Pygmalion (1937): Cast & Plot
Pygmalion is a 1937 comedy directed by Ludwig Berger, starring Emma Morel as Mrs. Higgins, Eduard Verkade and Lily Bouwmeester. It is based on Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 35m (95 min)
- Director
- Ludwig Berger
- Genre
- Comedy
- Original language
-
Dutch - Based on
- Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Pygmalion About?
The premise of Pygmalion without spoilers, adapted from Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
When linguistics professor Henry Higgins claims he can turn Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle into a refined lady in six months, Colonel Pickering wagers to test him. Higgins secures a financial agreement with Eliza’s dust‑man father, Alfred, and she moves into his home for rigorous speech and manners training. As Eliza’s metamorphosis progresses, Higgins himself is forced to confront his own attitudes.
Pygmalion Themes & Keywords
· 2 tags- makeover
- based on play
Pygmalion Cast & Characters
Emma Morel leads the cast as Mrs. Higgins, with Eduard Verkade as Pickering and Lily Bouwmeester as Elisa Doeluttel. Directed by Ludwig Berger; 10 actors are credited in all.
- Director Ludwig Berger
- Emma Morel as Mrs. Higgins
- Eduard Verkade as Pickering
- Lily Bouwmeester as Elisa Doeluttel
- Johan De Meester as Higgens
Also Starring in Pygmalion
· 6 more- Matthieu van Eysden Doeluttel
- Sara Heyblom Mevrouw van Heteren-Hill
- Elly Van Stekelenburg Mrs. Doeluttel
- Nel Oosthout Juffrouw Snijders
- Wim Kan Mevrouw van Heteren-Hill's zoon
- Tous Sigma Mevrouw van Heteren-Hill's dochter
More from Ludwig Berger
More films directed by Ludwig Berger: The Thief of Bagdad, Waltz War, I by Day, You by Night and Playboy of Paris.
Pygmalion Plot Summary
What happens in Pygmalion from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Eliza Doolittle, Lily Bouwmeester, is at the heart of a lively incident in Covent Garden when linguist Professor Higgins, Johan De Meester, is mistaken for a policeman by passers-by and bystanders, while the flower seller protests the disruption. In the aftermath, Higgins chats with Colonel Pickering, Eduard Verkade, a fellow scholar who has just arrived from India to meet him. Higgins argues that if Eliza could be taught to speak with precision and confidence, she could sculpt a brighter future for herself and even pass as a duchess.
Full summary
The whole story of Pygmalion, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Pygmalion?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is Eliza Doolittle's occupation at the start of the film?
Seen Pygmalion?
Movies Like Pygmalion
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Pygmalion, Pygmalion and My Fair Lady.
Pygmalion FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, the book behind it, post-credit scenes and language of Pygmalion, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Pygmalion?
Pygmalion runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).
When was Pygmalion released?
Pygmalion was released on February 26, 1937.
Who directed Pygmalion?
Pygmalion was directed by Ludwig Berger.
More films by Ludwig Berger Who is in the cast of Pygmalion?
Pygmalion stars Emma Morel as Mrs. Higgins, Eduard Verkade as Pickering and Lily Bouwmeester as Elisa Doeluttel, among 10 credited actors.
Is Pygmalion based on a book?
Yes. Pygmalion is adapted from Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw.
Does Pygmalion have a post-credit scene?
No. Pygmalion has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Pygmalion in?
The original language of Pygmalion is Dutch.
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