Breakfast At Tiffany's: A Favourite Scene
Welcome to Tiffany's!
Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) used to be my favourite film, back in the days when Audrey Hepburn was my favourite actress. Though I have always loved Classic Hollywood and grew up with old films (thanks to my parents), it wasn't until about 8 years ago that I properly delved into the classics. A lot had to do with the easy availability of classic films online. Having discovered Letterboxd also changed my viewing habits drastically.
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Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany's
Audrey is no longer my favourite actress, since I prefer the Hollywood decades of the glorious 1930s and 1940s now and the actresses that go with it (Barbara Stanwyck currently being my fave actress). But I still love Audrey and Breakfast will continue to be one of my favourite movies. I think I can say with certainty that it's thé classic film I've seen the most.
The reason I'm doing this post right now is because I had plans to watch this gem on the big screen at the Filmoteca in my hometown Valencia last Sunday, June 19th! But unfortunately I had to change plans because of an upset stomach, and I decided to rewatch it at home at a later date since I had already prepared this post.
So on to one of my favourite scenes. Audrey Hepburn in the iconic role of Holly Golightly and George Peppard as Paul Varjak decide to spend the day together and take turns by doing things the other has never done before. So now it's Holly's turn and Paul has never been to Tiffany's, one of Holly's favourite places. Once inside the store Paul wants to buy Holly a present but she won't have him spend too much money on her and will only accept a present for 10 dollars or under. The problem is obvious: what can you buy for 10 dollars at Tiffany's?
Enter the salesman, wonderfully portrayed by John McGiver. This is customer service to the max and he is very helpful trying to find them a object that lies within their budget. After Holly and Paul have turned down his recommendation of a sterling silver telephone dialer (because of the lack of romantic value ... "you do understand"), Paul has a light-bulb moment and the following conversation ensues (I love the salesman's stoic manner):
Salesman: "Yes, I suppose so, yes indeed ... the only problem is you would more or less have to buy something first if only in order to have some object upon which to place the engraving ... You see the difficulty ..."
Paul: "Well, uh ... [holds up ring from Cracker Jack box] ... we could have this engraved, couldn't we? I think it would be very smart."
Salesman: "This, I take it, was not purchased at Tiffany's?"
Paul: "No, actually it was purchased concurrent with, uh, well, actually, came inside of ... well, a box of Cracker Jack."
Salesman: "I see ... Do they still really have prizes in Cracker Jack boxes?"
Paul: "Oh yes."
Salesman: "That's nice to know ... It gives one a feeling of solidarity, almost of continuity with the past, that sort of thing."
Holly: "Do you think Tiffany's would really engrave it for us? I mean, you don't think they would feel it was beneath them or anything like that?"
Salesman: "Well, it is rather unusual, Madam, but I think you'll find that Tiffany's is very understanding. If you'll tell me what initials you would like, I think we could have something ready for you in the morning."
Holly (to Paul): "Didn't I tell you this is a lovely place?"
*ALL GIFS MADE BY YOURS TRULY!
