Funny Face - Part 2: Looking at the greats

So! We continue with our look at the 1956 classic “Funny Face” starring Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire. In part 2 we’re going to take a closer look at the amazing “Court yard” dance, performed amazingly by Astaire and “Clap yo hands”, performed by Astaire and Kay thompson:

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“Clap Yo Hands” performed by Fred Astaire and Kay Thompson

Astaire used his mac like a matador would use his cape, to amazing affect, as well as his umbrella like a sword. And also a note…the umbrella throw was real! Fred Astaire would practice for months until perfection. Ginger Rogers once said that her feet bled after rehearsing with Astaire. He loved props and really brought them to life…real life! I do feel that he was the best. Say if we compare his use of props to Gene Kelly’s in “Cover Girl” (ie. the hat stand), this is clear to see. He is a magical dancer and was always dressed immaculately in sharp suits, he always looked fantastic, on and off the set.

In the late 40’s “jazz” was just coming into fashion and Astaire or any great star of the like would have looked down upon it as a fad or nonsense, probably…this is clear to see in the piece…it is a satire on “jazz”…interpretating it through the filter of Hollywood, saying that it was a little silly….they who specialised in BALLET and TAP.

Anyway, the genius of Astaire and Thompson is that they lifted it and the style that was in vogue at the time in Paris and really made it look dignified and classy…just what I love about them. Even a send up of the Philosopher, the French and “Jazz” is made to look majestic and dignified.