In 1964 the Academy Award for Best Costume Design would have been My Fair Lady. This musical, filmed by director George Cukor in 1964 and based on George Bernard Shaw's 1913 Pygmalion, starred the unforgettable Audrey Hepburn. But besides Ms. Hepburn in all of her adorableness, the costumes were mesmerizing. Eloquence and beauty were what the designer, Cecil Beaton, had in mind when he went to work on this movie.
One scene which stands out in my mind that encompasses this is the opening scene. Cukor begins this movie with the ending of an evening at the Royal Opera in Covent Garden. The women leaving are all dressed in brightly colorful gowns. These dresses are not the typical colors either but are bright purple and yellow, colors that capture the audience's attention. This scene made a statement and set the tone for the movie.
This tone was kept up when later in the film Hepburn goes to the Ascot horse races. For this scene the costume designer decided to hypnotize the audience. In an unconventional choice, the chorus members all wearing black and white costumes. These different patterns, accompanied by the dance sequence, again drew the viewers in and captured their attention.
In My Fair Lady an outstanding feat was accomplished in costume design. Never before have I seen a movie where I have found the costume awe-inspiring and unforgettable. Give my regards to the costume designer for making the costumes the most memorable part of My Fair Lady, which is no easy task with Audrey Hepburn as the star.