Funny Face (1957)

An impromptu fashion shoot at a book store brings about a new fashion model discovery in the shop clerk.

Director:

Stanley Donen

Writer:

Leonard Gershe

Stars:

Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire, Kay Thompson

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Audrey Hepburn	...	Jo Stockton
Fred Astaire	...	Dick Avery
Kay Thompson	...	Maggie Prescott
Michel Auclair	...	Prof. Emile Flostre
Robert Flemyng	...	Paul Duval
Dovima	...	Marion
Suzy Parker	...	Specialty Dancer (Think Pink Number)
Sunny Hartnett	...	Specialty Dancer (Think Pink Number)
Jean Del Val	...	Hairdresser
Virginia Gibson	...	Babs
Sue England	...	Laura
Ruta Lee	...	Lettie
Alex Gerry	...	Dovitch
Iphigenie Castiglioni	...	Armande

Storyline

Fashion photographer Dick Avery, in search for an intellectual backdrop for an air-headed model, expropriates a Greenwich Village bookstore. When the photo session is over the store is left in a shambles, much to salesgirl Jo Stockton's dismay. Avery stays behind to help her clean up. Later, he examines the photos taken there and sees Jo in the background of one shot. He is intrigued by her unique appearance, as is Maggie Prescott, the editor of a leading fashion magazine. They offer Jo a modeling contract, which she reluctantly accepts only because it includes a trip to Paris. Eventually, her snobbish attitude toward the job softens, and Jo begins to enjoy the work and the company of her handsome photographer.

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Plot Keywords:

fashion | fashion model | fashion designer | photographer | model | 

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Taglines:

So beautiful, you won't believe your eyes!

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

25 April 1957 (UK)

Also Known As:

Ein süßer Fratz

Filming Locations:

Champs Elysées, Paris 8, Paris, France

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Re-released in the United Kingdom in March, 2014 by Park Circus.

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Goofs

When photographing in the book store, the assistant does not pull the dark slide far enough out of the 8 x 10 film holder to expose the entire sheet of film.

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Quotes

Maggie Prescott: Let's give 'em the old pizazz!

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Alternate Versions

Kay Thompson is shown singing "do some window shopping in the Rue de la Paix" in pouring rain, carrying an open umbrella. The version shown in the final film was shot in brilliant sunshine with the umbrella left closed!

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Connections

Featured in AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Fred Astaire (1981)

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Soundtracks

Marche Funèbre
Words and Music by Roger Edens (1957)
Sung in French by unidentified singer

User Reviews

Plot, Schmot!

You have Audrey Hepburn, you have Fred Astaire, you have Gershwin songs. Who needs a plot?

Okay, there was something of a plot, something about a Greenwich Village girl who wants to go to Paris, talk b.s. philosophy on the Left Bank, wear black clothes and no make-up. It reads like something out of one of Woody Allen's early stories - before he wrote it!

Audrey Hepburn never knew how to look bad nor act bad. But in this she looks light-years more beautiful as the proverbial Greenwich Village used-book-store Plain Jane than any Paris fashion model - then or now.