You often have to suspend your modern feminist principles in order enjoy films of the 50s. For instance, in
An American in Paris, the viewer must swallow the fact that Gene Kelly chooses the inane 15 year old with buck teeth over the confident, intelligent, and elegant older woman whom he frankly treats rather rudely. And in almost every second Doris Day film, she has to give up her tomboyish ways and learn how to be a ‘real’ woman in order to nab her man.
Similarly, in
Funny Face, you are expected to believe that the young, beautiful, educated, passionate Audrey Hepburn character would fall for crusty old dull-as-ditchwater Fred Astaire. As if!
That isn’t to say I don’t love this film – of course I do. But is there anyone in the history of the world who has watched it and not been internally screaming ‘AUDREY, YOU CAN DO BETTER!’ Fred might be light on his feet, but he is no
George Peppard. That said, Funny Face is one of the best musicals of the 50s, or in fact of any period. This has quite a lot to do with the incredible costumes throughout, designed by the partnership of
Edith Head (head designer for Paramount) and Hubert de Givenchy.
Here are some screencaps of the film so you can all see the beautiful designs, but the Funny Face excitement doesn’t stop there - I have two more posts coming up so stay tuned!
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| The bookshop is invaded by fashion types. Audrey is extremely unhappy. |
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| But still manages to look chic in her ‘frumpy’ taupe tunic |
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| Maggie (Kay Thomspn) sees the potential… |
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| And next minute Jo is in a plane, and off to Paris |
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| Simply elegant in a classic tan trench coat |
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| The photo shoot begins in a flower shot |
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| A better view of the floral full skirted dress Audrey is wearing |
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| A soft grey layered tulle ball gown with embroidered soft pink roses |
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| Kissing her prince |
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| Stalking down the stairs in another tulle concotion and emerald green silk wrap |
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| The famous red dress |
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| A simple black 50s boat neck dress |
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| And escaping balloons |
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| Pretending to be Anna Karenina in a marvellous hat |
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| The iconic train image |
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| Catching fish in the Seine in a pair of white capris |
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| Get ready to vom |
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| Soft focus dancing *spew* |
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| No one else has ever looked this good in a plain black polo neck |
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| Fighting with Fred Astaire. Well you would, wouldn’t you. |
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| The famous blue silk cloak |
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| And you can see how lustrous the silk of the cape is here in the taxi |
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| Still looking fabulous in a simple white shirt, curse her! |
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| Modelling a yellow sating cocktail dress with floating panel at the back |
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| Black shift dress with scarf and hat – does anyone know what style of hat this is called? |
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| White silk sheath dress with pink capelet and floating panel |
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| Elegant cream suit with parasol |
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| Back view |
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The most ridiculous lines in the film:
Old Biddy 1 : What a beautiful bride!” OB 2: “Yes. Pity it isn’t her wedding” |
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| Oh I know it is sad Audrey. But just wait a few years and you will get George Peppard instead. |
1960s pink ruched pin-up swimsuit with boning 
1950s lipstick red full dirndl skirt 
1970s purple sweetheart maxi dress by Rieger Moden 
1960s blue daisy print baby doll smock dress 
1960s black cocktail dress with sequinned bodice 
1960s purple paisley scooter dress 
1970s does 50s green satin court shoes 
1960s lurex brocade paisley evening bag 
1970s Ossie Clark for Charnos ladder tights 
1960s belted purple swagger coat 
>Sorry, was lost in daydreams of George Peppard for a minute then…
The age difference in this film is so noticeable in that taxi screenshot. It's not something that always bothers me but here, ick!
I would pass over ever single costume in this film to get my hands on the emerald silk wrap. Stunning.
>What a pitch perfect plot synopsis — and you are so right about having to suspend one's feminist principles to enjoy such films, don't even get me started on Doris Day!
xoxo ~ Courtney
http://sartorialsidelines.blogspot.com
>I don't think Fred Astaire ever looked young did he?
>Could not agree with Miss Rayne more! I was thinking the very same thing just the other day. Along with my constant thinking in the same vein about Sid James.
I am not a watcher of old movies (*runs for cover*) unless they involve Marilyn. I know .. I know.. i should broaden my eyeballs. But I might just check this out :)
>I have never seen this film. I must see it at once, wowwwwwwwwwwwwww all those wonderful dresses yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Fred is not in his best years, is he????. Audrey spendid.
Looking forward to some more of your pics.
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>wow, stunning images, I must really find this film. Thanks for directing us to this
>LOVE. HER. Ohhh the wedding dress… ohh all the dresses! Love that she wore flats with prom dresses :) xx
>this remains one of my favourite films EVER. I truly feel that the costumes reflect Ms. Hepburn's own style (esp. the Givenchy). As for the movie's gender stuff…the lyrics of the title song have always made me wince a little (who is Fred to be telling AUDREY's character she has a "funny face."). On the plus side, I love that this movie DOES get female and male viewers to see an educated, supposedly unconventionally beautiful woman as more attractive than someone who might more perfectly fit the society's ideals of female beauty on the outside, but who lacks spirit, intellect, etc. Surely, there must be some proto-feminist leanings in that aspect of the movie (as opposed to, say, some of the other 50s movies you allude to?). Just a thought. All in all, it's a glorious movie.
>You know, I've never seen this! I'll put it on the list. As for the hat, is it a pillbox hat? (Might need to zoom in to really check.) xx
>Should I be ashamed? I've never seen Funny Face. I'm not really a fan of Audrey Hepburn. My friends say I should be chucked out of the girl's club as given the choice I'd plump for a Vietnam war film, rock documentary or some subtitled dark foreign film over a romance (unless it's Bollywood). The clothes do look fabulous, though. xxx
>Great post! One of my favorite Audrey looks is when she is clad in her simple, yet chic black top! Audrey had such a stunning beauty!
This is my first comment on your blog! I also wanted to compliment your site! It is wonderful!
>Audrey Hepburn is a genius! Look at that white puffy dress…isn't it amazing?? And I love how she got away with wearing flats!
Hannah x
>I love this film! Perhaps I'll watch it this evening. The age difference is quite disconcerting though…
>Great post! I love all the clothes in the film!!
http://style-in-sight.blogspot.com
>Um,I'm a bit shocked that I haven't seen this film!!Whoops!Shall rectify!!I'm not huge on Audrey,but I do love a pretty frock filled film!!!
>I enjoyed FF when I saw it a couple of years ago, mainly for the amazing clothes as your screencaps have perfectly illustrated, but also the cutesy-cheesy vibe was totally endearing.
I, however, simply must disagree re: Fred. He had the moves! And he's not a terribly handsome chap, nor a young man at this stage in his career, yet he just oozes charm and seems so sparky. Tbh, Peppard always struck me as a bit of a meathead; could never believe the whole sensitive-tortured-writer schtick from him *runs from fuming GP fans* :-)
>I haven't seen Funny Face since I was a child. Off to buy a copy now. Thanks Margaret xx
>really…has anyone ever been more amazingly beautiful? what a fantastic woman!
>Sadly Fred was a bit past his prime looks wise in this film but before he got the dreaded neck sag I think he was quite handsome in his younger days .Audrey is so beautiful & graceful,as you mentioned she looks just as stunning in the shirt & capris as does in the cocktail dress & ball gown.
The great thing about Audrey is she was just as graceful,elegant & beautiful inside as well as out in real life too.
>I love Fred. Even if he is old and jowly in this film.
>Audrey has the female version of Sam Waterston's eyebrows in this movie!
>Ah yes Funny Face – I spent the whole time at uni dressing like Audrey in this film minus the white wedding dress of course until my last year when I went all rockabilly/goth/rock chic melded into one!
Of course Richard Avedon was the consultant director on this film and the visuals are stunning. Edith Head is my favourite, I wrote my first Masters essay on her work.
Great post lovely to see the stills even the spewy bit! xx
>LOVE this post! Such great screen shots. Can't decide if I like the tulle with the green wrap the best or the just the black polo neck… It is Audrey that makes me relentlessly attempt polo necks even though they look cripplingly bad on me. One day it might be different… But probably not. Boo. x
>I couldn't agree with you more! I LOVE old movies, but its rather humorous to look back at these films with a modern outlook of life and see all the unbalanced male/female "roles" and perceptions they had cooking in those days. Agh. Oh well. I'm loving all these photo of Audrey! Thanks for sharing. Love the look of your blog! Following!
xo,
Molly Jane
PS. Stop by and say hello!:)
http://www.browneyedcharmer.blogspot.com
>HA! I love this movie, but Fred Astaire's melty face is always a bit of a distraction. Some old man kisses her and all of a sudden she's singing about being in love? I'd be calling the cops.
>You can't judge Fred Astaire from the stills. The man had charm that could only be captured when he moved and spoke. To quote Audrey,(when asked if she thought he was attractive)
"Charm is the most attractive thing in the world. And he very charming." Some women like older men, and Audrie was one of them. She had a few romances in real life with men old enough to be her father, and she did many movies in which her romantic interest was much older. I'm not advocating this, by any means. Astaire and Audrie were able to make the romance believable, even though his character (Dick Avery) is a male chauvanist pig and very controlling. That's called good acting.
>Thank you for all your comments, I'm glad you liked the pictures. It looks as though we have plenty of Fred lovers here, so I was very wrong! Personal taste huh ;)
Alex – I know, woof!
Courtney – Doris Day can be difficult, can't she. I hate it when they make her stop being a tomboy in films.
Miss Rayne – ha, true!
Landgirl – the nice thing about enjoying vintage nowadays is you don't have to take part in ALL aspects of it. I love old films and clothes, but as you have seen I am rubbish at doing hair, nails and make-up!
Sacramento- yes, you must!
Fashion Limbo – it really is a visual treat :)
Love Miss Daisy Vintage – yeah, we love flats!
Baroness – good point definitely. It does irk me a little that everything Jo is 'into' is revealed to be a bit of a sham, as if women using their brains will only screw things up… but I'm probably overreacting. And you are right, he does see sense and go for the smart girl so there is that :)
Jen – you must watch it. A later comment on the next post gave the hat as a toque. I really need to learn more about hats.
Vix – hang your head in shame! How funny, I absolutely cannot sit through Vietnam war films, and some foreign films are great but for the most part I get bored. Rock docos are good though, if we ever watched a film together it would have to be about Woodstock or something!
Lady Betty – Thanks so much, that is really sweet of you :) It is simultaneously heartening and daunting that Audrey manages to make a plain black top look so chic
Hannah – yes, I love any woman who makes me feel better about not killing myself in heels all day!
Stephanie – let me know if you watched it – I must say it made me want to again, but stupidly I got rid of my DVD copy a while ago.
Hanna – aren't they all so beautiful
Helga! – you don't even need to look at Audrey or Fred, the clothes carry it!
Siobhan – haha, perhaps I like meatheads! I did like Fred when he was Ginger, so it is probably more the age difference that makes me feel uncomfortable. And yes, he certainly had the moves!
Christina – hope you enjoy! x
Madeline – she was one in a zillion huh :)
Mrs Cleaver – yes you are right, Fred in the 1930s gives me no problems, I just don't want him messing around with Audrey in the 50s! One of the reasons I have always loved Audrey is because she was such a truly GOOD person, so much heart.
Peas – rotfl, you always make me laugh.
WendyB – Does that make Audrey your girl crush?
Kate – you must have been the most stylish girl in uni. My style was more 'tacky hippy'.
Chuck – I look terrible in polo necks too. Short neck, it is never going to work for me. If you get a shorter type of polo neck it can sometimes work though :)
Molly Jane – yeah you've really got to suspend your principles or you'd be gripping the armrests in rage!
Jenni – ROTFL!
Anonymous – thank you for being so polite – when I saw the dreaded 'anonymous' I was worried I was going to be called names or something. I guess we all just have differnt types of men we like, and Fred isn't for me – but that said I thought he was great with Ginger Rogers so probably more than anything it was the big age difference, which was very common to see in films then but bugs me because then and now people think it is ok for a much older man to be with a young girl but you never see it the other way round.
As for Audreys personal life… she did end up with some older men certainly, but I'm not sure that was very good for her as some of them were jerks! Getting pyschological here, but I would guess it was something to do with her father leaving them when she was so young.
>I can't believe I've never watched this film! Just added it to my DVD rental list!