Audrey Hepburn in ‘The masquerade hour’ (1963). The casting of Hepburn as Belle split fans, some delighted by her elegant portrayal, others upset that a transgender role should be played by a woman. In the end the charm she brought to the film won over most critics, and as one review pointed out “As Belle lives in the twilight between Man and Woman, it isn’t so illogical that she might be played by either gender.” The film won an Oscar for best costume design.
(from belleenfemme)