There's a great story about the 60's production of "My Fair Lady" where -- despite his prominence in the stage version -- Rex Harrison was initially rejected for the role of Henry Higgins because Jack Warner thought he was too old. Instead, Cary Grant was being courted for the part. Allegedly, Warner called up Grant and tried to get him to sign. Grant responded by saying that not only would he not take the role, but that if Harrison wasn't in it, he wouldn't even go to see it.

Variety has it that Columbia is gearing "Lady" for a remake with Keira Knightley attached as Eliza Doolittle, retaining the original score and setting. While I was set to write this off as just another remake for quick cash, the more I think about it, the more it troubles me.  While I have no extraordinary regard for the George Cukor version, this seems a supreme case of something not being broke and fixing it anyway. I find it very hard to believe that anyone who would want to watch "My Fair Lady" would rather see Knightley than Audrey Hepburn. After all, so much of the charm of Cukor's version is the history involved and the genuine Hollywood magic that just isn't going to be replicated.

The original film was based on the George Bernard Shaw play "Pygmalion" which, in turn, was based on the Ovid myth of a sculptor who fell in love with his statue. There's a classic story there and one that's ripe for remaking in another setting or with an interesting twist but my flag is raised at this imitation for the sake of recognizability plan.

While it might be fine for teenage girl popcorn fare, I somehow doubt anyone is going to grow accustomed to the face of new actors in classic roles. I'm sticking with Cary Grant on this one and saying that if it doesn't have Rex Harrison, you can count me out.