The 1938 adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion is here the voice of Shaw. To explain further, Pygmalion is utilised as the carrier for Shaw's opinions and socialist ideals, and his satirising of the middle class values and moral coda. As such, the irony is that Shaw who utilises Pygmalion to critique middle class patronage and their imposition of a moral code in the style of English imperialism, is here the dictator of opinions.
The further irony of Shaw's somewhat naive, gullible views of socialism of that time period is about 'freeing' the subordinate classes and women from the shackles of their positions. Yet as the passage of time reveals, such ideas of freedom have not seen the realisation of either groups.
The lack of freedom of the subordinate classes is measured by their absence in defining British culture which is still premised on middle class morality which is imposed from above by the media. This middle class imposition of their values and morality is illustrated by television shows such as Trinny and Suzanna or Jamie's Minitery of Food. These television shows are imbued with patronising nannying, teaching the average Joe how to dress and cook in th middle class image. It all but says the subordinate class are ignorant.
This is ironic when it is the proletariat whose hard work, intelligence and values shaped industrial Britain and changed working conditions for the better. Meanwhile the middle classes remain ignorant and patronising. They're left scratching around to find new ways to re-assert their dominant position in a class society. This is achieved via their moralising, and ironically, as well as being controversial and telling society that conformity is the back bone of Britain, rather than the toil of the labouring classes.
This moralising by the middle classes is illustrated in the film adaptation of Pygnmalion when the police officer confronts an innocent kiss by the courting couple in he street. It begs the questions of what crime is?, what morality is?, and more to the point what the role of the police officer is? The police are here obviously the middle class enforcers of morality.
As to the acting in the film it is of the highest standards from Howard, Hiller and the rest of the cast. Hiller is particularly excellent at her perfection of Eliza Doolittle.
In sum, this is a film which acts as the preachy voice of George Bernard Shaw.
The further irony of Shaw's somewhat naive, gullible views of socialism of that time period is about 'freeing' the subordinate classes and women from the shackles of their positions. Yet as the passage of time reveals, such ideas of freedom have not seen the realisation of either groups.
The lack of freedom of the subordinate classes is measured by their absence in defining British culture which is still premised on middle class morality which is imposed from above by the media. This middle class imposition of their values and morality is illustrated by television shows such as Trinny and Suzanna or Jamie's Minitery of Food. These television shows are imbued with patronising nannying, teaching the average Joe how to dress and cook in th middle class image. It all but says the subordinate class are ignorant.
This is ironic when it is the proletariat whose hard work, intelligence and values shaped industrial Britain and changed working conditions for the better. Meanwhile the middle classes remain ignorant and patronising. They're left scratching around to find new ways to re-assert their dominant position in a class society. This is achieved via their moralising, and ironically, as well as being controversial and telling society that conformity is the back bone of Britain, rather than the toil of the labouring classes.
This moralising by the middle classes is illustrated in the film adaptation of Pygnmalion when the police officer confronts an innocent kiss by the courting couple in he street. It begs the questions of what crime is?, what morality is?, and more to the point what the role of the police officer is? The police are here obviously the middle class enforcers of morality.
As to the acting in the film it is of the highest standards from Howard, Hiller and the rest of the cast. Hiller is particularly excellent at her perfection of Eliza Doolittle.
In sum, this is a film which acts as the preachy voice of George Bernard Shaw.