Miss Modish Muses: Funny Face

My new favorite cheer up movie of all time (even surpassing Amelie I think) is Funny Face! An oldie but a definite goodie. We rented it from Netflix and it's been sitting on our coffee table for a couple months- are you in the mood to watch a musical from 1957? Uh, no, not really.

But this past Sunday night we finally gave it a chance, and had I known what was in store for me I would've watched it long ago and many many times since. It's pure fantastic. Pure happy. Pure entertainment in so many ways! Both the mister and I sat with big silly grins on our face the entire time!

For those who don't know the story (I didn't before I watched) it about a fashion magazine (love it already?) and Fred Astaire is a photographer bored and uninspired by the usual dimwitted pretty models he shoots. The whole crew heads out to a little bookstore in Greenwich Villiage to try to add some life to their photoshoot, and there he meets the bookstore beauty (Audrey Hepburn) who's obsessed with philosophy and is very intellectual and thinks fashion is trivial and silly. She catches his eye, being so different from all the usual girls, and he convinces her to try modeling and come to Paris with them. She agrees because she wants to meet a French philosopher she idolizes and can't afford a trip to Paris on her own so, the plot begins...

{all images from Fanpop}

What ensues is funny, adorable and engaging and all the singing and dancing along the way is unbelievably entertaining, by everyone. Fred Astaire dancing is one of the most amazing things I've ever seen, Audrey dancing in a little 50s French beatnik club is quirky and magical and made me love her even more. And the fashion! And Paris! It felt like we were transported into a whole new world and were almost sad to leave when it was over. It's my new favorite old movie, for sure :)

What's your favorite old movie or movie that is without a doubt sure to put a smile on your face?

Comments

[Anne-Marie]

It's also Audrey Hepburn, also not one of her best-known - How to Steal a Million with Peter O'Toole.

[beth c]

My favorite Audrey movie (also my favorite old movie... and will-instantly-bring-a-smile-to-my-face movie) is Charade with Cary Grant.

(runner up: Cary Grant's Arsenic and Old Lace)

[•k•]

What's my favorite old movie? This one, this one! I love Funny Face.

[Amy]

This is up there with my faves, so gorgeous and silly. Actually anything with Fred Astaire makes me happy, even if he's probably 40 years older than Audrey:-)

[Rachel R]

There are so many great classic films but the one that always puts a smile on my face is 'His Girl Friday'. It is a pitch-perfect screwball comedy, with Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell.

[Little Gray Pixel]

Thanks for this post! I love this film, it's one of my favorites. And it's been far too long since I've seen it. *Mental note.*

[jessica]

Funny Face is one of my tops. Made doubly awesome as the creator of the Eloise books plays Maggie Prescott (Ringa them bells...) my next two fave flicks are

Lover come Back*Doris Day & Rock Hudson
This one has the best clothing and the ever delightful Doris Day. Add a booze based candy and it's a topper!

What a Way to go*Shirley Maclaine, Gene Kelly, Paul Newman, Dick Van Dyke, Dean Martin and Robert Mitchum.

What a Way to Go is seriously one of my most, most favorite films ever. The costumes are divine, the humor is wicked and Shirley Maclaine is adorable as always.

[Donalds Organic Texas Garden]

One of my all time favs!

[Kerry]

I love this movie. It's so beautiful. Did you know that Hubert Givenchy designed the costumes for Audrey himself?
Another 50's musical winner is Singing In The Rain. LOVE that movie.

[Carolyn Cochrane Photography]

I'll have to check this out, it sounds pretty entertaining! I doubt my hubby would be willing to sit down and watch it though! :)

[sally]

I love the iconic album cover for Funny Face too!

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51eR%2BcsxOkL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

I have it framed on my wall :)

[Nicole]

anything audrey is a winner :) every film she made is sure to stand the test of time.

[Hanna]

I love this one too! The part where they're taking all the photos around Paris is sooo cute.

[Shell]

I love, love old movies. My list would be way too long. Since Funny Face is a musical. I have to chime in Summer Stock and The Pirate starring Judy Garland and Gene Kelly. Are two of my favorites that always makes me smile and feel good.

[a.b.]

"What a Way to Go!" with Shirley MacLaine. It's about a women who wants to marry for love, not money, but keeps marrying poor, earnest men who become millionaires and die from fame/greed. No, it's actually really funny, even if it doesn't sound like it.

[Cassandra]

@ a.b. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! I saw that movie years ago - loved it - and have not been able to remember the name of it for the life of me since then. (Writing it down now!)

I love everything Audrey, and Funny Face is no exception. Btw, I gained a much deeper seated appreciation for her and her work after reading a biography on her recently. I learned so much! If you love Audrey, I highly recommend picking up a biography or two from the library - you'll enjoy it. :)

Some of my (other) absolute favorites, though, would be State Fair, White Christmas and Harvey Girls off the top of my head. Those have been on repeat in my craftroom lately. The talent, the joy, the colors, the outfits - I can't get enough!!

[gaia • Illustration]

I love that you love this movie! I love it too, mostly because it is SO insane in the best of ways. And the colors!--to die for.

[Robin at NewfandHound]

Singing In the Rain! Amazing talent. Can't forget Holiday Inn too, I watch that every year.