George Roy Hill directed Thoroughly Modern Millie, a light, campy musical set the 1920s, which mixes pop standards with new tunes written by Sammy Cahn and James Van Heusen.
Julie Andrews stars as Millie Dillmount, a young woman who comes to New York is search of a secretarial job and an unattached boss.
She moves into a hotel for women, run by kindly Mrs. Meers (British comedienne Beatrice Lillie), and she befriends the pretty, petite orphan Dorothy Brown (Mary Tyler Moore).
Millie finds work with the handsome bachelor Trevor Graydon (John Gavin), but Trevor has his eyes on Dorothy. So does Mrs. Meers, who despite her kindly exterior is an unscrupulous femme.
The good hearted paper clip salesman Jimmy Smith (James Fox) pledges his undying love to Millie. One day, after attending a weekend party being given at the opulent Long Island mansion of Muzzy Van Hossmere (Carol Channing), Dorothy disappears.
When Jimmy and Millie smell opium in Dorothy’s room, they realize the awful truth about Mrs. Meers. Trying to rescue Dorothy and find the location of Mrs. Meers’ hideout, Jimmy disguises himself as an orphaned woman and tries to get himself kidnapped.
The scheme backfires and Mrs. Meers drugs and kidnaps both Jimmy and Trevor. Assuming power and courage, Millie frees her friends from bondage and save the day.
Despite the competition from the other actresses, the film belongs to the charming Julie Andrews, who dominate every scene she is in, whether singing, dancing, or just being.
Oscar Nominations: 7
Original Music: Elmer Bernstein
Supporting Actress: Carol Channing
Art Decoration-Set Decoration: Alexander Golitzen and George C.Webb; Howard Bristol
Sound: Universal Department of Music
Song: Thoroughly Modern Millie, music and lyrics by James Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn
Scoring of Music: Andre Previn and Joseph Gershenson
Costume Design: Jean Louis
Oscar Awards: 1
Original Music
Oscar Context
MPAA: G
Running time: 138 minutes.
Directed by George Roy Hill
Released: June 14, 1967
DVD: June 3, 2003
