Thoroughly Modern Millie on DVD

Julie Andrews sparkles in the title role of this broad spoof of the Roaring Twenties directed by George Roy Hill.

She’s Millie, of course, an independent young woman determined to take on The Big City and wrestle it to the ground, and in the process land herself a successful husband and "happily ever after" life. She lives in a hotel for young ladies, a place that also happens to be where a white slavery ring grabs unsuspecting single young woman for shipment to the brothels of the orient.

Over the annoyingly catchy title tune, Millie makes herself over to be a modern girl, then lands a job as secretary to a man’s man (John Gavin) and befriends the innocent-looking Miss Dorothy (the splendid Mary Tyler Moore) while eventually finding true love in a most unexpected place.

James Fox is also on hand as Jimmy, who Millie thinks is a paper clip salesman and is therefore too low for her sights. She’s after Trevor (Gavin), but he ends up smitten by Miss Dorothy, much to Millie’s chagrin, while unbeknownst to Miss Dorothy she’s the next target of the white slavers led by the hotel manager (Beatrice Lillie).

Oh, and one can’t forget Muzzy (Carol Channing) a rich widow with a heart of gold and a sense of adventure, who’s introduced to Millie and Miss Dorothy by Jimmy and who becomes their good friend.

And watch for Jack Soo (Yemana from “Barney Miller”) and Pat Morita (Arnold from “Happy Days”) as mugging white slavers.

The comedy is wonderfully broad, the broads are wonderfully comic, and Gavin and Fox get the opportunity to mug their way happily through a send-up in which everyone appears to be having a simply splendid time.

Oh, yeah, there are a few musical numbers, too, though it’s hard to consider Thoroughly Modern Millie a typical musical. Its score did win an Oscar, however, for its joyful tappingness.

Andrews is wonderful, blending strength and chutzpah with uncharacteristic (as far as most of her movies are concerned) sexiness. Mary Tyler Moore looks great and her performance as the supposedly innocent fish out of water Miss Dorothy is also wonderful. Fox and Gavin are engaging as well, and Channing has lots of fun with an over the top performance that’s just as over the top as it should be.

The DVD is pretty good, too. It’s presented in anamorphic widescreen, 16x9 TV compatible, and the picture quality is very good - good enough that some of the matte lines really show up! Audio is Dolby Digital surround and while there’s a distinct lack of surround you do get some nice stereo from the orchestra.

Extras? Just the trailer and some recommendations of other Universal titles, alas.

Thoroughly Modern Millie, from Universal Home Video
152 min. anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1), 16x9 TV compatible, Dolby Digital surround
Starring Julie Andrews, Mary Tyler Moore, James Fox, John Gavin and Carol Channing
Produced by Ross Hunter
Written by Richard Morris, Directed by George Roy Hill

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