Kay Thompson taught Judy Garland how to move, how to phrase her songs, her hand gestures...everything and created the 'concert Judy' we know and love. Kay was deeply appreciated and was Liza's godmother.
Kay Thompson doing Diana Vreeland while showing everyone how a number is done, AND samples of Suzi Parker, Dovima, and Sunny Harnett!! Delicious. It will stay with me all day.
This was made in 1957 !! and it looks more lively, colourful, smarter, funnier than any contemporary musical-comedy. I certainly feel it even MORE 3D than HUGO, or The Great Gatsby.....AMAZING creativity!
I love this movie for many reasons, but one of them is how incredibly ahead of its time it was in many respects. The edition anticipates the videoclip aesthetics by several decades, the subtle but acid criticism of consumerism and manipulative fashion was very unusual for the 1950s (especially in American cinema), the way it mocks French existentialism and exposes its terrible boredom and pretense was very bold (it risked being attacked by all the intelligentsia of the time), all while being incredibly fun and having Audrey Hepburn at her best, prettiest and most elegant ever! This scene doesn't have Audrey, but Kay Thompson keeps us transfixed at the screen, and it embodies most of the film's many virtues. A true classic!
This may be the most artistic and genuine number in the entire musical, because of how perfectly it defines and describes an entire kind of person and an entire aspect of human life. The way the song is sung, the deep, complex and sometimes conflicting emotions properly enunciated with every sung note from both her and the rest of the ladies in the office, the tempo, the basic feel of the instrumental parts, all of it is simply a perfect musical number that evokes in the mind another life and world. One person said, "I thought she was a bitch, but then I realized she was the fairy godmother." In truth, she is all these things and more, but more than anything else, she is the spirit of everything a professional should be and the kind of passion and vision that work and business should inspire in all of us. She is not perfect, but she is splendid, alive and a true realization of herself.
I love Kay Thompson, and her "Bazzaz"! This is one of my favorite numbers in all of musical films. I saw it a few ago on the big screen, and it was too good for words.
Kay Thompson - Liza Minelli's godmother and THE creator of the post film 'concert Judy Garland'. They worked together creating that entire repertoire of hand gestures, hair-grabs, head nods, facial tics, etc. etc. etc. that was THE stage persona of Judy from the spectacular beginning of her concert career. Also Kay helped her perfect her vocal style for drama and to accent her uncanny natural abilities. Kay was the queen of sophisticated cabaret along with Andy Williams (her lover) and Andy's two brothers.
There's something to be said for big glossy in-your-face technicolor entertainment.. and the best part, is that its lighthearted and makes no bones about it
Pink bathrooms, pink kitchen appliances, so much pink in the 50s. Very mid century - and one of the finest examples of mid century was the ship Andrea Doria (came out in 1953, sank in 1956) - main dining room had modern chairs in “old rose” upholstery. Not to make light of the disastrous sinking, but the ship WAS quite beautiful.
Maybe that’s why people that work in the fashion industry often wear plain simple stuff themselves. As in classic, or basic black with pearls. Here Kay Thompson’s character - if this was real life- probably would have thought she would lose her authority if she followed trends.
@@radamik exactly. Her job is to give the common people trends to follow so that they keep coming back to pay them more money to chase even more trends. That’s why she wears black, she doesn’t have to follow trends since she is already stylish and she has the authority to set trends since she is trendless. The moment she starts following trends is the moment that people stop reading her catalogues and stop shopping her clothes. She must set herself apart from the common folk by appearing timeless and always in style since only then can she tell people what is trendy and what is not. If she appeared in the new trend wave style than she would be quickly forgotten about since trends are cyclical and always changing. Remaining in classic pieces like a black dress with pearls is a good way to always look like you know how to dress well.
Kay Thompson looks really amazing in this clip. She was so versatile a woman. I could imagine her lamenting the low quality of entertainment. I miss her very much.
She was a spectacular cabaret performer. She worked long hours with Judy Garland to totally reinvent her - not just the phrasing, the voices but all the gestures, the walk, the 'reach' the 'hair pull' etc. etc. Judy needed to be fine tuned for the concert hall and to leave behind the MGM Judy. She indeed appreciated her, Kay was Liza Minelli's godmother.
In Hollywood! Most people then as now do not dress in custom couture clothing. Did people, especially women dress more formally then? Yes, but also constrained by foundation undergarments and other aspects of pre-sexual revolution America.
James Cagney rhythm (rhythm, not dialogue): "Now I wouldn't presume to tell a woman what a woman ought to think; but tell her if she's gotta think...think Pink!"
MAGGIE (::calming them down::) Girls, girls, girls, girls... (::Ripping off bits of pink material she has taken from the shelf, giving them to each secretary::) Listen: take this to all the designers; I want dresses made up in exactly this shade of pink. Babs: take this round to Kaiser Delmont, I want shoes and stockings in exactly this colour. Laura: everything goes pink! I want the whole issue pink; I want the whole country pink! (::Pauses::) Lettie: take an editorial: (::dramatically::) "To the women of America..."-no, make it to the women everywhere: "banish the black, burn the blue, and bury the beige! From now on girls..." MAGGIE. Think pink! think pink! when you shop for summer clothes. Think pink! think pink! if you want that quel-que chose. Red is dead, blue is through, Green's obscene, brown's taboo. And there is not the slightest excuse for plum or puce or chartreuse. Think pink! forget that Dior says black and rust. Think pink! who cares if the new look has no bust. Now, I wouldn't presume to tell a woman what a woman oughtta think, But tell her if she's gotta think: think pink-! WOMEN. for bags! pink for shoes! Razzle, dazzle and spread the news! And pink's for the lady with joie de vive! Pinks for all the family. Try pink shampoo. Pink toothpaste too. Play in pink, all day in pink, Pretty gayin pink. Drive in pink, come alive in pink, Have a dive in pink. Go out dancing but just remember one thing: You can get a little wink If you got a little pink In your swing. MEN (::painters, with NYC accents::) Think pink! think pink, it's the latest word, you know. Think pink! think pink and you're Michelangelo. WOMEN. Feels so gay, feels so bright. Makes you day, makes you night. Pink is now the colour to which you gotta switch! MEN. (--Do what you gotta switch!--) WOMEN. Every stitch! MEN. (--Every stitch you switch!--) MAGGIE. Think pink! think pink on the long, long road ahead. WOMEN And MEN. On the road, (--And MAGGIE--) think pink! MAGGIE. ...think pink and the world is rosey-red WOMEN And MEN. (--Everything's rosey.--) MAGGIE. Everything on the great horizon, Everything that you can think- and that includes the kitchen sink, Think pink! WOMEN And MEN. Think pink, think pink Think pink, think pink Think pink, think pink! source: www.lyricsondemand.com/a/audreyhepburnlyrics/thinkpinklyrics.html
Virginia Gibson , three years after Seven Brides For Seven Brothers then Funny Face . Five years after this movie co hosting Discovery 62 on ABC-TV daytime . What a roller coaster ride ! She is at 2:08, taking Ms. Thompsons instructions .
I hear MS Prescott part was inspired by Diana Vreeland fashion editor of BAZAR AND VOGUE ,, check out the Documentary Diana Vreeland The Eye has to Travel. This is where this clip is shown, she also discovered CHER , BARB STREISAND as models while they were also starting their singing careers. She was an amazing woman,
You cut off the punch line, where Kay Thompson replies that she wouldn't be caught dead wearing pink. It is the culmination of the whole number, you know?
Currently watching Funny Face, but tuned in late and didn't see that wonderful Think Pink sequence that was a prelude to the fast track editing format used in movies, TV shows and commercials, educational films, you name it. Besides fast moving scenes, I saw that dark little beauty, Sue England, in the above scene in the off-white outfit. She is best remembered for Kidnapped (1948), and some character roles in movies and TV.
This video is of Kay Thompson. I'm reading the Andy Williams autobiography "Moon River and Me" (I highly recommend the audiobook) and am here because he mentions this clip. He also discusses how he had a relationship with her as a young boy (scary thought...they kind of resemble each others long, thin face) and she was a major part of his success because of all her connections. Until he met Claudine Longet... :)
I absolutely love "Funny Face," but I keep thinking about my beloved Grandmother, who around 1967-1968, had her pretty white hair dyed bright BLUE! (I did like the color). Yes, it's true (I was around age of 11 or 12) and never forgot it. I guess that it was kind of the style back then for some of the older set. Well, I guess I can say that I am happy that my dear Gran did not go full-out pink with her hair. She was not a fan of the color, and the idea of her showing up (at our place) with flaming pink hair, would have prompted me to run away to planet Pluto! Cheers to all!
NO! You cut out the payoff man. At the end of the song, she starts barking more commands and a guy asks her if she is going to wear pink or something to that effect, and she replies, "I wouldn't be caught dead in the stuff." Best way to end that scene, in my mind, and was bummed it was missing from the upload. BUT, thanks for uploading.
Fact! Most people nowadays say 'pizzazz' when in fact it is really 'bizzazz'. "Blood! And brains! And bizzazz!" "Oh no Mrs Prescott you musn't say that!" So may great lines. x
That's cute! I was in NYC 17 years, am in Paris now, been 19 years. I've worked for a lot of those places. If you want to see what it's often like, there's a cute channel here called MyLittleParis that does a clip on what Parisians say at work. It's extremely accurate! My best to you. There were definitely some classic moments in my career, that is for sure! :)
With some Diane Vreeland’s quips... I suspect the “Think Pink” was about when Diane wanted make a complete “Fuchsia” edition... Snow just say “Ok, 4 pages”
NoirFemme Also the blonde woman in the green suit, Nancy Kilgas is in this clip too. She was in the movies 7 brides for seven brothers, Oklahoma, high school hellcats.
Think pink and the world is rosy red! And those male dancers - no way are they gay. Nope. Didn't happen. Why do the secretaries all speak in unison, like borg?
