I have to state up front: I adore George Cukor. I think he got the best performances out of his actors (male and female) and he worked with the best of the best. For a good documentary watch American Master's "On Cukor" (some of it misses but overall a great tribute to his film legacy.)
I believe Romeo and Juliet (which isn't very good in my opinion) was begun as vehicle for Norma Shearer (she had already done the balcony scene in The Hollywood Revue of 1929) and she, being the wife of Irving Thalberg, got the roles she wanted to play. Thalberg loved literary adaptations. I believe the film was a hit for M-G-M even though Shakespeare wasn't a box-office guarentee.
I do, however, get a kick out of Edna Mae Oliver as the nurse -- all wrong, but love her anyway.
As for "My Fair Lady" the American Masters doc. relates this story: George Cukor and some of his friends were sitting at home watching "My Fair Lady" on television. Near the end of the film, George got up to go to bed. A friend said, "Where are you going? The film is not over yet." Cukor replied, "Well, it should be."
"ubiquitous"
Updated On: 1/7/05 at 10:42 AM