How

Audrey Hepburn, renowned for her talent and elegance, did not sing in the film adaptation of My Fair Lady (1964). Instead, her singing voice was dubbed by Marni Nixon, a skilled vocalist who provided vocals for various Hollywood actresses. Nixon’s voice was seamlessly blended with Hepburn’s speaking voice to create a cohesive and believable performance.

Why

There are a few reasons why Audrey Hepburn did not sing in My Fair Lady. Firstly, the film’s producers and director opted for a more authentic portrayal of the character Eliza Doolittle, as depicted in George Bernard Shaw’s play « Pygmalion, » on which the musical is based. In the original play, Eliza Doolittle was a working-class girl with a Cockney accent, and it was deemed that Audrey Hepburn’s natural voice did not fit this character.

Additionally, Audrey Hepburn herself expressed concerns about her own singing abilities. Despite having sung in the 1961 film « Breakfast at Tiffany’s, » she did not consider herself a professional singer and felt that her voice was not strong enough to do justice to the iconic musical numbers of My Fair Lady.

When

The decision for Audrey Hepburn not to sing in My Fair Lady was made during the production of the film in 1963. It was a creative choice that aimed to maintain the authenticity of the character and work within Hepburn’s comfort zone as an actress.

Where

The decision was made by the film’s production team, including the director and producers. The discussions and casting decisions likely occurred in various locations where the production took place, including Los Angeles and London.

Who

The decision for Audrey Hepburn not to sing in the film was made collectively by the film’s production team, including director George Cukor and producers Jack L. Warner and James C. Katz. Audrey Hepburn herself was involved in the decision-making process and expressed her own concerns about her singing abilities.

While no updated web sources specific to this year could be found, it is important to note that the information provided is accurate as of 2023, at the time of writing this article.

Sources:
– My Fair Lady movie review & film summary (1994)
– In ‘My Fair Lady,’ Audrey Hepburn Is Singing at Last
– My Fair Lady | Plot, Cast, Awards, & Facts