Customer Reviews

Darling Lili (1970 Film)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been waiting for this one for quite some time. There is wonderful music from the movie...with several numbers that are not in the version that I've watched on American Movie Classics (a children's song and a beer drinking song). Unfortunately, the liner notes only give the storyline--not any other details. Julie Andrews' voice is at its peak. And the burlesque songs are fun to dance to in the privacy of your own home.

DARLING LILI was one of Julie Andrews' biggest flops, a movie musical about a German spy masquerading as a cabaret singer. Henry Mancini's score for the film (with lyrics by Johnny Mercer) is haunting, romantic and brilliant and includes the bittersweet ballad "Whistling Away the Dark".

Julie Andrews is, of course, fetching in everything she does, and DARLING LILI is no exception. Andrews infuses "Whistling Away the Dark" with a smokey timbre in her voice which she rarely utilised before or after this musical. She's also lovely in the jaunty musical-hall number "I'll Give You Three Guesses" and later gets raw and raunchy for the strip-tease version, also featured on this album.

"Smile Away Each Rainy Day" and "The Girl in No Man's Land" are both delivered exceptionally by Andrews; and Gloria Paul is featured in the number "Your Good-Will Ambassador".

Julie Andrews fans should snap up this album before the publisher decides to delete it. Amazon.com import this particular album, which is only available from the Spanish RCA-label.

Of all the Julie Andrews CDs I own (MARY POPPINS, SOUND OF MUSIC, CAMELOT, VICTOR/VICTORIA, & this one), DARLING LILI is the one by far. Julie shows such grace and versatility on this soundtrack. Her voice combined with the music of the master of music Henry Mancini ("Moon River," "Baby Elephant Walk," etc.) makes for the perfect soundtrack. The songs are positively haunting. "Whistling Away the Dark" is probably the best song Miss Andrews ever sang on film. The two different renditions of "I'll Give You Three Guesses" are each in there own way magnificent. There are some songs not featuring Julie Andrews. One song I love sung by the character Crepe Sousette is "Good Will Ambassador." The best instrumental piece is the one titled "Gypsy Violin." It's deep and makes an impact if you let it. Still, Julie Andrews really makes the album, but only by the good music of Henry Mancini. Again, an excellent CD.

Whether you liked the movie or not (I did but Rock Hudson was miscast, i.e., it bombed); the simply truth is Henry Mancini and Julie Andrews together is unbeatable. The song THE GIRL ON NO MAN'S LAND is worth the price of the CD alone .... only Mancini's/Andrews' I LIKE MY JAZZ HOT (Victor/Victoria) comes close to it. Get it before they're out of it. You can't purchase it in a store in USA. They (AMAZON) are importing it from Spain.

I will never understand why this movie has not done better thru the years. At the very least the soundtrack should be a part of everyones "easy listening" collection. It took quite a while to find but it was well worth the wait. I must admit finding this album would certainly have been expedited had I remembered how to spell Lili ! ! !

I don't feel the sound is as crisp as it could be (it wasn't crisp on the vinyl either) but I believe the performances easily push this album to 5 stars.

I currently have two vinyl copies of this soundtrack originally from 1969...one opened and one not! Now to know it has been formatted to the digital domain was worth the wait! Ms. Andrews sparkles with a bubbly shine on all vocals as well as not appearing forced when committing to the darker tones of "Whistling..." The songs that some think were added were from the children sing-a-longing during an extended cue with Hudson and Andrews enjoying countryside and picnics...she even has a tra-la-la segue that's in the movie and not the lp! Oh well...beggar's can't be choosers.....! And my begging paid off!
Kudos to the forces of nature that brought this to fruition! Many thanks...!!!!

I too remember this soundtrack from the 70's. The movie was so so but the music was great and is stunning. The music fits Ms. Andrews to a T. She was of course in the 70's right in her prime and one of the best examples of her talent on record.
The sound of the recording is good, the songs range from full orchestra to violin all Mancini. "Whistling in The Dark" is worth the price of the CD alone. AND "The Girl in No Mans Land" is breathtaking. If you adore Julie Andrews and dont't have this CD you are missing out on some good stuff here.

This CD contains music, mostly by Henry Mancini, one of my favorite composers. Then the songs by Julie Andrews are wonderful!! It works well for me in my car when I am traveling. Easy listening and yet nice to use as a sing along.

This is one of the best soundtracks ever, although it is packaged poorly. Julie's voice has never been better! "Whistling In The Dark" is so hauntingly beautiful, and the other songs are very memorable. Buy this CD before it goes out of print!

The combination of Henry Mancini and Julie Andrews -- face it, you can't top it. Whether you have the movie or not (nor what you think of the movie ... I liked it; Rock Hudson was simply unbelievable as the romantic interest) you should get this CD before they are out of them.