My Fair Lady
George Bernard Shaw would have little dreamt that his play Pygmalion would turn into a legendary Broadway show and later an equally popular film. Though Rex Harrison and Julie Andrews were the actors in the play, director George Cukor replaced Julie Andrews with Audrey Hepburn. The 1964 film was a major hit winning eight Oscars. It was also one of the first movies to have a background singing voice for Hepburn as her voice was not as good as Andrews’.
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This Shakespeare play produced as a film by MGM in 1953 had Marlon Brando as Mark Antony and James Mason as Brutus. The delivery of Antony’s famed speech by Brando is unforgettable and he was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal. James Mason’s portrayal of Brutus was one of his best. The entire film was a hit because of these two actors.
Sabrina
This 1954 film has Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn and William Holden in leading roles. Holden as a playboy does his part extremely well. Bogart as an elder brother in the film portrays his role in a lively manner. It is a treat to watch Holden being dissuaded by Bogart from marrying Sabrina, the daughter of the chauffer. Bogart’s portrayal in pretending to love Sabrina and ending up marrying her are the turning points of the story and the scene in which he joins her on the ship is a memorable one.
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Navaratri
A Sivaji Ganesan-Savitri starrer, this film (1964) was the first in Tamil to have nine characters portrayed by the principal actor depicting the navarasas. All the nine behavioural aspects were brought out by Sivaji with his inimitable histrionic capabilities. It is difficult to believe that a single actor could perform such diversified roles.Savitri matched the demand superbly especially in the role of a stage actor in a scene that stole the show. With a brilliant musical score this film stands out as one of the best.
Sabaash Meena
A 1958 full-length Tamil comedy movie, the film directed by Ramakrishnaiah Panthulu, who had also written the story, has in its lead role Sivaji Ganesan, who proved beyond doubt that he is a man for all seasons. Without lewd dialogues, this film became its own metaphor. Chandra Babu in dual roles played his part so well that he brought a new sense of respectability to comedians. Ranga Rao lent support to the film.
Those that almost made it
Who Is Afraid of Virginia Woolf: Mike Nichols
For a Few Dollars More: Sergio Leone
Guna: Santhana Bharathi
Baasha: Suresh Krissna
K.R.A. Narasiah served with the Royal Indian Navy and later retired as Chief Mechanical Engineer, Visakhapatnam Port Trust.