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The 1961 romantic comedy film Breakfast at Tiffany's, based on Truman Capote's 1958 novella of the same name, received multiple Academy Award nominations. The film starred Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly, a naive, eccentric cafe society girl who falls in love with a struggling writer, played by George Peppard. It also featured Patricia Neal, Buddy Ebsen, Martin Balsam, and Mickey Rooney in supporting roles. Breakfast at Tiffany's won two Academy Awards: Best Original Song for Moon River by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer, and Best Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture for Mancini's work.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Film name | Breakfast at Tiffany's |
| Genre | Romantic comedy |
| Director | Blake Edwards |
| Writer | George Axelrod |
| Source material | Truman Capote's 1958 novella of the same name |
| Year of release | 1961 |
| Lead actors | Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard |
| Supporting actors | Patricia Neal, Buddy Ebsen, Martin Balsam, Mickey Rooney |
| Awards | Best Original Song ("Moon River"), Best Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture (both won by Henry Mancini), Best Song ("Moon River", won by Johnny Mercer) |
| Oscar win? | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
The film won two Academy Awards
The film Breakfast at Tiffany's won two Academy Awards. The first was for Best Original Song, which was awarded to Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer for "Moon River". The second was for Best Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture, awarded to Henry Mancini. Mancini's score is widely regarded as one of the all-time greats and won an Academy Award. Interestingly, Paramount executives initially wanted to cut "Moon River" from the film, believing it slowed the film's pace. However, Hepburn objected and prevailed, and the song became a hit.
The film was also nominated for multiple other Academy Awards. Breakfast at Tiffany's is a 1961 American romantic comedy film directed by Blake Edwards and based on the 1958 novella by Truman Capote. The film stars Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly, a naive, eccentric socialite who falls in love with a struggling writer, Paul Varjak, played by George Peppard. Hepburn's performance received rave reviews and is considered one of her most memorable and iconic roles. The film was critically acclaimed and selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Film Registry in 2012.
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Audrey Hepburn played Holly Golightly
Hepburn's portrayal of Holly Golightly received critical acclaim for her innate style and performance. The character became a style icon, and Hepburn's fashion choices, such as her little black dress and ballet flats, were widely admired and copied. In addition, Hepburn sang the film's signature song, "Moon River," which was written specifically for her and inspired by songs she performed in Funny Face (1957).
There are also several parallels between Audrey Hepburn's life and that of her character, Holly Golightly. Both experienced hunger in their youth, with Hepburn eating tulip bulbs to survive during the German occupation of Holland and Golightly subsisting on melba toast and cottage cheese to maintain her figure. Additionally, Hepburn and Golightly both moved to new locales to remake their lives, with Hepburn moving to London after the war and Golightly departing Texas. They both found success in their new homes, with Hepburn landing acting and modelling jobs and eventually being cast in films, while Golightly found her own ways of making money in New York.
Hepburn was hesitant to take on the role of Holly Golightly, as she found it challenging to portray an extroverted character. However, her performance is considered to have influenced her later roles and set her on her Hollywood course. The film Breakfast at Tiffany's grossed $14 million worldwide and received several accolades, including two Academy Awards for Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture and Best Song for Mancini.
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George Peppard played Paul Varjak
Peppard's performance in Breakfast at Tiffany's is considered one of his most famous and memorable roles. He starred alongside Hepburn, Patricia Neal, Buddy Ebsen, Martin Balsam, and Mickey Rooney.
Before landing the role of Paul Varjak, Peppard had already gained some recognition for his performances in plays like The Sun Dial (1955) and Beautiful Changes (1956). He made his film debut in The Strange One (1957) and began to attract attention after playing Robert Mitchum's illegitimate son in the 1960 melodrama Home from the Hill.
However, it was his role in Breakfast at Tiffany's that solidified his status as a promising young star. Despite some tension with his co-stars Hepburn and Neal during filming, Peppard's performance received positive reviews, and he went on to appear in several major blockbusters of the early to mid-1960s, including How the West Was Won (1962), The Victors (1963), and The Carpetbaggers (1964).
In addition to his acting career, Peppard also served as a second unit director or assistant director on several projects, showcasing his versatility in the entertainment industry.
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Mickey Rooney's performance was criticised
Mickey Rooney's performance as I. Y. Yunioshi in Breakfast at Tiffany's has been criticised since the film's release in 1961 for its use of ethnic stereotypes and racist caricature of a Japanese man. Rooney wore 'yellowface' makeup and prosthetic teeth, taped his eyes, and spoke in an exaggerated accent.
Reviews from the time of the film's release noted the racist nature of the character. The Hollywood Reporter's review stated, "Mickey Rooney gives his customary all to the part of a Japanese photographer, but the role is a caricature". The New York Times also commented on the character, describing Rooney's performance as a "bucktoothed, myopic Japanese [man who is] broadly exotic".
In the decades since the film's release, Rooney's portrayal has continued to be criticised as an offensive ethnic caricature. In 1990, The Boston Globe described the character as "an irascible bucktoothed nerd", and in 1993, the Los Angeles Daily News wrote that the role "would have been an offensive stereotype even played by an Asian; the casting of Mickey Rooney added insult to injury".
The portrayal was also referenced in the 1993 film Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story as an example of Hollywood's racist attitudes towards Asians. In the film, Bruce Lee and his girlfriend, Linda Emery, watch Breakfast at Tiffany's in the theatre. While they initially laugh at the character, Linda suggests they leave midway through the film after noticing Bruce's upset reaction to Rooney's stereotypical depiction.
In a 2008 interview, Rooney expressed his surprise at the criticism his role had received, saying that he was heartbroken by the backlash and that he would not have taken the role had he known it would cause offence. Director Blake Edwards also expressed regret about the choice to cast Rooney in the role, stating, "Looking back, I wish I had never done it".
In 2022, Channel 5 cut all scenes featuring Rooney's character from a broadcast of the film due to the racist depiction of Mr. Yunioshi. This decision sparked a censorship row, with some arguing that it was a dangerous rewriting of history.
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The film was released in 1961
The film Breakfast at Tiffany's was released in 1961 by Paramount Pictures. It is an American romantic comedy film directed by Blake Edwards and based on the 1958 novella of the same name by Truman Capote. The film stars Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly, a naïve, eccentric café society girl who falls in love with a struggling writer, played by George Peppard.
The film was released on October 5, 1961, and has since become a classic, with Hepburn's performance as Holly Golightly considered one of her most memorable and iconic roles. The film was also notable for its fashion, with Hepburn's outfits designed by Hubert de Givenchy, which have become synonymous with Hollywood glamour.
The 1961 release date of Breakfast at Tiffany's is significant as it marked the beginning of the film's journey to becoming a beloved classic. The film has since been released on various home video formats, including VHS in 1989 and DVD in 2001, allowing audiences to enjoy the film in the comfort of their homes.
Breakfast at Tiffany's has also been recognised for its musical achievements. The film's original song, "Moon River," with music by Henry Mancini and lyrics by Johnny Mercer, won an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1962. Mancini's score for the film was also widely acclaimed, winning the Academy Award for Best Music Score of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture.
The critical and commercial success of Breakfast at Tiffany's upon its 1961 release solidified its place in cinematic history. The film's enduring popularity has ensured that it remains a cultural touchstone, with references and homages appearing in various forms of media even decades after its release.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the film won two Academy Awards. Henry Mancini won Best Score and Johnny Mercer won Best Song for "Moon River".
The film starred Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly, a naïve, eccentric café society girl. It also starred George Peppard, Patricia Neal, Buddy Ebsen, Martin Balsam, and Mickey Rooney.
Breakfast at Tiffany's is a romantic comedy based on the 1958 novella of the same name by Truman Capote. In the film, Holly Golightly (Hepburn), a naïve, eccentric socialite, meets Paul Varjak (Peppard), a struggling writer who moves into her apartment building.
