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| name = Breakfast at Tiffany's |
| name = Breakfast at Tiffany's |
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| image = Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961 poster).jpg |
| image = Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961 poster).jpg |
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| caption = |
| caption = Theatrical release poster |
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| director = [[Blake Edwards]] |
| director = [[Blake Edwards]] |
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| screenplay = [[George Axelrod]] |
| screenplay = [[George Axelrod]] |
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| gross = $14 million |
| gross = $14 million |
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'''''Breakfast at Tiffany's''''' is a 1961 American [[romantic comedy]] film directed by [[Blake Edwards]] |
'''''Breakfast at Tiffany's''''' is a 1961 American [[romantic comedy]] film directed by [[Blake Edwards]] from a screenplay by [[George Axelrod]] and based on the [[Breakfast at Tiffany's (novella)|1958 novella of the same name]] by [[Truman Capote]]. It stars [[Audrey Hepburn]], [[George Peppard]], [[Patricia Neal]], [[Buddy Ebsen]], [[Martin Balsam]], and [[Mickey Rooney]]. In the film, Holly Golightly (Hepburn), a naïve, eccentric socialite meets Paul Varjak (Peppard), a struggling writer who moves into her apartment building. |
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Development for the film began soon after the publication of Capote's novel, with several actors, including [[Marilyn Monroe]], [[Shirley MacLaine]], [[Kim Novak]], [[Steve McQueen]], [[Jack Lemmon]], and [[Robert Wagner]], considered for the lead roles prior to Hepburn and Peppard being cast. The screenplay, which deviates from Capote's novella, was originally completed by Axelrod and director [[John Frankenheimer]], who was replaced by Edwards well into pre-production. [[Principal photography]] began on October 2, 1960, with filming taking place in [[New York City]] and at the Studios at Paramount in [[Hollywood, California]]. The film's music was composed by [[Henry Mancini]] and its theme song, "[[Moon River]]", was written by [[Johnny Mercer]]. |
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Nominated for five [[34th Academy Awards|Academy Awards]] (winning two), with the music (including "[[Moon River]]") nominated for six [[4th Annual Grammy Awards|Grammy Awards]] (winning five), the film was selected in 2012 for preservation in the United States [[National Film Registry]] by the [[Library of Congress]] as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant". |
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''Breakfast at Tiffany's'' was released in the United States on October 5, 1961, by [[Paramount Pictures]]. It grossed $14 million worldwide and received critical acclaim for its music and Hepburn's style and performance, being nominated for five [[34th Academy Awards|Academy Awards]], including [[Academy Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] for Hepburn, and winning two ([[Academy Award for Best Original Score|Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture]] and [[Academy Award for Best Original Song|Best Song]] for Mancini). The film also received [[Breakfast at Tiffany's (film)#Accolades|numerous other accolades]], although, Rooney's portrayal of [[I. Y. Yunioshi]] garnered significant subsequent controversy for being [[Portrayal of East Asians in American film and theater|racist]]. In 2012, the film was preserved in the U.S. [[National Film Registry]] by the [[Library of Congress]]. |
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==Plot== |
==Plot== |
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Fending off a date from the night before, Holly Golightly visits the [[Tiffany & Co. flagship store]] but her date finds her at her apartment building. Holly, who cannot find her keys, buzzes her landlord, Mr. Yunioshi, to let her in. Holly meets her new neighbor Paul Varjak as she readies to leave for her weekly visit to incarcerated mobster Sally Tomato. Tomato's lawyer pays her $100{{efn|$1000 in 2023<ref>{{cite web |title=Calculate the Value of $100 in 1960. How much is it worth today? |url=https://www.dollartimes.com/inflation/inflation.php?amount=100&year=1960 |access-date=December 27, 2023 |website=DollarTimes}}</ref>}} a week to deliver "the weather report". Holly meets Paul's "decorator" Emily Eustace Failenson, a wealthy older woman, whom Paul nicknames "2E". That night, when Holly crawls out onto the fire escape to elude an over-eager date, she sees 2E leaving Paul money and kissing him goodbye. |
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Just after dawn a taxi pulls up in front of the [[Tiffany & Co. flagship store]] in New York and from it emerges elegantly dressed Holly Golightly, carrying a paper bag containing her breakfast. After looking into the store's window displays, she strolls to her apartment and has to fend off her date from the night before. |
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Holly visits Paul and learns he is a writer who has not had anything published in five years, and has no ribbon in his typewriter. Holly explains she is saving money to support her brother, Fred, after he completes his Army service. The pair fall asleep but are awakened when Holly has a nightmare about Fred. When Paul questions her about this, Holly chides him for prying. Holly buys Paul a typewriter ribbon to apologize, and invites him to a party at her apartment. There, he meets her Hollywood agent, Berman, who describes Holly's transformation from a country girl into a Manhattan "socialite", along with wealthy Brazilian politician José da Silva Pereira and the wealthy American Rusty Trawler. |
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Once inside, Holly cannot find her keys, so she buzzes her landlord, Mr. Yunioshi, to let her in. Later, she is awakened by new neighbor Paul Varjak, who rings her doorbell to get into the building. The pair talk as she dresses to leave for her weekly visit to mobster Sally Tomato, currently incarcerated at Sing Sing. Tomato's lawyer pays her $100{{efn|$1000 in 2023<ref>{{cite web |title=Calculate the Value of $100 in 1960. How much is it worth today? |url=https://www.dollartimes.com/inflation/inflation.php?amount=100&year=1960 |access-date=December 27, 2023 |website=DollarTimes}}</ref>}} a week to deliver "the weather report". |
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Some time later, 2E enters Paul's apartment, worried about someone loitering outside the building. Paul confronts the man who explains he is Holly's husband, Doc Golightly. Doc informs him that Holly ran away and he has come to bring her back to rural Texas. After Paul reunites them, Holly informs Paul the marriage was annulled and she declines to return with Doc. After drinking at a club, Paul and Holly return to her apartment, where she tells him she plans to marry Trawler for his money. A few days later, Paul learns a short story inspired by Holly will be published. On the way to tell Holly, he sees a newspaper headline stating that Trawler has married someone else. |
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As she is leaving Holly is introduced to Paul's "decorator", a wealthy older woman Emily Eustace Failenson, whom Paul nicknames "2E". That night, when Holly crawls out onto the fire escape to elude an over-eager date, she peeks into Paul's apartment and sees 2E leaving money and kissing him goodbye. |
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Holly and Paul agree to spend the day together, taking turns doing things each has never done before. At Tiffany's, he has the ring from a box of [[Cracker Jack]] engraved as a present for her. After spending the night together, Paul awakens to find Holly gone. 2E arrives and calmly accepts when he ends their affair, realizing he loves Holly. Returning from a date with José, Holly learns Fred has been killed and trashes her apartment. |
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Visiting Paul afterward, she learns he is a writer who has not had anything published since a book of vignettes five years earlier, and has no ribbon in his typewriter. Holly, in turn, explains she is saving money to support her brother Fred after he completes his Army service. The pair fall asleep but are awakened when Holly has a nightmare about Fred. When Paul questions her about this, Holly chides him for prying. |
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Months later, Holly readies to move to Brazil and marry José but is arrested in connection to a drug ring run by Sally Tomato. Berman pays her bail and Paul picks her up in a cab with all her things, including Cat and a breakup letter from José. Holly decides to go to Brazil anyway, breaking bail, as Paul declares that he loves her. Resistant to being in a relationship, Holly chastises him and releases Cat into an alley. Paul storms out of the cab, leaving the engraved ring with Holly. After she puts it on, Holly runs back to the alley, where Paul is looking for Cat. After Holly finds Cat, she cradles it in her coat and, smiling, walks into Paul's embrace. |
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Holly later buys Paul a typewriter ribbon to apologize, and invites him to a wild party at her apartment. There he meets her Hollywood agent, Berman, who describes Holly's transformation from a country girl into a Manhattan "socialite", along with wealthy Brazilian politician José da Silva Pereira and Rusty Trawler, the "ninth richest man in America under 50". |
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Some time later, 2E enters Paul's apartment, worried about someone loitering outside the building. Paul confronts the man who explains he is Holly's husband, Doc Golightly. They married when she was 14, but she ran away, and he has come to bring her back to rural Texas. After Paul reunites Holly and Doc, she informs Paul that the marriage was annulled. At the Greyhound bus station, she tells Doc that he made a mistake in "trying to love a wild thing", and he leaves broken-hearted. |
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After drinking at a club, Paul and Holly return to her apartment, where she tells him that she plans to marry Trawler for his money. A few days later, Paul learns that one of his short stories will be published. On the way to tell Holly, he sees a newspaper headline stating that Trawler has married someone else. |
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Holly and Paul agree to spend the day together, taking turns doing things each has never done before. At Tiffany's, he has the ring from Doc Golightly's box of Cracker Jack engraved as a present for her. After spending the night together, Paul awakens to find Holly gone. 2E arrives and calmly accepts when he ends their affair, realizing he loves another. |
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Returning from a date with José, Holly learns her brother Fred has been killed. She trashes the apartment. Paul calms her and sends José in. |
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Months later, Holly is about to move to Brazil and marry José. She is arrested in connection with Sally Tomato's drug ring. The headlines are devastating. Berman pays her bail, and Paul picks her up in a cab with all her things, including Cat—and José's written farewell. Holly decides to go to Brazil anyway, breaking bail. Paul declares that he loves her, but she says no one will put her in a cage. She throws Cat out into an alley, into the pouring rain. Paul says that being in love is the only chance anybody has got for real happiness, and he storms out of the cab and tells her that she is already in a cage that she takes with her. He tosses the engraved ring into her lap and leaves. She puts it on, weeping, then runs back to the alley, where Paul is calling Cat. Tears blending with rain, Holly calls for Cat, in vain. Her eyes meet Paul's, and Cat yowls. She cradles him in her coat and, smiling, walks into Paul's embrace. |
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==Cast== |
==Cast== |
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[[File:Audrey Hepburn Tiffany's.jpg|thumb|[[Audrey Hepburn]] as Holly Golightly]] |
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<!--- Cast and order per opening tombstone credits ---> |
<!--- Cast and order per opening tombstone credits ---> |
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{{div col}} |
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{{Cast listing| |
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* [[Audrey Hepburn]] as Holly Golightly |
* [[Audrey Hepburn]] as Holly Golightly |
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* [[George Peppard]] as Paul Varjak |
* [[George Peppard]] as Paul Varjak |
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* [[Buddy Ebsen]] as Doc Golightly |
* [[Buddy Ebsen]] as Doc Golightly |
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* [[Martin Balsam]] as O.J. Berman |
* [[Martin Balsam]] as O.J. Berman |
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* [[Mickey Rooney]] as [[I. Y. Yunioshi|Mr. Yunioshi]] |
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* [[José Luis de Vilallonga]] as José da Silva Pereira (mononymously as Vilallonga) |
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* [[José Luis de Vilallonga]] as José da Silva Pereira |
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* [[John McGiver]] as Tiffany's salesman |
* [[John McGiver]] as Tiffany's salesman |
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* Dorothy Whitney as Mag Wildwood |
* Dorothy Whitney as Mag Wildwood |
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* Claude Stroud as Sid Arbuck |
* Claude Stroud as Sid Arbuck |
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* [[Orangey]] as Cat ([[Frank Inn]], trainer)<!--- Frank Inn is included onscreen as part of the Cat credit---> |
* [[Orangey]] as Cat ([[Frank Inn]], trainer)<!--- Frank Inn is included onscreen as part of the Cat credit---> |
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{{div col end}} |
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* [[Mickey Rooney]] as [[I. Y. Yunioshi|Mr. Yunioshi]] |
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}} |
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==Production== |
==Production== |
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===Development=== |
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The |
The screenplay was written by [[George Axelrod]], which is loosely based on the novel of the same name by [[Truman Capote]]. Changes were made to fit the medium of cinema and to correspond to the filmmakers' vision. Capote, who sold the novel's film rights to Paramount Studios, wanted [[Marilyn Monroe]] to play Holly Golightly: he considered Monroe to best reflect the character,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2009/sep/05/breakfast-at-tiffanys-audrey-hepburn|title=Breakfast at Tiffany's: When Audrey Hepburn won Marilyn Monroe's role|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=September 4, 2009|access-date=December 26, 2023}}</ref> with Axelrod was hired to "tailor" the screenplay to accomodate Monroe. Monroe declined the film, opting for ''[[The Misfits (1961 film)|The Misfits]]'' (1961), after theatre director [[Lee Strasberg]] advised her that playing a "lady of the evening" would be bad for her image. The role was then offered to [[Shirley MacLaine]], who turned it down in favor of starring in ''[[Two Loves]]'' (1961),<ref>{{cite news|last=Foerster|first=Jonathan|title=Shirley MacLaine isn't getting old, she's just advanced|date=9 February 2011|newspaper=[[Naples Daily News]]|url=http://archive.naplesnews.com/entertainment/shirley-maclaine-isnt-getting-old-shes-just-advanced-ep-392244535-334584291.html/|access-date=27 June 2017}}</ref> and [[Kim Novak]] also turned down the role.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/new-again-kim-novak|title = New Again: Kim Novak|magazine=[[Interview (magazine)|Interview]]|date = February 15, 2012}}</ref> |
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Capote was angry at the studio's eventual decision to cast Hepburn, remarking, "Paramount double-crossed me in every way and cast Audrey".<ref name="Paris">{{cite book|last=Paris|first=Barry|title=Audrey Hepburn|publisher=[[Berkley Books]]|year=1996|isbn=978-0399140563}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.vogue.com/article/audrey-hepburn-birthday-breakfast-at-tiffanys/ | title=Happy Birthday, Audrey Hepburn! 10 Things You Never Knew About _Breakfast at Tiffany'_s | date=May 4, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/breakfast-tiffanys-things/story?id=14666373|title='Breakfast at Tiffany's:' Five Things You Didn't Know|work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]|date=October 4, 2011|access-date=December 26, 2023}}</ref> Hepburn was hesitant to star in the film, citing difficulty playing an extroverted character.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1961/06/16/98540319.html?pageNumber=27 | title=AUDREY HEPBURN IS WARY ON ROLES; Director is More Vital to Star Than Movie's Script | newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/5-things-you-didnt-know-about-audrey-hepburn|title=5 Things You Didn't Know About Audrey Hepburn|magazine=[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]]|date=October 1, 2016|access-date=December 26, 2023}}</ref> [[Steve McQueen]] was offered the role of Paul Varjak, but declined the offer due to being under contract with [[United Artists]],<ref>[https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/73079/18-hearty-facts-about-breakfast-tiffanys 18 Hearty Facts About 'Breakfast at Tiffany's']</ref> and [[Jack Lemmon]] was also approached, but was unavailable. [[Robert Wagner]] was also considered.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/22674/ | title=Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) |website=[[AFI Catalog of Feature Films]]}}</ref> The film's original director, [[John Frankenheimer]], worked with Axelrod for three months on the project before he was replaced by Edwards after Hepburn's agent requested a higher-profile director.<ref>Wasson, Sam ''Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.: Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's'' Aurum Press, 25 Sep 2011</ref> |
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Axelrod worked with the original director of the film [[John Frankenheimer]] for a period of three months, but Hepburn's agent wanted a better known director, with the result that Frankenheimer was removed from the project.<ref>Wasson, Sam ''Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.: Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's'' Aurum Press, 25 Sep 2011</ref> |
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===Filming=== |
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[[File:Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's.jpg|thumb|left|Hepburn |
[[File:Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's.jpg|thumb|left|Hepburn outside the [[Tiffany & Co. flagship store]] during the film's opening sequence.]] |
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Filming began on Fifth Avenue outside the Tiffany & Co. flagship store on October 2, 1960.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gristwood|first=Sarah|title=Breakfast at Tiffany's: 50 Years On|work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|date=30 September 2010|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/classic-movies/8032801/Breakfast-at-Tiffanys-50-years-on.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/classic-movies/8032801/Breakfast-at-Tiffanys-50-years-on.html |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Most of the exteriors were filmed in [[New York City]], and all of the interiors, except for portions |
Filming began on Fifth Avenue outside the [[Tiffany & Co. flagship store]] on October 2, 1960.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gristwood|first=Sarah|title=Breakfast at Tiffany's: 50 Years On|work=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]|date=30 September 2010|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/classic-movies/8032801/Breakfast-at-Tiffanys-50-years-on.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/classic-movies/8032801/Breakfast-at-Tiffanys-50-years-on.html |archive-date=January 12, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Most of the exteriors were filmed in [[New York City]], and all of the interiors, except for portions set inside Tiffany & Co., were filmed on the [[Paramount Studios lot]] in Hollywood.<ref>{{cite web | url =https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054698/locations?ref_=ttfc_ql_5 | title =Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961): Filming and Production | website =imdb.com | access-date =2019-12-03}}</ref> |
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According to one report, the film's on-location opening sequence |
According to one report, the film's on-location opening sequence outside Tiffany & Co. was extremely difficult to shoot, due to issues related to crowd control, Hepburn's dislike of pastries, and an accident that nearly resulted in the [[electric shock|electrocution]] of a crew member. However, another report claims the sequence was captured rather quickly, owing to an unexpected lull in city traffic.<ref>[http://www.moviefone.com/2011/10/05/25-things-breakfast-at-tiffanys-anniversary/ 25 Things You May Not Know About 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160628205704/http://www.moviefone.com/2011/10/05/25-things-breakfast-at-tiffanys-anniversary/ |date=June 28, 2016 }} at moviefone.com, 5 Oct 2011</ref> |
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===Music=== |
===Music=== |
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{{main|Breakfast at Tiffany's: Music from the Motion Picture}} |
{{main|Breakfast at Tiffany's: Music from the Motion Picture}} |
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{{quote box |width =33%| quote = It took me |
{{quote box |width =33%| quote = It took me time to figure out what Holly Golightly was all about. I don't drink much, but I was sipping and it came to me one night. I wrote [the song] in half an hour.|source=Henry Mancini on writing "[[Moon River]]".<ref name="timemusic" />}} |
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During the film, Hepburn sang the film's signature song, "[[Moon River]]" by [[Henry Mancini]] and [[Johnny Mercer]]. The song was tailored to Hepburn's limited vocal range |
During the film, Hepburn sang the film's signature song, "[[Moon River]]", written by [[Henry Mancini]] and [[Johnny Mercer]]. The song was tailored to Hepburn's limited vocal range and its sequencing was inspired by songs she performed in ''[[Funny Face]]'' (1957).{{sfn|Spoto|2006|pp=204–05}} On the Anniversary Edition home media release featuring [[audio commentary]] by co-producer [[Dick Shepherd]], he stated that after the film's test preview in [[San Francisco]], Martin Rankin, Paramount's head of production, wanted "Moon River" replaced with music sung by somebody else. Shepherd claimed he and Marty Jurow refused to replace it – a response attributed to Hepburn herself in another account.<ref>{{cite book| last1=Erwin | first1=Ellen |last2=Diamond | first2=Jessica Z. | title= The Audrey Hepburn Treasures| location=New York | publisher=[[Atria Books]]|date=October 2006| page=107 | isbn=978-0-7432-8986-3}}</ref><ref>{{Cite AV media |people=Shepherd, Richard |title= Breakfast at Tiffany's – Anniversary Edition/Centennial Edition [[audio commentary]] |medium= DVD |publisher= Paramount |time= 25:20}}</ref> |
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According to ''Time'' |
According to ''Time'', Mancini "sets off [the] melodies with a walking bass, extends them with choral and string variations and varies them with the brisk sounds of [[jazz combo|combo jazz]]. "Moon River" is sobbed by a plaintive harmonica, repeated by strings, hummed and then sung by the chorus and finally resolved with the harmonica."<ref name="timemusic">{{cite magazine| url= http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,896253,00.html | archive-url= https://archive.today/20130204090906/http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,896253,00.html | url-status= dead | archive-date= February 4, 2013 | title= Movies: Never Too Much Music| date= May 25, 1962 | magazine= [[Time (magazine)|Time]] | access-date=October 3, 2010}}</ref> The soundtrack featured a score composed and conducted by Mancini, with several unreleased musical compositions not featuring in the final film. One piece, "Carousel Cue", appears in a deleted scene, while another piece titled "Outtake 1" also appears in a deleted scene. In 2013, [[Intrada Records]] released the complete score in its original film performance: as with many soundtrack albums from the time period, the album initially released alongside the film was a re-recording. |
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==Release== |
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The soundtrack featured a score composed and conducted by [[Henry Mancini]], with songs by Mancini and lyricist Johnny Mercer. Mancini and Mercer won the 1961 Oscar for [[Academy Award for Best Original Song|Best Original Song]] for "Moon River". Mancini won for [[Academy Award for Best Original Score|Best Original Score]]. There are also unreleased score pieces from ''Breakfast at Tiffany's'' in existence; "Carousel Cue" is from an unsurfaced scene, while "Outtake 1" is from a deleted scene in which Holly and Paul visit Tiffany's and is a variation of the main theme. In 2013 [[Intrada Records|Intrada]] released the complete score in its original film performance (as with many soundtrack albums by Mancini and others at the time, the album released alongside the film was a re-recording). |
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''Breakfast at Tiffany's'' was theatrically released by [[Paramount Pictures]] on October 5, 1961. |
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===Home media=== |
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The film was first released on [[home media]] in the 1980s, on [[VHS]] and DVD, and was one of the first films featuring Hepburn released on home video. On February 7, 2006, a 45th anniversary special edition DVD was released in North America, containing featurettes not included on the prior releases. These included a photo gallery, the film's theatrical trailer, a history featurette on Tiffany & Co., audio commentary by producer [[Dick Shepherd|Richard Shepherd]], a making-of featurette with interviews from Edwards and Neal, and a tribute to Hepburn, which contained a letter written by Hepburn to Tiffany & Co. for their 150th anniversary in 1987. |
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[[File:Ontario Theatre Ad - 20 October 1961, NW, Washington, D.C.png|thumb|170px|Theatrical advertisement from 1961]] |
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''Breakfast at Tiffany's'' was theatrically released by [[Paramount Pictures]] on October 5, 1961, to critical and commercial success, grossing $14 million on a $2.5 million budget.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/variety-1962-01/page/n76/mode/1up?q=%22back+street%22+%22ross+hunter%22|magazine=Variety|title=1961 Rentals and Potential|date=10 Jan 1961|page=13}}</ref> Hepburn's portrayal of Holly Golightly is generally considered to be one of her most memorable and identifiable roles. She regarded it as one of her most challenging roles, since she was an [[introvert]] required to play an [[extrovert]].{{sfn|Spoto|2006|pp=204–05}} |
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On January 13, 2009, a remastered Centennial Collection version of the film was released, which added several new featurettes, including interviews by the cast, a documentary discussing the controversy regarding Rooney's portrayal of I.Y. Yunioshi, an interactive tour of the Paramount Studios lot where filming took place, and a tribute to Mancini. On June 29, 2011, the film was [[Film preservation#Digital Film Preservation|digitally restored]] in high-definition and released on Blu-ray to commemorate its 50th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Breakfast-at-Tiffanys-Blu-ray/21311/|title=Breakfast at Tiffany's Blu-ray}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/2011/20110629.html|title=Latest Academy News|date=September 10, 2014}}</ref> |
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The film received five nominations at the [[34th Academy Awards]]; [[Academy Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] (for Hepburn), [[Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay|Best Adapted Screenplay]], [[Academy Award for Best Production Design|Best Production Design]], winning [[Academy Award for Best Original Score|Best Original Score]] and [[Academy Award for Best Original Song|Best Original Song]] for "[[Moon River]]". It was considered "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant by the [[U.S. Library of Congress]] and selected to be preserved in the [[National Film Registry]] in 2012.<ref>King, Susan. [http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-national-film-registry-20121217,0,1057524.story "National Film Registry selects 25 films for preservation "] ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' (December 19, 2012)</ref> |
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==Reception== |
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On [[review aggregator]] [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film has an approval rating of 88% based on 56 reviews, with an average score of 7.50/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "It contains some ugly anachronisms, but Blake Edwards is at his funniest in this iconic classic, and Audrey Hepburn absolutely lights up the screen."<ref>{{Rotten Tomatoes|breakfast_at_tiffanys|Breakfast at Tiffany's}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a weighted average score of 77 out of 100 based on 13 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref>{{Citation |title=Breakfast at Tiffany's Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/breakfast-at-tiffanys |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=2022-03-19}}</ref> |
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===Box office=== |
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''Breakfast at Tiffany's'' was a commercial success, grossing $14 million on a $2.5 million budget.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/variety-1962-01/page/n76/mode/1up?q=%22back+street%22+%22ross+hunter%22|magazine=Variety|title=1961 Rentals and Potential|date=10 Jan 1961|page=13}}</ref> The film was screened at [[Radio City Music Hall]] before its theatrical release, where ''Variety'' called it "a bright box office contender".<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Breakfast at Tiffany's|magazine=Variety|url=https://archive.org/details/variety-1961-10/page/n94/mode/1up?|page=7|date=11 October 1961}}</ref> |
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===Critical response=== |
===Critical response=== |
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[[File:Audrey Hepburn - Studio Portrait (1957).png|thumb|left|upright|[[Audrey Hepburn]]'s performance received critical acclaim, earning her a nomination for the [[Academy Award for Best Actress]].]] |
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''Variety'' called it "a bright b.o. contender".<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Breakfast at Tiffany's|magazine=Variety|url=https://archive.org/details/variety-1961-10/page/n94/mode/1up?|page=7|date=11 October 1961}}</ref> |
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On the [[review aggregator]] website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], 88% of 56 critics' reviews are positive, with an average score of 7.5/10. The website's consensus reads, "It contains some ugly anachronisms, but Blake Edwards is at his funniest in this iconic classic, and Audrey Hepburn absolutely lights up the screen."<ref>{{Rotten Tomatoes|breakfast_at_tiffanys|Breakfast at Tiffany's}}</ref> [[Metacritic]], which uses a [[weighted average]], assigned the film a score of 77 out of 100, based on 13 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref>{{Citation |title=Breakfast at Tiffany's Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/breakfast-at-tiffanys |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=2022-03-19}}</ref> |
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''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine noted " |
''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' magazine noted "[Hepburn's portrayal] is not much different from Capote's [character]. She has kicked the weed but she is still jolly Holly who runs away to find some of the finer things of life." It also pointed out the differences to Capote's novella, stating "after that out-of-Capote beginning, Edwards goes on to an out-of-character end."<ref>{{cite magazine| url= http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,872844,00.html | archive-url= https://archive.today/20120915044813/http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,872844,00.html | url-status= dead | archive-date= September 15, 2012 | title= Cinema: Once Over Golightly| date= October 20, 1961 | magazine= [[Time (magazine)|Time]] | access-date=October 3, 2010}}</ref> Hepburn's performance received rave reviews, with it considered to be one of her most memorable and identifiable roles.{{sfn|Spoto|2006|pp=204–05}} Almost a half century later, Richard Corliss of ''Time'' emphasized the level of Hepburn's performance, stating, "''Breakfast at Tiffany's'' set Hepburn on her Hollywood course" and argued her performance in the film influenced her later roles.<ref>{{cite magazine| url= http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1580936-2,00.html| title= Audrey Hepburn: Still the Fairest Lady | date= January 20, 2007| last=Corliss | first= Richard | author-link= Richard Corliss |magazine= [[Time (magazine)|Time]] | access-date=October 3, 2010}}</ref> |
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Tinee Mae of the ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' also gave a positive review, saying, "In the wrong hands, the unconventional, disorganized, sophisticated, innocent, utterly contradictory [lead] character could be a tiresome idiot. Audrey makes her as sweet as she is silly, as appealing as she is affected, a playgirl without scruples, a moth who doesn't quite deserve to die in a flame." Mae also praised the "slick" and "perceptive" screenplay and the "fine" supporting cast, singling out Peppard, Ebsen, Balsam and Rooney.<ref>Tinee, Mae. "A Slick Script and Fine Cast in This Film." Chicago Tribune, 20 October 1961, B11.</ref> Henry T. Murdock of the ''[[Philadelphia Inquirer]]'' said: "''Breakfast at Tiffany's'' shines like a gem. Much of the iridescence comes from the richly impulsive performance by Hepburn as the scatterbrained, pathetic, fiercely independent lead. [Peppard] plays with understanding. Ebsen appears briefly, but to good effect [and] Rooney is too slapstick as the Japanese photographer. Edwards keeps things moving with a lilt."<ref> Murdock, Henry T. "Audrey Hepburn Stars in Role of Party Girl." Philadelphia Inquirer, 28 October 1961, 15.</ref> The film helped rejuvenate Ebsen's career, as it helped him land the role as [[Jed Clampett]] on ''[[The Beverly Hillbillies]]'' (1962–1971).<ref>{{IMDb name|0001171|Buddy Ebsen|section=bio}}</ref> |
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{{blockquote|''Breakfast at Tiffany's'' set Hepburn on her [19]60s Hollywood course. Holly Golightly, small-town Southern girl turned Manhattan trickster, was the naughty American cousin of [[Eliza Doolittle]], Cockney flower girl turned ''[[My Fair Lady]]''. Holly was also the prototype for the Hepburn women in ''[[Charade (1963 film)|Charade]]'', ''[[Paris When It Sizzles]]'', and ''[[How to Steal a Million]]'': kooks in [[caper story|capers]]. And she prepared audiences for the ground-level anxieties that Hepburn characters endured in ''[[The Children's Hour (film)|The Children's Hour]]'', ''[[Two for the Road (1967 film)|Two for the Road]]'' and ''[[Wait Until Dark (film)|Wait Until Dark]]''.}} |
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A.H. Weiler of ''[[The New York Times]]'' called the film a "completely unbelievable but wholly captivating flight into fancy composed of unequal dollops of comedy, romance, poignancy, funny colloquialisms and Manhattan's swankiest [[East Side (Manhattan)|East Side]] areas captured in the loveliest of colors". Weiler called Hepburn "a genuinely charming, elfin waif who will be believed and adored when seen" and further praised the performances of Peppard, Balsam, Rooney, Neal and Ebsen.<ref name="nyt1961">{{cite news| last=Weiler | first= A.H.| title= The Screen: ''Breakfast at Tiffany's'': Audrey Hepburn Stars in Music Hall Comedy| url= https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9A05EED9173AE13ABC4E53DFB667838A679EDE| date= October 6, 1961 |newspaper= [[The New York Times]] | access-date=2010-10-03}}</ref> Capote infamously disliked Hepburn's performance, while his biographer, [[Gerald Clarke (author)|Gerald Clarke]], characterized the film as a "valentine to free-spirited women, [not] a cautionary tale about a little girl lost in the big city". He later labelled the film "a sugar and spice confection."<ref>{{cite web|title=Capote never liked Hepburn in iconic role|url=http://www.today.com/id/27841277/ns/today-today_entertainment/t/capote-never-liked-hepburn-iconic-role/|website=Today.com|publisher=Associated Press|access-date=10 November 2014|archive-date=July 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730024104/http://www.today.com/id/27841277/ns/today-today_entertainment/t/capote-never-liked-hepburn-iconic-role/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In later years, [[American Film Institute]] ranked the film No. 61 in [[AFI's 100 Years ... 100 Passions|100 Years ... 100 Passions]] and "Moon River" as No. 4 in [[AFI's 100 Years ... 100 Songs|100 Years ... 100 Songs]]. The film was also ranked No. 486 on ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]''{{'}}s [[Empire (magazine)#Current List, The 500 Greatest Movies of All Time|The 500 Greatest Movies of All Time]] list.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.empireonline.com/500/3.asp |title=Empire: Features |publisher=Empireonline.com |access-date=2009-05-16}}</ref> |
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The ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' review was positive: "In the wrong hands, the unconventional, disorganized, sophisticated, innocent, utterly contradictory character created by Truman Capote could be a tiresome idiot. Audrey makes her as sweet as she is silly, as appealing as she is affected, a playgirl without scruples, a moth who doesn't quite deserve to die in a flame. While Audrey is gifted, she also has everything to work with, including a perceptive, slick script and a fine supporting cast. George Peppard is just right....Buddy Ebsen gives a moving performance...and Martin Balsam as a typical agent is hilarious. Mickey Rooney adds to the fun as a toothy Japanese."<ref>Tinee, Mae. "A Slick Script and Fine Cast in This Film." Chicago Tribune, 20 October 1961, B11.</ref> |
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===Accolades=== |
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The ''[[Philadelphia Inquirer]]'' reviewer was complimentary overall as well: "''Breakfast at Tiffany's'' shines like a gem from that famed institution....much of the iridescence comes from the richly impulsive {{sic|?|performace}} of Audrey Hepburn as the scatterbrained, now pathetic, now fiercely independent peri of Truman Capote's novella....[George Peppard's role] is played with understanding....Buddy Ebsen appears briefly, but to good effect....Mickey Rooney is too slapstick as the Japanese photographer disturbed by Holly's antics. Director Blake Edwards keeps things moving with a lilt."<ref> Murdock, Henry T. "Audrey Hepburn Stars in Role of Party Girl." Philadelphia Inquirer, 28 October 1961, 15.</ref> |
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It premiered at the [[Radio City Music Hall]], and ''[[The New York Times]]'' called the film a "completely unbelievable but wholly captivating flight into fancy composed of unequal dollops of comedy, romance, poignancy, funny colloquialisms and Manhattan's swankiest [[East Side (Manhattan)|East Side]] areas captured in the loveliest of colors". In reviewing the performances, the newspaper said Holly Golightly is |
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{{blockquote|as implausible as ever. But in the person of Miss Hepburn, she is a genuinely charming, elfin waif who will be believed and adored when seen. George Peppard is casual and, for the most part, a subdued citizen who seems to like observing better than participating in the proceedings. Martin Balsam makes a properly brash, snappy Hollywood agent. Mickey Rooney's bucktoothed, myopic Japanese is broadly exotic. Patricia Neal is simply cool and brisk in her few appearances as Mr. Peppard's sponsor and Vilallonga, is properly suave and Continental as Miss Hepburn's Brazilian, while Buddy Ebsen has a brief poignant moment as Miss Hepburn's husband.<ref name="nyt1961">{{cite news| last=Weiler | first= A.H.| title= The Screen: ''Breakfast at Tiffany's'': Audrey Hepburn Stars in Music Hall Comedy| url= https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9A05EED9173AE13ABC4E53DFB667838A679EDE| date= October 6, 1961 |newspaper= [[The New York Times]] | access-date=2010-10-03}}</ref>}} |
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Truman Capote hated Hepburn in the lead part. Capote biographer [[Gerald Clarke (author)|Gerald Clarke]] deemed the film a "valentine" to free-spirited women rather than a cautionary tale about a little girl lost in the big city. "The movie is a confection — a sugar and spice confection."<ref>{{cite web|title=Capote never liked Hepburn in iconic role|url=http://www.today.com/id/27841277/ns/today-today_entertainment/t/capote-never-liked-hepburn-iconic-role/|website=Today.com|publisher=Associated Press|access-date=10 November 2014|archive-date=July 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730024104/http://www.today.com/id/27841277/ns/today-today_entertainment/t/capote-never-liked-hepburn-iconic-role/|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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===Awards and nominations=== |
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{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
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|- |
|- |
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| {{won|Inducted}} |
| {{won|Inducted}} |
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| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/complete-national-film-registry-listing/ |title=Complete National Film Registry Listing |website=[[Library of Congress]] |access-date=August 11, 2023}}</ref> |
| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.loc.gov/programs/national-film-preservation-board/film-registry/complete-national-film-registry-listing/ |title=Complete National Film Registry Listing |website=[[Library of Congress]] |access-date=August 11, 2023}}</ref> |
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|- |
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| Online Film & Television Association Awards |
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| colspan="2"| Film Hall of Fame: Productions |
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| {{won|Inducted}} |
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| align="center"| <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.oftaawards.com/film-hall-of-fame/film-hall-of-fame-productions/ |title=Film Hall of Fame: Productions |publisher=Online Film & Television Association |access-date=August 11, 2023}}</ref> |
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|- |
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| [[PATSY Award#1962|PATSY Awards]] |
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| The poor slob without a name {{citation needed|date=December 2017}} |
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| [[Orangey]] |
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| {{won}} |
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| align="center"| |
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|- |
|- |
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| [[16th Satellite Awards|Satellite Awards]] |
| [[16th Satellite Awards|Satellite Awards]] |
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==Influence== |
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* [[American Film Institute]] ranked the film No. 61 in [[AFI's 100 Years ... 100 Passions|100 Years ... 100 Passions]] and "Moon River" as No. 4 in [[AFI's 100 Years ... 100 Songs|100 Years ... 100 Songs]]. |
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* The film was ranked No. 486 on ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]''{{'}}s [[Empire (magazine)#Current List, The 500 Greatest Movies of All Time|The 500 Greatest Movies of All Time]] list for 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.empireonline.com/500/3.asp |title=Empire: Features |publisher=Empireonline.com |access-date=2009-05-16}}</ref> |
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===Influence=== |
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[[File:Audrey Hepburn Tiffany's 4.jpg|thumb|[[Audrey Hepburn]] as Holly Golightly in the film's trailer]] |
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Hepburn as Holly, with her hair in a high [[chignon (hairstyle)|chignon]] and carrying an oversized [[cigarette holder]], is considered one of the most iconic images of 20th century [[Cinema of the United States|American cinema]].{{sfn|Spoto|2006|p=203}} Another iconic item throughout the movie is Holly's sunglasses. Often misidentified as [[Ray-Ban]], they are Manhattan sunglasses designed and manufactured in London by [[Oliver Goldsmith (company)|Oliver Goldsmith]]. In 2011 the model was re-released to mark the 50th anniversary of ''Breakfast at Tiffany's''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.eye-wear-glasses.com/2011/07/re-released-manhattan-sunglasses-mark.html | title=Re-released Manhattan sunglasses mark 50th anniversary of ''Breakfast at Tiffany's'' | first=Rob | last=Moss | date=28 July 2011 | publisher=Eye Wear Glasses | access-date=19 April 2016}}</ref> One of three dresses designed by [[Givenchy]] for Hepburn for possible use in the film sold at auction by Christie's<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.christies.com/Lotfinder/lot_details.aspx?sid=&intObjectID=4832498&AllObjectIDs=&SRObjectID=&AllSaleIDs=&SRSaleID=&RefineQueryURL= | title=Audrey Hepburn ''Breakfast At Tiffany's'', 1961 | publisher=Christie's | date=5 December 2006 | access-date=19 April 2016}}</ref> on December 5, 2006, for £467,200 (~US$947,000), about seven times the reserve price.<ref>{{cite news | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6209658.stm | title= Auction frenzy over Hepburn dress | work= BBC News | date=2006-12-05}}</ref> The [[Black Givenchy dress of Audrey Hepburn|"Little Black Dress" by Givenchy]], worn by Hepburn in the beginning of the film, is cited as one of the most iconic items of clothing in the history of the twentieth century and is, perhaps, the most famous [[little black dress]] of all time.<ref name="Glam">{{cite web | url=http://www.glamour.com/fashion/2007/04/famous-dresses#slide=3 | title=The Most Famous Dresses Ever | publisher=Glamour.com | date=April 2007 | access-date=16 May 2011 | archive-date=March 4, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063542/http://www.glamour.com/fashion/2007/04/famous-dresses#slide=3 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="HM">{{cite magazine | url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/2006/12/06/audrey-hepburn-dress/ | title=Audrey Hepburn dress | magazine=[[Hello Magazine]] | date=6 December 2006}}</ref><ref name="Independent">{{cite web | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/news/audrey-hepburns-little-black-dress-tops-fashion-list-1984507.html | title=Audrey Hepburn's little black dress tops fashion list | work=[[The Independent]] | date=17 May 2010 | access-date=16 May 2011}}</ref><ref name="Steele2010">{{cite book | last=Steele | first=Valerie | title=The Berg Companion to Fashion | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hemsvn9ZbRkC&pg=PA483 | access-date=16 May 2011 | date=9 November 2010 | publisher=Berg Publishers | isbn=978-1-84788-592-0 | page=483}}</ref> A second "little black dress" in ''Breakfast at Tiffany's'', along with its wide-brimmed hat, was worn by Hepburn as Holly when she goes to visit mobster Sally Tomato at Sing Sing Prison. This dress was paid homage as one of the dresses worn by Anne Hathaway's character Selina Kyle, [[Catwoman]]'s alter ego, in [[Christopher Nolan]]'s ''[[The Dark Knight Rises]]''; the comic book Catwoman drawn by artist Adam Hughes, was based on Hepburn, creating a double homage to Hepburn's Holly Golightly in Hathaway's Catwoman.<ref>{{cite book|last=Miller|first=Jacqui|title=Fan Phenomena: Audrey Hepburn|location=Chicago|publisher=University of Chicago Press|year=2014|pages=26–7|isbn=978-1-78320-206-5}}</ref> |
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The film rejuvenated the career of 1930s movie song-and-dance man [[Buddy Ebsen]], who had a small but effective role in this film as Doc Golightly, Holly's ex-husband. His success here led directly to his best-known role as [[Jed Clampett]] on ''[[The Beverly Hillbillies]]''.<ref>{{IMDb name|0001171|Buddy Ebsen|section=bio}}</ref> |
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A diamond necklace at Tiffany's that Hepburn scorned as too flashy was the [[Tiffany Yellow Diamond]], which she wore in publicity photos for the film. Tiffany's profile as a pre-eminent luxury retailer, while already established, was further boosted by the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1000thingsnyc.com/tiffany/|title=#204: Tiffany & Co. and its priceless Yellow Diamond – 1000 Things to do New York|date=October 1, 2014}}</ref> |
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===Portrayal of Mr. Yunioshi and later yellowface controversy=== |
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[[File:Starring Mickey Rooney.jpg|300px|right|thumb|Mickey Rooney as I. Y. Yunioshi]]{{main|I. Y. Yunioshi}} |
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For his portrayal of I. Y. Yunioshi, [[Mickey Rooney]] wore makeup and a prosthetic mouthpiece to change his features to a caricatured approximation of a Japanese man. Since the 1990s, this portrayal has been subject to increasing protest by [[Asian Americans]], among others. For instance, in the film ''[[Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story]]'' (1993), ''Breakfast at Tiffany's'' is used as an illustration of Hollywood's [[racist]] depiction of Asian people when [[Bruce Lee]] and his future wife, Linda, see the film and Linda suggests they leave when she notices that Bruce is upset at Rooney's caricatured performance.<ref>Morris, M. (2007). Learning from Bruce Lee: Pedagogy and Political Correctness in Martial Arts Cinema.". The Worlding Project: Doing Cultural Studies in the Era of Globalization, 49–56.</ref> |
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In his audio commentary for the DVD release, producer Richard Shepherd said that at the time of production as well as in retrospect, he wanted to recast the role "not because he [Rooney] didn't play the part well" but because Shepherd thought the part of Mr. Yunioshi should be performed by an actor of [[Japanese people|Japanese ethnicity]]; it was director Blake Edwards' decision to keep Rooney.<ref>{{Cite AV media |people=Shepherd, Richard |title= Breakfast at Tiffany's – Anniversary Edition/Centennial Edition [[audio commentary]] |medium= DVD |publisher= Paramount |time= 3:43}}</ref> In a "[[making-of]]" for the 45th anniversary edition DVD release, Shepherd repeatedly apologizes, saying, "If we could just change Mickey Rooney, I'd be thrilled with the movie."<ref name="makingof">Breakfast at Tiffany's: The Making of a Classic</ref> Director Blake Edwards stated, "Looking back, I wish I had never done it ... and I would give anything to be able to recast it, but it's there, and onward and upward."<ref name="makingof" /> |
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In a 2008 interview about the film, 87-year-old Rooney said he was heartbroken about the criticism: |
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{{blockquote|It breaks my heart. Blake Edwards ... wanted me to do it because he was a comedy director. They hired me to do this overboard, and we had fun doing it ... Never in all the more than 40 years after we made it — not one complaint. Every place I've gone in the world people say, "God, you were so funny." Asians and Chinese come up to me and say, "Mickey you were out of this world."<ref name="scripps08">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205110909/http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/35779 |archive-date=December 5, 2008 |url=http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/35779 |title= Mickey Rooney upset about claims his 'Tiffany's' role is racist |last=Magagnini| first=Stephen |date=September 28, 2008|work= [[Sacramento Bee]] | publisher=[[Scripps Howard News Service]] |access-date=2010-10-03}}</ref>}} |
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Rooney also said that if he had known the portrayal would have offended people so much, "I wouldn't have done it. Those that didn't like it, I forgive them and God bless America, God bless the universe, God bless Japanese, Chinese, Indians, all of them and let's have peace."<ref name="scripps08" /> |
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The image of Hepburn with her hair in a high [[chignon (hairstyle)|chignon]] and carrying an oversized [[cigarette holder]] is considered one of the most iconic images of 20th century [[Cinema of the United States|American cinema]].{{sfn|Spoto|2006|p=203}} The sunglasses worn by Hepburn, another popular item, were designed and manufactured in London by [[Oliver Goldsmith (company)|Oliver Goldsmith]]. In 2011, the sunglasses were re-released to mark the film's 50th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.eye-wear-glasses.com/2011/07/re-released-manhattan-sunglasses-mark.html | title=Re-released Manhattan sunglasses mark 50th anniversary of ''Breakfast at Tiffany's'' | first=Rob | last=Moss | date=28 July 2011 | publisher=Eye Wear Glasses | access-date=19 April 2016}}</ref> One of three dresses designed by [[Givenchy]] for Hepburn to use in the film sold at auction by Christie's on December 5, 2006, for £467,200 (~US$947,000), about seven times the reserve price.<ref>{{cite news | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6209658.stm | title= Auction frenzy over Hepburn dress | work= BBC News | date=2006-12-05}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.christies.com/Lotfinder/lot_details.aspx?sid=&intObjectID=4832498&AllObjectIDs=&SRObjectID=&AllSaleIDs=&SRSaleID=&RefineQueryURL= | title=Audrey Hepburn ''Breakfast At Tiffany's'', 1961 | publisher=Christie's | date=5 December 2006 | access-date=19 April 2016}}</ref> |
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The film continues to draw criticism for this character, now widely considered to be a racist caricature, particularly when the movie is selected as a "classic" screened in public spaces, supported by tax dollars. In 2011, a [[SyFy]] and Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation screening inspired petitions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/13/brooklyn-breakfast-at-tiffanys_n_897557.html|title='Breakfast At Tiffany's' Brooklyn Screening Sparks Protests From Asian-American Group|date=July 13, 2011|via=Huff Post}}</ref> |
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The [[Black Givenchy dress of Audrey Hepburn|little black dress]] designed by Givenchy and worn by Hepburn is cited as one of the most iconic clothing items of the twentieth century and was described by ''[[Glamour (magazine)|Glamour]]'' as the most famous [[little black dress]] of all time.<ref name="Glam">{{cite web | url=http://www.glamour.com/fashion/2007/04/famous-dresses#slide=3 | title=The Most Famous Dresses Ever | publisher=Glamour.com | date=April 2007 | access-date=16 May 2011 | archive-date=March 4, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304063542/http://www.glamour.com/fashion/2007/04/famous-dresses#slide=3 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="HM">{{cite magazine | url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/2006/12/06/audrey-hepburn-dress/ | title=Audrey Hepburn dress | magazine=[[Hello Magazine]] | date=6 December 2006}}</ref><ref name="Independent">{{cite web | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/news/audrey-hepburns-little-black-dress-tops-fashion-list-1984507.html | title=Audrey Hepburn's little black dress tops fashion list | work=[[The Independent]] | date=17 May 2010 | access-date=16 May 2011}}</ref><ref name="Steele2010">{{cite book | last=Steele | first=Valerie | title=The Berg Companion to Fashion | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hemsvn9ZbRkC&pg=PA483 | access-date=16 May 2011 | date=9 November 2010 | publisher=Berg Publishers | isbn=978-1-84788-592-0 | page=483}}</ref> A second little black dress by Givenchy, which was styled with a wide-brimmed hat, influenced the comic book design for [[Catwoman]] by artist Adam Hughes and later inspired the costume for the character in ''[[The Dark Knight Rises]]'' (2008).<ref>{{cite book|last=Miller|first=Jacqui|title=Fan Phenomena: Audrey Hepburn|location=Chicago|publisher=University of Chicago Press|year=2014|pages=26–7|isbn=978-1-78320-206-5}}</ref> |
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Film historian and [[Turner Classic Movies]] host [[Robert Osborne]] stated in a Q&A that he would recast Rooney from the picture saying, "that was such a racial slur, out of nowhere, and I blame Blake Edwards for that decision, the caricature was totally embarrassing".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thefilmsinmylife.com/2015/11/robert-osborne-recasts-breakfast-at.html?m=1|title= Robert Osborne recasts Breakfast at Tiffany's|website= thefilmsinmylife|access-date= April 13, 2020}}</ref> |
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A diamond necklace at Tiffany's that Hepburn's character scorns as too flashy was the [[Tiffany Yellow Diamond]], which Hepburn wore in publicity photos for the film. Tiffany and Co.'s established profile as a pre-eminent luxury retailer was further boosted by the popularity of the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1000thingsnyc.com/tiffany/|title=#204: Tiffany & Co. and its priceless Yellow Diamond – 1000 Things to do New York|date=October 1, 2014}}</ref> |
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In 2022 in the UK, [[Channel 5 (British TV channel)|Channel 5]] broadcast an edited version of the film in which all the shots of Mr Yunioshi were deleted, though Mickey Rooney's credit remained in the main titles, leading to accusations of censorship.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McGleenon |first1=Brian |title=Breakfast at Tiffany's censorship row erupts after Channel 5 cut ENTIRE character |url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1568888/Breakfast-at-Tiffanys-censorship-Channel-5-Mr-yunioshi-mickey-rooney |access-date=8 August 2023 |publisher=Express Newspapers |date=20 February 2022}}</ref> Channel 5 is wholly-owned subsidiary of the American media conglomerate [[Paramount Global]], which owns the rights to the film. |
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== |
==Controversy== |
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{{multiple image|total_width=270|image1=Mickey Rooney still.jpg|thumb|left|upright|image2=Starring Mickey Rooney.jpg|footer=[[Mickey Rooney]], a white American, wore makeup and a prosthetic mouthpiece to portray a Japanese character.}} |
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{{unreferenced section|date=October 2010}} |
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{{main|I. Y. Yunioshi|Portrayal of East Asians in American film and theater}} |
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''Breakfast at Tiffany's'' was one of the first Hepburn films to be released to the [[home video]] market in the early 1980s,{{Citation needed|date=October 2010}} and is also widely available on DVD. On February 7, 2006, Paramount released a 45th anniversary special edition DVD set in North America with featurettes not included on the prior DVD release: |
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* ''Audio Commentary'' – with producer [[Dick Shepherd|Richard Shepherd]] |
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* ''Breakfast at Tiffany's: The Making of a Classic'' – a making-of featurette with interviews by Edwards, Neal, the "laughing/crying" woman from the party, and Sean Ferrer, Hepburn's son. |
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* ''It's So Audrey! A Style Icon'' – a short tribute to Hepburn. |
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* ''Brilliance in a Blue Box'' – a brief history of Tiffany & Co. |
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* ''Audrey's Letter to Tiffany'' – an accounting of Hepburn's letter to Tiffany & Co. on the occasion of the company's 150th anniversary in 1987. |
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* ''Original Theatrical Trailer'' |
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* ''Photo Gallery'' |
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Since the 1990s, Rooney's portrayal of I. Y. Yunioshi, which featured makeup and a prosthetic mouthpiece, has been subject to controversy and labelled as a caricatured approximation of a Japanese man. In the [[Bruce Lee]] biopic ''[[Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story]]'' (1993), ''Breakfast at Tiffany's'' is used as an illustration of Hollywood's [[racist]] depiction of East Asians. It is implied that Lee and his future wife, [[Linda Lee Cadwell]], walked out of a screening of the film upon viewing Rooney's performance.<ref>Morris, M. (2007). Learning from Bruce Lee: Pedagogy and Political Correctness in Martial Arts Cinema.". The Worlding Project: Doing Cultural Studies in the Era of Globalization, 49–56.</ref> |
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On January 13, 2009, a remastered Centennial Collection version of the film was released. In addition to the special features on the 45th anniversary edition, this version includes: |
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* ''A Golightly Gathering'' – Reuniting some of the past cast members from the party with interviews on their experiences filming that segment. |
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* ''Henry Mancini: More Than Music'' – A featurette about Henry Mancini, "Moon River" and interviews with Mancini's wife and children. |
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* ''Mr. Yunioshi: An Asian Perspective'' – Documentary discussing the reaction and Asian perspective of the character of Mr. Yunioshi, one of the most controversial characters in film. |
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* ''Behind the Gates'' – A tour through Paramount Studios |
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Producer [[Richard Shepherd (producer)|Richard Shepherd]] later claimed that he wanted to cast a Japanese actor to portray Yunioshi, but that Edwards overruled him. He also stated he did not believe "[Rooney] didn't play the part well".<ref>{{Cite AV media |people=Shepherd, Richard |title= Breakfast at Tiffany's – Anniversary Edition/Centennial Edition [[audio commentary]] |medium= DVD |publisher= Paramount |time= 3:43}}</ref> Shepherd later apologized for Rooney's casting and performance, saying, "If we could just change Mickey, I'd be thrilled with the [film]."<ref name="makingof">Breakfast at Tiffany's: The Making of a Classic</ref> Edwards later stated he "would give anything to be able to recast [Rooney]" and that he "wished [he] had never done it" but stressed it was not something he could "undo".<ref name="makingof" /> |
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In 2011 a newly remastered HD version of the film was released on Blu-ray with many of the features from the aforementioned DVDs. The [[Film preservation#Digital Film Preservation|digital restoration]] of the film was done by [[Paramount Pictures]]. The digital pictures were frame by frame digitally restored at [[Prasad Corporation]] to remove dirt, tears, scratches and other artifacts. The film was restored to its original look for its 50th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Breakfast-at-Tiffanys-Blu-ray/21311/|title=Breakfast at Tiffany's Blu-ray}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/2011/20110629.html|title=Latest Academy News|date=September 10, 2014}}</ref> |
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In a 2008 interview, Rooney said he was "heartbroken" regarding the criticism, saying, "Edwards wanted me to [portray] the character because he was a comedy director. We had fun doing it. Never [since] we made it [has] there been [any] complaints. Every place I've gone in the world people say [I] was so funny."<ref name="scripps08">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205110909/http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/35779 |archive-date=December 5, 2008 |url=http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/35779 |title= Mickey Rooney upset about claims his 'Tiffany's' role is racist |last=Magagnini| first=Stephen |date=September 28, 2008|work= [[Sacramento Bee]] | publisher=[[Scripps Howard News Service]] |access-date=2010-10-03}}</ref> Rooney later said that he would not have taken the role if he thought it was offensive.<ref name="scripps08" /> |
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==Stage adaptations== |
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In 2004, a musical adaptation of the film made its world debut at [[The Muny]] in [[St. Louis]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.muny.org/content/view/7/101/#B |title=Show Archives |publisher=The Muny |access-date=2009-05-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080528084953/http://muny.org/content/view/7/101/#B |archive-date=May 28, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> |
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The film continues to draw criticism for the character, with film historian [[Robert Osborne]] calling it "such a racial slur. I blame Edwards. The caricature was totally embarrassing".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thefilmsinmylife.com/2015/11/robert-osborne-recasts-breakfast-at.html?m=1|title= Robert Osborne recasts Breakfast at Tiffany's|website= thefilmsinmylife|access-date= April 13, 2020}}</ref> It has also been the subject of censorship and petitions against its contemporary screening or labelling as a "classic". In 2011, a group of viewers opposed a screening held by [[SyFy]] and the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation to commemorate the film,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/13/brooklyn-breakfast-at-tiffanys_n_897557.html|title='Breakfast At Tiffany's' Brooklyn Screening Sparks Protests From Asian-American Group|date=July 13, 2011|via=Huff Post}}</ref> and in 2022, the broadcaster [[Channel 5 (British TV channel)|Channel 5]] (a wholly-owned subsidiary of [[Paramount Global]]), aired the film in the UK with the scenes featuring Rooney removed.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McGleenon |first1=Brian |title=Breakfast at Tiffany's censorship row erupts after Channel 5 cut ENTIRE character |url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1568888/Breakfast-at-Tiffanys-censorship-Channel-5-Mr-yunioshi-mickey-rooney |access-date=8 August 2023 |publisher=Express Newspapers |date=20 February 2022}}</ref> |
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In May 2009, [[Anna Friel]] starred in a [[London]] adaptation that opened in September 2009 at the [[Haymarket Theatre]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8052020.stm |title=Entertainment | West End Breakfast for Anna Friel |work=BBC News |date= 2009-05-15|access-date=2009-05-16}}</ref> |
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==Adaptations== |
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A new stage adaptation made its debut in March 2013 at the [[Cort Theater]] in [[New York City]] with [[Emilia Clarke]] in the role of Holly Golightly.<ref>{{cite web|title=Breakfast At Tiffany's—The Official Broadway Site|url=http://www.breakfastattiffanysonbroadway.com/|access-date=12 April 2013}}</ref> |
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In 2004, a musical adaptation of the film made its world debut at [[The Muny]] in [[St. Louis]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.muny.org/content/view/7/101/#B |title=Show Archives |publisher=The Muny |access-date=2009-05-16 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080528084953/http://muny.org/content/view/7/101/#B |archive-date=May 28, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> In May 2009, [[Anna Friel]] starred in a [[London]] stage adaptation that opened in September 2009 at the [[Haymarket Theatre]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8052020.stm |title=Entertainment | West End Breakfast for Anna Friel |work=BBC News |date= 2009-05-15|access-date=2009-05-16}}</ref> In March 2013, a new stage adaptation made its debut at the [[Cort Theater]] in [[New York City]], starring [[Emilia Clarke]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Breakfast At Tiffany's—The Official Broadway Site|url=http://www.breakfastattiffanysonbroadway.com/|access-date=12 April 2013}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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* [[List of Paramount Pictures films]] |
* [[List of Paramount Pictures films]] |
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* [[List of short fiction made into feature films]] |
* [[List of short fiction made into feature films]] |
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* ''[[Breakfast at Tiffany's (musical)]]'' |
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{{div col end}} |
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[[Category:American romantic comedy-drama films]] |
[[Category:American romantic comedy-drama films]] |
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[[Category:Casting controversies in film]] |
[[Category:Casting controversies in film]] |
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[[Category:English-language comedy-drama films]] |
[[Category:English-language romantic comedy-drama films]] |
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[[Category:English-language romantic comedy films]] |
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[[Category:Films about interclass romance]] |
[[Category:Films about interclass romance]] |
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[[Category:Films about landlords]] |
[[Category:Films about landlords]] |
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[[Category:Films about social class]] |
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[[Category:Films about socialites]] |
[[Category:Films about socialites]] |
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[[Category:Films about writers]] |
[[Category:Films about writers]] |
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Revision as of 01:35, 16 September 2024
| Breakfast at Tiffany's | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Blake Edwards |
| Screenplay by | George Axelrod |
| Based on | Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote |
| Produced by | |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Franz F. Planer |
| Edited by | Howard Smith |
| Music by | Henry Mancini |
Production companies |
|
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 114 minutes[1] |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $2.5 million |
| Box office | $14 million |
Breakfast at Tiffany's is a 1961 American romantic comedy film directed by Blake Edwards from a screenplay by George Axelrod and based on the 1958 novella of the same name by Truman Capote. It stars Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, Patricia Neal, Buddy Ebsen, Martin Balsam, and Mickey Rooney. In the film, Holly Golightly (Hepburn), a naïve, eccentric socialite meets Paul Varjak (Peppard), a struggling writer who moves into her apartment building.
Development for the film began soon after the publication of Capote's novel, with several actors, including Marilyn Monroe, Shirley MacLaine, Kim Novak, Steve McQueen, Jack Lemmon, and Robert Wagner, considered for the lead roles prior to Hepburn and Peppard being cast. The screenplay, which deviates from Capote's novella, was originally completed by Axelrod and director John Frankenheimer, who was replaced by Edwards well into pre-production. Principal photography began on October 2, 1960, with filming taking place in New York City and at the Studios at Paramount in Hollywood, California. The film's music was composed by Henry Mancini and its theme song, "Moon River", was written by Johnny Mercer.
Breakfast at Tiffany's was released in the United States on October 5, 1961, by Paramount Pictures. It grossed $14 million worldwide and received critical acclaim for its music and Hepburn's style and performance, being nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Hepburn, and winning two (Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture and Best Song for Mancini). The film also received numerous other accolades, although, Rooney's portrayal of I. Y. Yunioshi garnered significant subsequent controversy for being racist. In 2012, the film was preserved in the U.S. National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
Plot
Fending off a date from the night before, Holly Golightly visits the Tiffany & Co. flagship store but her date finds her at her apartment building. Holly, who cannot find her keys, buzzes her landlord, Mr. Yunioshi, to let her in. Holly meets her new neighbor Paul Varjak as she readies to leave for her weekly visit to incarcerated mobster Sally Tomato. Tomato's lawyer pays her $100[a] a week to deliver "the weather report". Holly meets Paul's "decorator" Emily Eustace Failenson, a wealthy older woman, whom Paul nicknames "2E". That night, when Holly crawls out onto the fire escape to elude an over-eager date, she sees 2E leaving Paul money and kissing him goodbye.
Holly visits Paul and learns he is a writer who has not had anything published in five years, and has no ribbon in his typewriter. Holly explains she is saving money to support her brother, Fred, after he completes his Army service. The pair fall asleep but are awakened when Holly has a nightmare about Fred. When Paul questions her about this, Holly chides him for prying. Holly buys Paul a typewriter ribbon to apologize, and invites him to a party at her apartment. There, he meets her Hollywood agent, Berman, who describes Holly's transformation from a country girl into a Manhattan "socialite", along with wealthy Brazilian politician José da Silva Pereira and the wealthy American Rusty Trawler.
Some time later, 2E enters Paul's apartment, worried about someone loitering outside the building. Paul confronts the man who explains he is Holly's husband, Doc Golightly. Doc informs him that Holly ran away and he has come to bring her back to rural Texas. After Paul reunites them, Holly informs Paul the marriage was annulled and she declines to return with Doc. After drinking at a club, Paul and Holly return to her apartment, where she tells him she plans to marry Trawler for his money. A few days later, Paul learns a short story inspired by Holly will be published. On the way to tell Holly, he sees a newspaper headline stating that Trawler has married someone else.
Holly and Paul agree to spend the day together, taking turns doing things each has never done before. At Tiffany's, he has the ring from a box of Cracker Jack engraved as a present for her. After spending the night together, Paul awakens to find Holly gone. 2E arrives and calmly accepts when he ends their affair, realizing he loves Holly. Returning from a date with José, Holly learns Fred has been killed and trashes her apartment.
Months later, Holly readies to move to Brazil and marry José but is arrested in connection to a drug ring run by Sally Tomato. Berman pays her bail and Paul picks her up in a cab with all her things, including Cat and a breakup letter from José. Holly decides to go to Brazil anyway, breaking bail, as Paul declares that he loves her. Resistant to being in a relationship, Holly chastises him and releases Cat into an alley. Paul storms out of the cab, leaving the engraved ring with Holly. After she puts it on, Holly runs back to the alley, where Paul is looking for Cat. After Holly finds Cat, she cradles it in her coat and, smiling, walks into Paul's embrace.
Cast
- Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly
- George Peppard as Paul Varjak
- Patricia Neal as Mrs. Emily Eustace "2E" Failenson
- Buddy Ebsen as Doc Golightly
- Martin Balsam as O.J. Berman
- Mickey Rooney as Mr. Yunioshi
- José Luis de Vilallonga as José da Silva Pereira
- John McGiver as Tiffany's salesman
- Dorothy Whitney as Mag Wildwood
- Stanley Adams as Rutherford "Rusty" Trawler
- Elvia Allman as the librarian
- Alan Reed as Sally Tomato
- Miss Beverly Hills as the stripper
- Claude Stroud as Sid Arbuck
- Orangey as Cat (Frank Inn, trainer)
Production
Development
The screenplay was written by George Axelrod, which is loosely based on the novel of the same name by Truman Capote. Changes were made to fit the medium of cinema and to correspond to the filmmakers' vision. Capote, who sold the novel's film rights to Paramount Studios, wanted Marilyn Monroe to play Holly Golightly: he considered Monroe to best reflect the character,[3] with Axelrod was hired to "tailor" the screenplay to accomodate Monroe. Monroe declined the film, opting for The Misfits (1961), after theatre director Lee Strasberg advised her that playing a "lady of the evening" would be bad for her image. The role was then offered to Shirley MacLaine, who turned it down in favor of starring in Two Loves (1961),[4] and Kim Novak also turned down the role.[5]
Capote was angry at the studio's eventual decision to cast Hepburn, remarking, "Paramount double-crossed me in every way and cast Audrey".[6][7][8] Hepburn was hesitant to star in the film, citing difficulty playing an extroverted character.[9][10] Steve McQueen was offered the role of Paul Varjak, but declined the offer due to being under contract with United Artists,[11] and Jack Lemmon was also approached, but was unavailable. Robert Wagner was also considered.[12] The film's original director, John Frankenheimer, worked with Axelrod for three months on the project before he was replaced by Edwards after Hepburn's agent requested a higher-profile director.[13]
Filming
Filming began on Fifth Avenue outside the Tiffany & Co. flagship store on October 2, 1960.[14] Most of the exteriors were filmed in New York City, and all of the interiors, except for portions set inside Tiffany & Co., were filmed on the Paramount Studios lot in Hollywood.[15]
According to one report, the film's on-location opening sequence outside Tiffany & Co. was extremely difficult to shoot, due to issues related to crowd control, Hepburn's dislike of pastries, and an accident that nearly resulted in the electrocution of a crew member. However, another report claims the sequence was captured rather quickly, owing to an unexpected lull in city traffic.[16]
Music
It took me time to figure out what Holly Golightly was all about. I don't drink much, but I was sipping and it came to me one night. I wrote [the song] in half an hour.
Henry Mancini on writing "Moon River".[17]
During the film, Hepburn sang the film's signature song, "Moon River", written by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer. The song was tailored to Hepburn's limited vocal range and its sequencing was inspired by songs she performed in Funny Face (1957).[18] On the Anniversary Edition home media release featuring audio commentary by co-producer Dick Shepherd, he stated that after the film's test preview in San Francisco, Martin Rankin, Paramount's head of production, wanted "Moon River" replaced with music sung by somebody else. Shepherd claimed he and Marty Jurow refused to replace it – a response attributed to Hepburn herself in another account.[19][20]
According to Time, Mancini "sets off [the] melodies with a walking bass, extends them with choral and string variations and varies them with the brisk sounds of combo jazz. "Moon River" is sobbed by a plaintive harmonica, repeated by strings, hummed and then sung by the chorus and finally resolved with the harmonica."[17] The soundtrack featured a score composed and conducted by Mancini, with several unreleased musical compositions not featuring in the final film. One piece, "Carousel Cue", appears in a deleted scene, while another piece titled "Outtake 1" also appears in a deleted scene. In 2013, Intrada Records released the complete score in its original film performance: as with many soundtrack albums from the time period, the album initially released alongside the film was a re-recording.
Release
Breakfast at Tiffany's was theatrically released by Paramount Pictures on October 5, 1961.
Home media
The film was first released on home media in the 1980s, on VHS and DVD, and was one of the first films featuring Hepburn released on home video. On February 7, 2006, a 45th anniversary special edition DVD was released in North America, containing featurettes not included on the prior releases. These included a photo gallery, the film's theatrical trailer, a history featurette on Tiffany & Co., audio commentary by producer Richard Shepherd, a making-of featurette with interviews from Edwards and Neal, and a tribute to Hepburn, which contained a letter written by Hepburn to Tiffany & Co. for their 150th anniversary in 1987.
On January 13, 2009, a remastered Centennial Collection version of the film was released, which added several new featurettes, including interviews by the cast, a documentary discussing the controversy regarding Rooney's portrayal of I.Y. Yunioshi, an interactive tour of the Paramount Studios lot where filming took place, and a tribute to Mancini. On June 29, 2011, the film was digitally restored in high-definition and released on Blu-ray to commemorate its 50th anniversary.[21][22]
Reception
Box office
Breakfast at Tiffany's was a commercial success, grossing $14 million on a $2.5 million budget.[23] The film was screened at Radio City Music Hall before its theatrical release, where Variety called it "a bright box office contender".[24]
Critical response
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On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 88% of 56 critics' reviews are positive, with an average score of 7.5/10. The website's consensus reads, "It contains some ugly anachronisms, but Blake Edwards is at his funniest in this iconic classic, and Audrey Hepburn absolutely lights up the screen."[25] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 77 out of 100, based on 13 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[26]
Time magazine noted "[Hepburn's portrayal] is not much different from Capote's [character]. She has kicked the weed but she is still jolly Holly who runs away to find some of the finer things of life." It also pointed out the differences to Capote's novella, stating "after that out-of-Capote beginning, Edwards goes on to an out-of-character end."[27] Hepburn's performance received rave reviews, with it considered to be one of her most memorable and identifiable roles.[18] Almost a half century later, Richard Corliss of Time emphasized the level of Hepburn's performance, stating, "Breakfast at Tiffany's set Hepburn on her Hollywood course" and argued her performance in the film influenced her later roles.[28]
Tinee Mae of the Chicago Tribune also gave a positive review, saying, "In the wrong hands, the unconventional, disorganized, sophisticated, innocent, utterly contradictory [lead] character could be a tiresome idiot. Audrey makes her as sweet as she is silly, as appealing as she is affected, a playgirl without scruples, a moth who doesn't quite deserve to die in a flame." Mae also praised the "slick" and "perceptive" screenplay and the "fine" supporting cast, singling out Peppard, Ebsen, Balsam and Rooney.[29] Henry T. Murdock of the Philadelphia Inquirer said: "Breakfast at Tiffany's shines like a gem. Much of the iridescence comes from the richly impulsive performance by Hepburn as the scatterbrained, pathetic, fiercely independent lead. [Peppard] plays with understanding. Ebsen appears briefly, but to good effect [and] Rooney is too slapstick as the Japanese photographer. Edwards keeps things moving with a lilt."[30] The film helped rejuvenate Ebsen's career, as it helped him land the role as Jed Clampett on The Beverly Hillbillies (1962–1971).[31]
A.H. Weiler of The New York Times called the film a "completely unbelievable but wholly captivating flight into fancy composed of unequal dollops of comedy, romance, poignancy, funny colloquialisms and Manhattan's swankiest East Side areas captured in the loveliest of colors". Weiler called Hepburn "a genuinely charming, elfin waif who will be believed and adored when seen" and further praised the performances of Peppard, Balsam, Rooney, Neal and Ebsen.[32] Capote infamously disliked Hepburn's performance, while his biographer, Gerald Clarke, characterized the film as a "valentine to free-spirited women, [not] a cautionary tale about a little girl lost in the big city". He later labelled the film "a sugar and spice confection."[33] In later years, American Film Institute ranked the film No. 61 in 100 Years ... 100 Passions and "Moon River" as No. 4 in 100 Years ... 100 Songs. The film was also ranked No. 486 on Empire's The 500 Greatest Movies of All Time list.[34]
Accolades
Influence
The image of Hepburn with her hair in a high chignon and carrying an oversized cigarette holder is considered one of the most iconic images of 20th century American cinema.[45] The sunglasses worn by Hepburn, another popular item, were designed and manufactured in London by Oliver Goldsmith. In 2011, the sunglasses were re-released to mark the film's 50th anniversary.[46] One of three dresses designed by Givenchy for Hepburn to use in the film sold at auction by Christie's on December 5, 2006, for £467,200 (~US$947,000), about seven times the reserve price.[47][48]
The little black dress designed by Givenchy and worn by Hepburn is cited as one of the most iconic clothing items of the twentieth century and was described by Glamour as the most famous little black dress of all time.[49][50][51][52] A second little black dress by Givenchy, which was styled with a wide-brimmed hat, influenced the comic book design for Catwoman by artist Adam Hughes and later inspired the costume for the character in The Dark Knight Rises (2008).[53]
A diamond necklace at Tiffany's that Hepburn's character scorns as too flashy was the Tiffany Yellow Diamond, which Hepburn wore in publicity photos for the film. Tiffany and Co.'s established profile as a pre-eminent luxury retailer was further boosted by the popularity of the film.[54]
Controversy
Mickey Rooney, a white American, wore makeup and a prosthetic mouthpiece to portray a Japanese character.
Since the 1990s, Rooney's portrayal of I. Y. Yunioshi, which featured makeup and a prosthetic mouthpiece, has been subject to controversy and labelled as a caricatured approximation of a Japanese man. In the Bruce Lee biopic Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story (1993), Breakfast at Tiffany's is used as an illustration of Hollywood's racist depiction of East Asians. It is implied that Lee and his future wife, Linda Lee Cadwell, walked out of a screening of the film upon viewing Rooney's performance.[55]
Producer Richard Shepherd later claimed that he wanted to cast a Japanese actor to portray Yunioshi, but that Edwards overruled him. He also stated he did not believe "[Rooney] didn't play the part well".[56] Shepherd later apologized for Rooney's casting and performance, saying, "If we could just change Mickey, I'd be thrilled with the [film]."[57] Edwards later stated he "would give anything to be able to recast [Rooney]" and that he "wished [he] had never done it" but stressed it was not something he could "undo".[57]
In a 2008 interview, Rooney said he was "heartbroken" regarding the criticism, saying, "Edwards wanted me to [portray] the character because he was a comedy director. We had fun doing it. Never [since] we made it [has] there been [any] complaints. Every place I've gone in the world people say [I] was so funny."[58] Rooney later said that he would not have taken the role if he thought it was offensive.[58]
The film continues to draw criticism for the character, with film historian Robert Osborne calling it "such a racial slur. I blame Edwards. The caricature was totally embarrassing".[59] It has also been the subject of censorship and petitions against its contemporary screening or labelling as a "classic". In 2011, a group of viewers opposed a screening held by SyFy and the Brooklyn Bridge Park Corporation to commemorate the film,[60] and in 2022, the broadcaster Channel 5 (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Paramount Global), aired the film in the UK with the scenes featuring Rooney removed.[61]
Adaptations
In 2004, a musical adaptation of the film made its world debut at The Muny in St. Louis.[62] In May 2009, Anna Friel starred in a London stage adaptation that opened in September 2009 at the Haymarket Theatre.[63] In March 2013, a new stage adaptation made its debut at the Cort Theater in New York City, starring Emilia Clarke.[64]
See also
- Male prostitution in the arts
- Portrayal of East Asians in Hollywood
- Whitewashing in film
- List of Academy Award–winning films
- List of American films of 1961
- List of Audrey Hepburn credits
- List of comedy films of the 1960s
- List of films set in New York City
- List of Paramount Pictures films
- List of short fiction made into feature films
- Breakfast at Tiffany's (musical)
Notes
References
- ^ "Breakfast at Tiffany's (PG)". British Board of Film Classification. January 8, 2001. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "Calculate the Value of $100 in 1960. How much is it worth today?". DollarTimes. Retrieved December 27, 2023.
- ^ "Breakfast at Tiffany's: When Audrey Hepburn won Marilyn Monroe's role". The Guardian. September 4, 2009. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ Foerster, Jonathan (February 9, 2011). "Shirley MacLaine isn't getting old, she's just advanced". Naples Daily News. Retrieved June 27, 2017.
- ^ "New Again: Kim Novak". Interview. February 15, 2012.
- ^ Paris, Barry (1996). Audrey Hepburn. Berkley Books. ISBN 978-0399140563.
- ^ "Happy Birthday, Audrey Hepburn! 10 Things You Never Knew About _Breakfast at Tiffany'_s". May 4, 2015.
- ^ "'Breakfast at Tiffany's:' Five Things You Didn't Know". ABC News. October 4, 2011. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ "AUDREY HEPBURN IS WARY ON ROLES; Director is More Vital to Star Than Movie's Script". The New York Times.
- ^ "5 Things You Didn't Know About Audrey Hepburn". Vogue. October 1, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
- ^ 18 Hearty Facts About 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'
- ^ "Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)". AFI Catalog of Feature Films.
- ^ Wasson, Sam Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.: Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's Aurum Press, 25 Sep 2011
- ^ Gristwood, Sarah (September 30, 2010). "Breakfast at Tiffany's: 50 Years On". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on January 12, 2022.
- ^ "Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961): Filming and Production". imdb.com. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
- ^ 25 Things You May Not Know About 'Breakfast at Tiffany's' Archived June 28, 2016, at the Wayback Machine at moviefone.com, 5 Oct 2011
- ^ a b "Movies: Never Too Much Music". Time. May 25, 1962. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved October 3, 2010.
- ^ a b Spoto 2006, pp. 204–05.
- ^ Erwin, Ellen; Diamond, Jessica Z. (October 2006). The Audrey Hepburn Treasures. New York: Atria Books. p. 107. ISBN 978-0-7432-8986-3.
- ^ Shepherd, Richard. Breakfast at Tiffany's – Anniversary Edition/Centennial Edition audio commentary (DVD). Paramount. Event occurs at 25:20.
- ^ "Breakfast at Tiffany's Blu-ray".
- ^ "Latest Academy News". September 10, 2014.
- ^ "1961 Rentals and Potential". Variety. January 10, 1961. p. 13.
- ^ "Breakfast at Tiffany's". Variety. October 11, 1961. p. 7.
- ^ Breakfast at Tiffany's at Rotten Tomatoes
- ^ Breakfast at Tiffany's Reviews, Metacritic, retrieved March 19, 2022
- ^ "Cinema: Once Over Golightly". Time. October 20, 1961. Archived from the original on September 15, 2012. Retrieved October 3, 2010.
- ^ Corliss, Richard (January 20, 2007). "Audrey Hepburn: Still the Fairest Lady". Time. Retrieved October 3, 2010.
- ^ Tinee, Mae. "A Slick Script and Fine Cast in This Film." Chicago Tribune, 20 October 1961, B11.
- ^ Murdock, Henry T. "Audrey Hepburn Stars in Role of Party Girl." Philadelphia Inquirer, 28 October 1961, 15.
- ^ Biography for Buddy Ebsen at IMDb
- ^ Weiler, A.H. (October 6, 1961). "The Screen: Breakfast at Tiffany's: Audrey Hepburn Stars in Music Hall Comedy". The New York Times. Retrieved October 3, 2010.
- ^ "Capote never liked Hepburn in iconic role". Today.com. Associated Press. Archived from the original on July 30, 2017. Retrieved November 10, 2014.
- ^ "Empire: Features". Empireonline.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "The 34th Academy Awards (1962) Nominees and Winners". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
- ^ "NY Times: Breakfast at Tiffany's". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2007. Archived from the original on December 1, 2007. Retrieved December 24, 2008.
- ^ "Audrey Hepburn". David di Donatello. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
- ^ "14th DGA Awards". Directors Guild of America Awards. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
- ^ "Breakfast at Tiffany's". Golden Globe Awards. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
- ^ "4th Annual GRAMMY Awards". Grammy Awards. Retrieved May 1, 2011.
- ^ "2013 IFMCA Awards". International Film Music Critics Association. February 20, 2014. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
- ^ "Complete National Film Registry Listing". Library of Congress. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
- ^ "2011 Satellite Awards". Satellite Awards. Retrieved August 11, 2023.
- ^ "Awards Winners". Writers Guild of America Awards. Archived from the original on December 5, 2012. Retrieved June 6, 2010.
- ^ Spoto 2006, p. 203.
- ^ Moss, Rob (July 28, 2011). "Re-released Manhattan sunglasses mark 50th anniversary of Breakfast at Tiffany's". Eye Wear Glasses. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
- ^ "Auction frenzy over Hepburn dress". BBC News. December 5, 2006.
- ^ "Audrey Hepburn Breakfast At Tiffany's, 1961". Christie's. December 5, 2006. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
- ^ "The Most Famous Dresses Ever". Glamour.com. April 2007. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
- ^ "Audrey Hepburn dress". Hello Magazine. December 6, 2006.
- ^ "Audrey Hepburn's little black dress tops fashion list". The Independent. May 17, 2010. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
- ^ Steele, Valerie (November 9, 2010). The Berg Companion to Fashion. Berg Publishers. p. 483. ISBN 978-1-84788-592-0. Retrieved May 16, 2011.
- ^ Miller, Jacqui (2014). Fan Phenomena: Audrey Hepburn. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. pp. 26–7. ISBN 978-1-78320-206-5.
- ^ "#204: Tiffany & Co. and its priceless Yellow Diamond – 1000 Things to do New York". October 1, 2014.
- ^ Morris, M. (2007). Learning from Bruce Lee: Pedagogy and Political Correctness in Martial Arts Cinema.". The Worlding Project: Doing Cultural Studies in the Era of Globalization, 49–56.
- ^ Shepherd, Richard. Breakfast at Tiffany's – Anniversary Edition/Centennial Edition audio commentary (DVD). Paramount. Event occurs at 3:43.
- ^ a b Breakfast at Tiffany's: The Making of a Classic
- ^ a b Magagnini, Stephen (September 28, 2008). "Mickey Rooney upset about claims his 'Tiffany's' role is racist". Sacramento Bee. Scripps Howard News Service. Archived from the original on December 5, 2008. Retrieved October 3, 2010.
- ^ "Robert Osborne recasts Breakfast at Tiffany's". thefilmsinmylife. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
- ^ "'Breakfast At Tiffany's' Brooklyn Screening Sparks Protests From Asian-American Group". July 13, 2011 – via Huff Post.
- ^ McGleenon, Brian (February 20, 2022). "Breakfast at Tiffany's censorship row erupts after Channel 5 cut ENTIRE character". Express Newspapers. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ "Show Archives". The Muny. Archived from the original on May 28, 2008. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Entertainment | West End Breakfast for Anna Friel". BBC News. May 15, 2009. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Breakfast At Tiffany's—The Official Broadway Site". Retrieved April 12, 2013.
Further reading
- Spoto, Donald (2006). Enchantment: The Life of Audrey Hepburn. New York: Harmony Books. ISBN 0-307-23758-3.
- Breakfast at Tiffany's, by George Axelrod. Published by Paramount Home Entertainment (UK), 1960. (film script)
- Breakfast at Tiffany's: A Short Novel and Three Stories, by Truman Capote. Published by Random House, 1958.
- Wasson, Sam (August 30, 2011). Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.: Audrey Hepburn, Breakfast at Tiffany's, and the Dawn of the Modern Woman. Harper Collins. ISBN 978-0061774164.
External links
Breakfast at Tiffany's (film) at Wikipedia's sister projects
Media from Commons
Quotations from Wikiquote
- Breakfast at Tiffany's at IMDb
- Breakfast at Tiffany's at AllMovie
- Breakfast at Tiffany's at Rotten Tomatoes
- Breakfast at Tiffany's at the AFI Catalog of Feature Films
- Breakfast at Tiffany's at the TCM Movie Database
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Categories:
- 1961 films
- 1961 comedy-drama films
- 1961 romantic comedy films
- 1960s American films
- 1960s English-language films
- 1960s romantic comedy-drama films
- American romantic comedy-drama films
- Casting controversies in film
- English-language romantic comedy-drama films
- Films about interclass romance
- Films about landlords
- Films about socialites
- Films about writers
- Films adapted into plays
- Films based on novellas
- Films based on works by Truman Capote
- Films directed by Blake Edwards
- Films scored by Henry Mancini
- Films set in apartment buildings
- Films set in New York City
- Films shot in New York City
- Films that won the Best Original Score Academy Award
- Films that won the Best Original Song Academy Award
- Films with screenplays by George Axelrod
- Paramount Pictures films
- United States National Film Registry films
- Whitewashing in film