Why a 1957 musical flop became a timeless icon of style and cinema
In short: Directed by Stanley Donen, the 1957 musical Funny Face initially failed at the box office. Yet, this elegant collaboration between Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn eventually found its audience. Beyond its vibrant aesthetic, the film serves as a fascinating intersection of fashion, philosophy, and the evolving legacy of the Gershwin brothers.
The film Funny Face is a distinct departure from the 1927 Broadway musical of the same name. While both feature Fred Astaire, the film’s plot—adapted from Leonard Gershe’s musical Wedding Bells—is entirely original. The story follows a fashion magazine editor, Maggie Prescott, who seeks a model that embodies both beauty and intellect. She discovers Jo Stockton, a bookstore clerk and amateur philosopher, and whisks her away to Paris. The production is notable for its visual flair, particularly the work of photographer Richard Avedon, whose influence extended to the film’s characterization of Astaire’s photographer role and its iconic, overexposed close-ups of Hepburn.
The film’s reception was sharply divided upon its 1957 release. While American critics like Bosley Crowther praised its stylish, glittering nature, British reviewers found its satirical take on intellectualism offensive and brash. Despite receiving four Academy Award nominations—including nods for costume design by Edith Head and Hubert de Givenchy—the film failed to break even initially. It was only after a 1964 theatrical reissue, following the massive success of My Fair Lady, that Funny Face finally turned a profit and cemented its status as a classic.
Beyond the screen, the production is a treasure trove of artistic collaboration. Kay Thompson, a musical director who rarely appeared on camera, delivered a memorable performance as the editor Maggie Prescott, a character inspired by real-life fashion figures like Diana Vreeland or Carmel Snow. Hepburn, in her first musical role, performed her own vocals and utilized her dance training for several numbers. Today, the film is celebrated for its photographic innovations and remains a staple of mid-century cinema, holding an 85% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Funny Face
- Also: Wikidata — Funny Face · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — Funny Face · CC0
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