Movies at Mechanics' Presents Funny Face (1957)

A simple bookseller is thrust into the world of high fashion when a magazine discovers her during a photo shoot in her bookstore. Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn are joined by the magnificent Kay Thompson in this spirited, talent-packed musical from 1957.

Fred Astaire needs no introduction as a dancer, but Audrey Hepburn began her life as a ballerina, giving secret performances for the Dutch Resistance during World War II. While she is primarily known for her acting skill–winning an Academy Award for Roman Holiday and receiving four more nominations–she always considered herself a dancer first. Partnering with Fred Astaire was a dream realized for her. “Everything that is said about Fred Astaire is wonderful and beautiful and true,” she said. In addition to the numbers with Astaire, Hepburn gets the opportunity to showcase her modern dance skill–performing solo in a Parisian nightclub.

Kay Thompson began her career as a vocal arranger at MGM, working with stars such as Lena Horne and Judy Garland, who became her best friend. In Funny Face, we see how Thompson and Garland influenced each other, especially in the “Clap Your Hands” number. Later, she achieved fame in another industry, as the author of the Eloise books for children. A true Renaissance woman, Thompson never got her due in any of the art forms in which she excelled.
Fashion is the central theme of Funny Face, and its fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy is almost synonymous with Audrey Hepburn. This movie is a prime example of why. With outfits designed for photo shoots and runways within the film, Funny Face spotlights the inherent cohesion of Givenchy’s powerful style with Hepburn’s natural modesty and grace.

Tony Bravo of the San Francisco Chronicle will be our featured co-host! He is the San Francisco Chronicle’s Arts & Culture Columnist. Bravo began his career at the Chronicle’s Style section where he covered fashion week, wrote about trends and styled original photoshoots. He has interviewed luminaries of the fashion world including Rodarte designers and “Black Swan” costumers Kate and Laura Mulleavy; Gap executive vice president and creative director Zac Posen: and film costume designer Jenny Beavan. Bravo is also an adjunct instructor at the City College of San Francisco Fashion Department, where he teaches journalism.

Movies at Mechanics' has welcomed film enthusiasts for classic cinema screenings and salons on Friday evenings for over 20 years. Join us for fresh popcorn, lively discourse, and your favorite films the first three Fridays of the month. Hosted by Lara Gabrielle, film writer and author of Captain of Her Soul: The Life of Marion Davies.