My Fair Lady again in the part of Higgins. The casting of Audrey Hepburn instead of Julie Andrews as Eliza was controversial, partly because theatregoers regarded Andrews as perfect for the part and partly because Hepburn's singing voice was dubbed (by Marni Nixon). Jack L. Warner, the head of Warner Bros., which produced the film, wanted "a star with a great deal of name recognition", but since Julie Andrews did not have any film experience, he thought a movie with her would not be as successful. (Andrews went on to star in "Mary Poppins" that same year for which she won both the
My Fair Lady a hit London production, a popular film version, and many revivals. "My Fair Lady" has been called "the perfect musical". It is Edwardian London, the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. The protagonist, Eliza Doolittle, is a Cockney with a thick, unintelligible accent. Professor Henry Higgins invites Colonel Pickering to stay as his houseguest. Soon after, Eliza Doolittle comes to Professor Higgins's house, seeking elocution lessons. Professor Higgins wagers Colonel Pickering, that in six months he will turn Eliza into a lady by teaching her to speak properly. Eliza is indentured into the Higgins household as a resident elocution student. After