Saturday, October 16, 2010

Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and the Dawn of the Modern Woman

Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and the Dawn of the Modern Woman
By Sam Wasson
HarperStudio, 2010. 231 pgs. Nonfiction.

This is the story of the making of Breakfast at Tiffany's, an unusual and captivating film. Truman Capote wrote the original story which differs in substantial ways from the film version. Capote wanted Marilyn Monroe for the role of Holly Golightly--the role made famous by Audrey Hepburn. Sam Wasson explores the influences on Capote's story and the ways in which the story was adapted for Hollywood. Also how Audrey Hepburn came on board, the origin and impact of Audrey's little black dress, and the adventure of filming in Tiffany's." You might be surprised how Mickey Rooney came to be horrendously mis-cast as a Japanese neighbor. And how Mancini and Mercer came up with the Oscar-winning "Moon River." This sexy little book is well-written and cleverly put together (but a bit vulgar in spots).

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