Wendy Hiller as Eliza Doolittle Behind the Scenes of Pygmalion (1938)

The 1938 film adaptation of George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion marked an important moment in British cinema and gave actress Wendy Hiller one of her most memorable roles. At 26, Hiller was chosen to play Eliza Doolittle after Shaw had seen her acclaimed stage performance of the character at the Malvern Festival in 1936. Shaw strongly supported her casting and remained closely involved with the film’s production.

Directed by Anthony Asquith and co-starring Leslie Howard as Professor Henry Higgins, the movie was filmed at Pinewood Studios. Shaw adapted aspects of his play for the screen, adding material and reshaping scenes to suit the cinematic format. Among the notable sequences were the phonetics lessons and the elaborate ballroom scenes that show Eliza’s transformation from a working-class flower seller into a sophisticated young woman.

Behind-the-scenes photographs from the production provide a visual record of Hiller’s transformation for the role. In particular, images from the ballroom sequences show her dressed in an elegant white gown and tiara, presenting a striking contrast to Eliza’s earlier appearance in the story. Hiller’s performance combined the character’s vulnerability, determination, humor, and developing confidence.

The film also became notable for its treatment of language, including Eliza’s famous line, “Not bloody likely!”, which was considered unusually strong for a mainstream English-language movie of the period. Hiller’s performance earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. The 1938 Pygmalion later became a major influence on the stage musical My Fair Lady, released in 1956, and its 1964 film adaptation.