Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1109293
1 1 2 P E R S P E C T I V E | M A Y / J U N E 2 0 1 9 RESHOOTS B Y N I K K I R U D L O F F, A S S O C I A T E E D I T O R Funny Face is a 1957 American musical romantic comedy film, directed by Stanley Donen and written by Leonard Gershe, containing assorted songs by George and Ira Gershwin. There is also a 1927 Broadway musical Funny Face by the Gershwin brothers, but the plot of the film version is drastically different from that of the Broadway musical, and only four of the songs remain. Astaire also starred in the stage version, alongside his sister, Adele Astaire. The film plot is actually adapted from another Broadway musical, Wedding Bells, by Leonard Gershe. The original title for the film was Wedding Day. The illustrated scene involves a comic dance duet to "Clap Yo' Hands," performed by Kay Thompson and Fred Astaire. The illustration is a graphite and opaque watercolor on paper mounted on illustration board. It is not signed, but has notation on the back crediting Ken Reid and dated April 18, 1956. The sketch is in the Production Design Collection at the Magaret Herrick Library and the credited Art Directors are Hal Pereira (also known for Sabrina and Vertigo) and George W. Davis (also known for All About Eve and The Seven Year Itch). The film received an Oscar nomination in 1958 for Best Art Direction–Set Decoration. The lower image is a still from the film with Thompson and Astaire. A. ILLUSTRATION OF PHILOSOPHER FLOSTRE'S HOME DURING A PARTY. COURTESY OF THE MARGARET HERRICK LIBRARY, A.M.P. A.S. B. A FRAME FROM THE 1957 MOVIE FUNNY FACE OF FLOSTRE'S PARTY WITH KAY THOMPSON AND FRED ASTAIRE. B A