in love with her photographer Dick Avert (Fred Astaire), but he seems oblivious to her attraction. Musical highlights of the wonderful Gershwin/Gershwin song score include "Clap Yo' Hands" (Fred Astaire and Kay Thompson), "'S Wonderful" (danced by Hepburn and Astaire). Rare screen appearance by MGM drama coach / singer / composer Kay Thompson. Though the film is filled with great tunes by George and Ira Gershwin, it is not a film version of their stage production of the same name from the 1920s, which featured Fred Astaire with sister Adele.

Produced by: Roger Edens
Directed by: Stanley Donen
Assistant Director: William McGarry
Written by: Leonard Gershe
Music and Lyrics by: George and Ira Gershwin
Music Adapted and Conducted by: Adolph Deutsch
Orchestral Arrangements by: Conrad Salinger, Van Cleave, Alexander Courage, Skip Martin
Additional Music and Lyrics by: Roger Edens and Leonard Gershe
Choreography by: Eugene Loring and Fred Astaire
Songs Staged by: Stanley Donen
Art Direction: Hal Pereira and George W. Davis
Set Decoration: Sam Comer and Ray Moyer
Costumes: Edith Head
Miss Hepburn's Paris Wardrobe: Hubert de Givenchy
Makeup Supervision: Wally Westmore
Hair Style Supervision: Nellie Manley
Sound Recording: George and Winston Leverett
Director of Photography: Ray June
Special Photographic Effects: John P. Fulton
Process Photography: Farciot Edouart
Filmed in VistaVision, Color by Technicolor
Technicolor Color Consultant: Richard Mueller
Special Visual Consultant and Main Title Backgrounds: Richard Avedon
Edited by: Frank Bracht

Awards: Academy Award Nominations: Best Original Story and Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction/Set Decoration, Best Costume Design

Cast: Audrey Hepburn [Jo Stockton], Fred Astaire [Dick Avery], Kay Thompson [Maggie Prescott], Michel Auclair [Prof. Emile Flostre], Robert Flemyng [Paul Duval], Dovima [Marion], Virginia Gibson [Babs], Suzy Parker, Sunny Harnett, Don Powell, Carole Eastman [Specialty Dancers], Sue England [Laura], Ruta Lee [Lettie], Alex Gerry [Dovitch], Iphigenie Castiglioni [Armande], Jean Del Val [Hairdresser], Albert D'Arno [Beautician], Nina Borget [Assistant Hairdresser], Marilyn White [Receptionist], Dorothy Colbert [Receptionist], Louise Glenn [Junior Editor], Heather Hopper [Junior Editor], Cecile Rogers [Junior Editor], Nancy Kilgas [Melissa], Emilie Stevens [Assistant Dance Director], Paul Smith [Steve], Diane Dubois [Mimi], Karen Scott [Gigi], Gabriel Curtiz [Man Next to Hand Stand], Peter Camlin [Man Buyer], Elizabeth Slifer [Mme. La Farge], Donald Lawton [Airport Clerk], Karine Nordman [French Girl], Genevieve Aumont [French Actress], Nesdon Booth [Southern Man], George Dee [Seedy Man], Marcel de la Brosse [Seedy Man], Albert Godderis [Seedy Man], Jerry Lucas [Bruiser], Jack Chefe [Frenchman], Jan Bradley [Crying Girl], Jerry Chiat [Man on Head], Elsa Peterson [Woman Buyer], Fern Barry [Southern Wife]

Musical Program: [0:00] Main Title (played by Orchestra behind titles, includes short vocal of "Funny Face" by Fred Astaire and "'S Wonderful" by Girls Chorus); [0:04] Think Pink (sung by Kay Thompson and Chorus [including Virginia Gibson]); [0:17] How Long Has This Been Going On? (sung by Audrey Hepburn); [0:28] Funny Face (sung by Fred Astaire, danced by Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn in a darkroom); [0:34] Bonjour, Paris! (sung by Fred Astaire, Audrey Hepburn and Kay Thompson); [0:43] Basal Metabolism (danced by Audrey Hepburn with two unidenitified male dancers); [0:50] Let's Kiss and Make Up (sung by Fred Astaire to Audrey Hepburn, then danced by Fred Astaire); [1:05] He Loves and She Loves (sung by Fred Astaire, danced by Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn); [1:11] On How to Be Lovely (sung and danced by Audrey Hepburn and Kay Thompson); [1:23] Marche Funèbre (sung by unidentified French singer); [1:25] Clap Yo' Hands (sung and danced by Fred Astaire and Kay Thompson); [1:41] 'S Wonderful (sung and danced by Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire)