# Funny Face

> 1957 film by Stanley Donen

**Wikidata**: [Q147068](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q147068)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Funny_Face)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/funny-face

## Summary
Funny Face is a 1957 American musical romantic comedy film directed by Stanley Donen and starring Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire. The film is notable for its stylish fashion sequences and Gershwin musical numbers, set against the backdrop of the Paris fashion world.

## Key Facts
- Released: February 13, 1957
- Director: Stanley Donen
- Starring: Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire, Kay Thompson
- Genre: Musical romantic comedy
- Production Company: Paramount Pictures
- Country of Origin: United States
- Runtime: 103 minutes
- Budget: $3,000,000
- IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%
- Metacritic Score: 75/100
- Wikipedia Sitelink Count: 39
- Wikidata Description: "1957 film by Stanley Donen"

## FAQs
**What is the plot of Funny Face?**
Funny Face follows a shy bookstore clerk named Jo Stockton (Audrey Hepburn) who is discovered by a fashion photographer (Fred Astaire) and whisked away to Paris for a modeling career. The film combines romance, fashion, and musical numbers as Jo navigates the glamorous world of haute couture while pursuing her intellectual interests.

**Who were the main creative contributors to Funny Face?**
The film was directed by Stanley Donen, with music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin. The screenplay was written by Leonard Gershe, and the cinematography was handled by Ray June. The film's fashion sequences were overseen by designer Hubert de Givenchy, who created Hepburn's iconic wardrobe.

**What are some of the most famous musical numbers in Funny Face?**
Notable musical numbers include "Funny Face," "How Long Has This Been Going On," "S'Wonderful," and "Bonjour, Paris!" The film is particularly remembered for the "Think Pink" sequence featuring Kay Thompson and the fashion show finale set in the Louvre.

**How was Funny Face received by critics and audiences?**
The film received positive reviews upon release and has since become a classic of the musical genre. It was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Original Song for "Funny Face." Critics praised the chemistry between Hepburn and Astaire, the stylish production design, and the memorable musical sequences.

**What is the significance of the fashion elements in Funny Face?**
Funny Face is renowned for its fashion sequences, which were groundbreaking for their time. The film features early appearances of what would become Hepburn's signature style, including the iconic black dress designed by Hubert de Givenchy. The fashion show sequences were shot on location in Paris and helped establish the film as a style icon.

## Why It Matters
Funny Face matters as a landmark in the evolution of the Hollywood musical, combining the elegance of Fred Astaire's dance style with Audrey Hepburn's emerging fashion icon status. The film represents a pivotal moment where cinema, fashion, and music converged to create a cultural touchstone that influenced both the fashion industry and the musical genre. Its innovative approach to integrating fashion photography into narrative storytelling helped establish new visual language for both film and fashion media. The film's success also demonstrated the commercial viability of sophisticated, style-conscious musicals aimed at adult audiences, influencing subsequent productions in both Hollywood and international cinema.

## Notable For
- Starring the legendary pairing of Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire
- Featuring music by George and Ira Gershwin
- Groundbreaking fashion sequences shot on location in Paris
- Introduction of Audrey Hepburn's iconic Givenchy-designed wardrobe
- Four Academy Award nominations including Best Original Song
- Innovative integration of fashion photography into narrative storytelling
- Establishing new visual standards for musical films
- Cultural impact on both cinema and fashion industries
- Preservation in the United States National Film Registry

## Body
### Production and Creative Team
Funny Face was produced by Paramount Pictures and directed by Stanley Donen, who had previously collaborated with Gene Kelly on Singin' in the Rain. The film's screenplay was written by Leonard Gershe, based on his own story. The musical score featured songs by George and Ira Gershwin, including both classic compositions and new material written specifically for the film. The cinematography was handled by Ray June, with art direction by Hal Pereira and Walter Tyler, and costume design by Edith Head and Hubert de Givenchy.

### Cast and Characters
The film stars Audrey Hepburn as Jo Stockton, a philosophy student and bookstore clerk who becomes a fashion model, and Fred Astaire as Dick Avery, a successful fashion photographer. Kay Thompson plays the role of Maggie Prescott, the fashion magazine editor who discovers Jo. Supporting cast includes Michel Auclair as Paul Duval, Robert Flemyng as Professor Emile Flostre, and Dovima as Marion.

### Fashion and Style
Funny Face is particularly notable for its fashion elements, which were revolutionary for their time. The film features early examples of what would become Audrey Hepburn's signature style, including the iconic black dress designed by Hubert de Givenchy. The fashion sequences were shot on location in Paris, including at the Louvre and other famous landmarks. The "Think Pink" sequence, featuring Kay Thompson, became particularly famous for its bold colors and dynamic choreography.

### Musical Numbers and Choreography
The film features several memorable musical numbers choreographed by Eugene Loring. The title song "Funny Face" is performed by Astaire and Hepburn, while "How Long Has This Been Going On" showcases Astaire's sophisticated dance style. The "Bonjour, Paris!" sequence features both leads and was filmed on location in Paris. The fashion show finale, set in the Louvre, combines Gershwin's music with elaborate choreography and Givenchy's designs.

### Critical Reception and Legacy
Upon its release, Funny Face received positive reviews from critics who praised the chemistry between Hepburn and Astaire, the stylish production design, and the memorable musical sequences. The film was nominated for four Academy Awards: Best Original Song ("Funny Face"), Best Color Cinematography, Best Color Costume Design, and Best Sound Recording. Over time, the film has been recognized as a classic of the musical genre and has been preserved in the United States National Film Registry for its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance.

### Cultural Impact
Funny Face has had a lasting impact on both cinema and fashion. The film helped establish Audrey Hepburn as a fashion icon, with her Givenchy-designed wardrobe influencing women's fashion for decades. The integration of fashion photography into narrative storytelling influenced subsequent films and television shows. The film's sophisticated approach to the musical genre, combining intellectual themes with entertainment, influenced later productions and helped establish new standards for the genre.

### Technical Specifications
The film was shot in Technicolor with a 1.85:1 aspect ratio. The production utilized both studio sets and location shooting in Paris, including at the Louvre Museum, the Eiffel Tower, and other famous landmarks. The film's budget of $3,000,000 was substantial for its time, reflecting the high production values and location shooting. The final runtime of 103 minutes includes several elaborate musical sequences and fashion show scenes.

### Distribution and Release
Funny Face was released by Paramount Pictures on February 13, 1957, in the United States. The film had its world premiere in New York City and was subsequently released in other major markets. The film's marketing emphasized the star power of Hepburn and Astaire, as well as the fashion elements and musical numbers. The film has since been released on various home video formats and continues to be broadcast on television and streaming platforms.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050419/)
2. [Source](http://www.filmaffinity.com/es/film752277.html)
3. [Source](http://stopklatka.pl/film/zabawna-buzia)
4. [Source](http://www.allocine.fr/film/fichefilm_gen_cfilm=26519.html)
5. [Source](http://www.adorocinema.com/filmes/filme-26519/)
6. [Source](http://bbfc.co.uk/releases/funny-face-0)
7. [Source](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050419/fullcredits)
8. Česko-Slovenská filmová databáze
9. The Movie Database
10. MusicBrainz
11. Funny Face. Rotten Tomatoes
12. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050419/releaseinfo/)
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
14. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050419/technical/)
15. Kinopoisk
16. [Source](https://www.kijkwijzer.nl/films/funny-face/)
17. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
18. [Source](https://www.cnc.fr/professionnels/visas-et-classification/19621)
19. Online-Filmdatenbank
20. [Source](http://portal.mj.gov.br/ClassificacaoIndicativa/jsps/DadosObraForm.do?select_action=&tbobra_codigo=28236)
21. Brazilian Advisory Rating System
22. [Source](http://cnc.abt.ro/registru/index.aspx?pageID=3&filmID=13247)
23. Bechdel Test Movie List
24. mymovies.it
25. The Feminist Film Guide
26. [Source](https://ui.eidr.org/view/content?id=10.5240/BD49-C91F-B9F1-40FC-0651-I)
27. [Source](https://www.acmi.net.au/works/84568)
28. Kanopy
29. Trakt.tv
30. FilmVandaag.nl