'Breakfast' A Champion

If you asked me what I would love to do on a quiet Saturday afternoon, it would be to curl up and watch Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961, Paramount, unrated, new collector’s edition including script, soundtrack CD, and other materials, $59.95). It’s one of my favorite movies, and it’s one of my husband Donald Trump’s favorites, too. It’s so cute to watch Donald enjoy the pre- Trump Tower Tiffany store. He keeps saying, ”Look, honey, look, honey.” You know, he’s the one who named our daughter Tiffany.

When I was a little girl in Georgia, I had such a romantic view of New York from watching Breakfast at Tiffany’s on TV. And when I first came to the city, it was so exciting to see where Audrey Hepburn used to peek in the window. It was her fantasy world-and now it’s mine, too. I also remember parties then like the ones in her apartment. Everyone always threw parties for the new girl so the wealthy older men could meet her. It was disgusting, but you had to keep a sense of humor about it. Holly’s line ”There are certain shades of limelight that can wreck a girl’s complexion” is so true.

Audrey Hepburn was perfect as Holly. She had such vulnerability and elegance, but she also had a zest for life and a real ability to have fun. I love the George Peppard character, Paul Varjak, too. He put aside everything to be with Holly, and in a way my husband did the same thing for me.

Even though Breakfast at Tiffany’s came out more than 30 years ago, it definitely stands the test of time. The leading lady is beautiful, the leading man is beautiful, and the lesson is great—happiness comes from accepting yourself and letting someone love you for who you are. It’s not always having the biggest diamond. The sweetest part of the movie is when Holly and Paul go shopping for something that costs less than ten dollars at Tiffany’s. I always wanted that sterling-silver telephone dialer the salesman shows them.

Holly says that nothing bad ever happens at Tiffany’s, and she may be right. Look at the recent robbery—the police caught the thieves, recovered some of the jewelry, and Tiffany’s has kept its stature as a great institution. Now that’s a happy ending. —As told to Lois Alter Mark