‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ is filled with music and mayhem

Category: Blu-ray's and DVD's

 

Julie Andrews stars as Millie Dillmount in the 1967 musical Thoroughly Modern Millie. This movie won the Academy Award for Best Music, Original Score by Elmer Bernstein.

Millie lives in a hotel for women run by Mrs. Meers (Beatrice Lillie). Millie is a modern woman. She has cut her hair and wears the latest flapper clothes. She desperately wants to marry a rich man – or her boss Trevor Graydon (John Gavin).

Then Miss Dorothy Brown (Mary Tyler Moore) checks into the hotel. She is a little different than Millie. She is shy and a little afraid of living life to the fullest, ala Millie. Then they meet Jimmy Smith (James Fox) who falls for Millie, however Millie is still in love with her boss. Then Trevor meets Miss Dorothy and falls for her, to the dismay of Millie.

Now millionairess Muzzy Van Hossmere (Carol Channing) comes into the picture. Muzzy is full of life, which Millie greatly admires. Well, to sum things up, Millie loves Trevor who loves Dorothy. And Jimmy falls for Millie but how can he compete with her dashing boss? This is a madcap group of characters.

That is just a part of the story. There is a sinister underground white slavery group that lurks within their midst. This adds the danger and intrigue to the story.

The music is entertaining. Channing sings “Jazz Baby” and “Do it Again.” Andrews sings “Jimmy,” “Poor Butterfly,” “Baby Face,” and the title song. And they all get into the act with a new dance called “The Tapioca.”

If the white slavery aspect were not part of the story, this would be a film for everyone. It is rated G, however many parents might be a little put off by that one aspect. Otherwise, this is a fun, musical, and entertaining film that will have viewers humming along. It didn’t win an Academy Award for nothing!

The bonus features include the Roadshow Edition – Newly Restored in 4K by Universal Pictures.

Thoroughly Modern Millie is now available on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment industry for over 25 years. She also writes about products and travel. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as Internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, is the entertainment correspondent for Good Day Orange County, and has her own TV show, Beyond the Red Carpet, on Village Television in Orange County. She is a longstanding member of the Los Angeles Press Club and the Television Critics Association and is accredited by the MPAA. Follow her on Twitter.