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Breakfast At Tiffany’s (Paramount 1961, Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard)

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As one critic said, the key to this film’s enduring success is, “star power… a showcase for Audrey Hepburn who, at 32, was in her acting prime (Ironically, Capote [writer of the novella on which the film is based] championed giving the part to Marilyn Monroe)”. Given Monroe’s performance in The Seven Year Itch , it is intriguing to wonder how she and Edwards would have interpreted the role of Holly Golightly but Oscar-nominated Hepburn shows not just on-screen style but hidden depths as an actress that Edwards allowed to come out of her previous glamour-girl persona.

Holly is superficially an airhead, an early Sex in the City style girl with her own Manhattan apartment and a lifestyle that involves mindless hedonism. Into her life comes new neighbour Paul Varjak (George Peppard) and the two start a relationship, partly based on things the other has never done (he takes her to the library to borrow a book, she takes him shopping at Tiffany’s). But behind their facades lie hurt – she has a ‘past’ and intends to marry a rich South American for his money while he ‘entertains’ a married woman (Patricia Neal), who always leaves him a little cash gift. As two damaged people begin to fall for each other, so their pains come to the surface and, if the ending is contrived, it is also satisfying.

Edwards, whose star shone brightly in the 60s and 70s, may have fallen into hack work now but this remains one of the jewels in his crown, a fantasy love story with New York shown as a backdrop that has influenced countless filmmakers. Add a script from the writer of (ironically) The Seven Year Itch and The Manchurian Candidate that veers between humour and pathos and, of course, Henry Mancini’s Oscar-winning haunting score (including Moon River ) and you have an enduring cinematic classic.

Academy Award: Henry Mancini, Song – Moon River

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Academy Award Nominations: Audrey Hepburn, George Axelrod

production details
USA / Paramount / 110 minutes / 1961
Director: Blake Edwards
Script: George Axelrod, Truman Capote,

cast
Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly
George Peppard as Paul Varjak
Patricia Neal as 2E Failenson
Buddy Ebsen as Doc Golightly
Martin Balsam as O.J. Berman
José Luis de Villalonga as José da Silva Pereira
John McGiver as Tiffany’s Salesman
Alan Reed as Sally Tomato
Dorothy Whitney as Mag Wildwood
Beverly Powers as Nightclub Stripper
Stanley Adams as Rusty Trawler
Claude Stroud as Sid Arbuck
Elvia Allman as Librarian
Orangey as Cat
Mickey Rooney as Mr. Yunioshi
Charles Sherlock as Reporter at Policed HQ (uncredited)

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Alastair James is the editor in chief for Memorable TV. He has been involved in media since his university days. Alastair is passionate about television, and some of his favourite shows include Line of Duty, Luther and Traitors. He is always on the lookout for hot new shows, and is always keen to share his knowledge with others.

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