Monday, June 14, 2010

Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.


We've swooned over clips of Ms. Hepburn singing Moon River, combed through the Internet for pictures of actress with her pet fawn and donned black dresses with four-strand pearls.

Now there's something new to add to the Audrey lure. Author Sam Wasson is out this week with a new book that presents the woman behind the little black dress. His book, Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M., gives a behind-the-scenes account of the making of Breakfast at Tiffany's.

For example:
Truman Capote desperately wanted Marilyn Monroe, but Marilyn's people thought the role was too saucy for the actress. (Afterall, Holly Golightly was a "lady of the evening.")
Director Blake Edwards filmed multiple endings;
And Hepburn felt very conflicted about balancing her role as mother and movie star.

"Mr. Wasson approaches his subject from many angles," Janet Maslin writes in today's New York Times. "His book winds up as well-tailored as the kind of little black dress that 'Breakfast at Tiffany’s' made famous. And, yes, there’s lots to say here about that dress’s widespread influence. Audiences used to brightly costumed homebodies and Doris Day-type career girls were in for a big, chic, liberating surprise when Holly and her elegant simplicity came along."

I can't wait to read this book. I already know I'll love it. It never ceases to amaze me that -- five decades after the making of Breakfast at Tiffany's -- we all still adore Audrey,
perhaps now more than ever.

Anyone want to go with me to the bookstore?

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

bookstore exploring i would go - i just live across the country. :)

Pinecone Camp said...

I must get this book! Thanks for the info!

J. Christina Huh said...

How ironic that Marilyn Monroe's people thought the role was "too saucy"!

Also, if you sew, you can sew your own Breakfast at Tiffany's dress with this pattern.

kelly ann said...

seriously, i'm so excited read this book, as well! like many, many people, audrey's been my hero since i was little, and i have so many audrey books! but what's one more? ;) she's the loveliest. <3

roseleann said...

She is truly, breathlessly lovely...her beautiful sweetness is also exemplified in Roman Holiday and Sabrina, two of my other favorites. I can't wait to get this book!

style-for-style said...

I'm there, so excited!

vanessa joie said...

Yes me! I can't wait to read it.

PS - I'm really behind blog wise. I'm so glad you're back. xo

liza said...

I'm in and I'll take on for my sister, too! Thanks for the GREAT tip!

Anonymous said...

Wow, I'm definitely adding this to my summer reading list! What a good, tip thanks! You're right, everyone loves that film, especially the leading lady.

Unknown said...

ahh, i need to get this book! Thankyou so much for th info! Love your blog!
Georgie xx

http://secondtimeover.blogspot.com/

Tonia said...

I'm in - can't wait to read this book! Oh Ms Hepburn, how did you get to be so damn graceful!

Jennifer said...

*grabby hands* oh this is a must-have!!! Thanks for pointing this out!

Unknown said...

thanks for sharing, tina! i definitely need to grab this book. i love everything about audrey!

TheBeautyFile said...

I want, I want, I want!! I can't wait to dive into this soon!!!

Laura said...

The book's better than the film even! And i much prefer the book's ending.

Natália Kuchar said...

The best definiton for Audrey: "Simply lovely" - as the book appears to be so...

Unknown said...

ohh what a cool book! i love audrey hepburn! she's the epitome of lovely. will totally look into this book!

Unknown said...

Thanks for telling me about this! I love anything to do with Audrey