Millie

"Thoroughly Modern Millie" is a thoroughly wonderful movie! With stars like Julie Andrews, Carol Channing and Beatrice Lillie, how can you lose?. The answer: You can't! Splendid songs, dances and a sometimes hilarious script blend into top entertainment. Julie Andrews stated she took the role because she didn't have much longer to play ingénue parts. And she couldn't have chosen better. She is perfect as Mllie, the Kansas innocent (with a forgivably British accent) who comes to the Big City (circa 1922) to land a rich husband. At the same time, she meets "Miss" Dorothy Brown (an appealing Mary Tyler Moore), a self-described "rich orphan" out to experience life among the working girls. A chance meeting with Jimmy Smith (James Fox, currently in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory") leads to a meeting with fabulously wealthy playgirl Muzzy Van Hossmere (Carol Channing) and a series of delightful mishaps. Along the way, Millie becomes enamored of her handsome boss, Trevor Graydon (John Gavin) and learns the REAL occupation of her mysterious landlady, Mrs. Meers (Beatrice Lillie). All of the performers are "just swell", but inevitably, Lillie and Channing (who got an Oscar nomination) stand out, and there is a terrific turn by Cavada Humphrey as a formidable office manager. A typically polished Ross Hunter production, original songs by Sammy Cahn And James Van Heusen, and a musical background of standards by Oscar-winner Elmer Bernstein make this "Thoroughly Irresistible!"

Hard for me to be objective, here, since I've been madly in love with Julie Andrews since being first exposed to her crystalline voice when I was three.

But I'll try: "Millie's" first half is, to quote the screenplay, "Delish," with Andrews vamping and camping throughout. I am unable to take my eyes off her as she clowns, flirts, cavorts, and also sings and dances (getting her hotel elevator to work results in a showstopper). The vehicle--a pastiche of 1920s conventions (including "moderns") and filmgoing techniques (including iris-outs and title cards)--is the frothy light story of a British import who comes to America and finds true love.

The second half gets bogged down in the overwrought script, with all the machinations of a white slavery plot and a pair of "inscrutible" Orientals who, in this day and age of racial sensitivity, get far worse than they deserve.

Some history: Ross Hunter, the producer, wanted to film "The Boy Friend," the Broadway musical that had introduced Andrews to the U.S. stage. When the rights were unavailable, he devised his own script, using the same setting--the 1920s. A "small" musical evolved.

Then Julie's star went through the stratosphere. And the Universal "suits," smelling another payday, insisted that the movie be a road-show presentation--with a road-show running time(and at which road-show prices could be charged). Little "Millie" had an intermission added, and her running time was increased considerably.

The movie's still a lot of fun and definitely recommendable (especially to Andrews fans), but let's just say that, at times, it more than shows its stretchmarks!

I do like this film, it is good fun, the type that only Dame Julie can bring. It doesn't wow me and it doesn't stand out as such, because films like 'Mary Poppins', 'Snow White & The Seven Dwarves' and others of that time just have that one more X Factor.

Julie is superb in her role of course and so effortless in her timing and performance. I was surprised to realise though that Jimmy was played by James Fox. I'd never have thought that at all until I read it on IMDB this time around. He does a good job too and I can see what she meant about his eyes, but I'm definitely more of a John Gavin kind of guy. What a man.

Also, I've always thought that Carol Channing's character was a young man in drag. She's great fun, but very boy-ish.

The story is a bit long winded and I did find myself reaching for the games apps on my phone at times, but there are also some moments of pure genius in this film.

I love the cutaways to the silent movie placards and the lift scenes were brilliant. It's not a bad tale, just a bit timely.

Full of enjoyable moments and jokes and John Gavin's beautiful smile. It's definitely worth a watch every now and then.

I like this movie because it makes fun of itself. It knows it's silly, irreverant, and totally over the top. That's the point of the movie, and it works. It's completely void of substance-my friend claims to loose brain cells every time she sees it, yet she wants to watch it all the time. It's just plain fun and Julie Andrews (my personal fav) is at her most adorable. Even though in real life she was 31 and the mother of a 4-year-old, she's totally convincing as Millie. It does drag sometimes, but it's still a darling musical that's just full of fun-exactly how it's intended to be.

I will admit the plot is a little confusing at times, and the last half hour or so is rather silly, but putting all that aside it is a hugely enjoyable and extraordinarily delightful musical. I cannot praise enough the splendid songs, the superb choreography and the funny script. Julie Andrews is perfect as Millie, then again there may be a sense of bias because I love her. I love the angelic quality in her voice and her dazzling stage presence. She is also aided by terrific supporting turns from the lovely Mary Tyler Moore and the dashing James Fox. The scene stealers for me though were Beatrice Lillie and Carol Channing, both of whom were hilarious. Plus Pat Morita as one of the henchmen was inspired casting. The direction is good, there are some priceless moments, like the dancing in the elevator to make it work. Thoroughly Modern Millie has its flaws, but I do think it is a delightful film, and an underrated one too. A solid 8/10 from me. Bethany Cox