This movie is an absolute classic and was SUCH a huge part of my childhood & my mother's childhood. (age 31 & 57)
When I was younger I would tell my mom that I wanted to be Carol Channing's character and that someday I would be so rich that I could entertain ALL of my hobbies and more. She boxes, she sings, she dances, she flies planes, plays instruments, does acrobatics while singing and flying through the air.... and she flirts with every man on her staff. Millie was the main character, but Muzzy was the baddest b*tch of them all.
Julie Andrews, as usual... amazing. Mary Tyler Moore? Same. The whole movie? Gold.
Now time for the disclaimer:
This movie has some very extreme stereotypes of Chinese people, and literally scared my sheltered white + blonde mom in 1972 into thinking she was going to be sold into slavery... (she was 9). BUT... I can say this. It has also been the catalyst for some INTENSE conversations about race and stereotypes in my family with my mom & her parents. It is a reflection of how people being "complacent" to racism, especially through humor, WERE ALSO PERPETUATING RACISM.
Truly, there is no excuse for how bad some parts are...
You can say, oh it was the 60's! And, Oh they're just pretending it's the 20's! But the racism is there... and those parts, and the use of Chinese people as the butt of jokes, is not funny.
The only thing I can say (still not making an excuse!) and SPOILER WARNING:
Young people are changing. When I was about 8 or 9 and singing and dancing to this music everyday, I apparently told my mother that I was really unhappy with 2 things:
1. Why did they have to lump Chinese people in with evil Mrs.Meers? It makes them look bad. She was a super bad lady & she wasn't even Chinese! (Turns out Beatrice Lillie IS a British woman that the movie tries to play off as Chinese!! Having her yell at her assistants in horribly racist fake Chinese. I was NOT having it)
2. What might come off as a racist excuse (& was probably seen by the creators of this movie as a justification for the racism...) was the key factor into my little mind finding some enlightenment: NOT ALL CHINESE PEOPLE ARE BAD. There are good people and bad people. The movie ends with everyone being SAVED by a Chinese person. So yes, what may have started as a justification of "SEE we made one of them nice!" gave me this complex.....
There are really horrible white people.
And really kind white people.
There are really horrible people of every color, race, and background... (Like a British New Yorker pretending to be Chinese?)
And there are amazing people, of every color, race, and background.
Again, does that make this movie not racist? NO!
Will I stop watching it? No.
I will continue to keep it around to
1. REMIND US how freaking racist we were, NOT THAT LONG AGO. and
2. To remember that people can change.
(Oh and also 3. Because the music and silliness is unbeatable)
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Thoroughly Modern Millie
IMDb6.9/10.0
| Format | NTSC |
| Contributor | Julie Andrews, George Roy Hill, Carol Channing, Mary Tyler Moore |
| Language | English |
| Runtime | 2 hours and 18 minutes |
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Product details
- Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : No
- MPAA rating : G (General Audience)
- Package Dimensions : 7.5 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches; 0.01 Ounces
- Media Format : NTSC
- Run time : 2 hours and 18 minutes
- Actors : Julie Andrews, Mary Tyler Moore, Carol Channing, George Roy Hill
- Studio : MCA/Universal
- ASIN : 6300181456
- Customer Reviews:
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4.8 out of 5 stars
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Old School but GREAT!!!
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2022
Lots of GREAT actors
Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2022
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Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on August 1, 2020
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Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on January 29, 2003
"Thoroughly Modern Millie" is a reminder that once upon a time in Hollywood singing stars made B-musicals. Here is a classic example from the career of Julie Andrews that reminds us her career was not all mega-hits like "Sound of Music" and super-flops like "Star." Unfortunately for lovers of musicals Hollywood stopped marking movies like this, leaving singing stars with Olivia Newton-John with a smash like "Grease" and a bomb like "Xanadu" with nothing in between. I also have fond memories of "Thorough Modern Millie" because it was a movie that was shown to us in class in high school; the reason why we were allowed this privilege is beyond me, unless we were supposed to get an appreciation of the Roaring Twenties from this film (so why did they show us the original version of "The Blob?").
Our flapper heroine is Millie Dillmount (Andrews), who has decided to be a "mod" and turned in her long curls for a stylish bob. Her goal in life is to marry her boss and after interviewing several possibilities she hits the jackpot with Trevor Graydon (John Gavin), who hires her as his stenog and calls Millie "John" (as in "Johnny on the spot"). Millie likes young Jimmy (James Fox), who impresses her by inventing a new dance called the Tapioca and being a swell kisser, but he is poor and Millie has her ambitions. Millie's best gal-al is Miss Dorothy (Mary Tyler Moore), who is sweet, innocent, and has lots of curls.
However, the life of Millie and her friends are caught between two imposing characters. At the hotel for young women where Millie lives there is Mrs. Meers (Beatrice Lillie), who is always looking out for young girls who are "all alone in the world," like Miss Dorothy, who could be of use to a Chinese White Slavery ring. But Millie also encounters an unstoppable force for life in the person of the irrepressible Muzzy (Carol Channing), who lives the good life at her Long Island "Cottage" estate and pops up at key moments throughout the narrative.
The movie is not a great musical, mainly because it does not have any really great songs (as evidenced by the fact that the current Broadway musical has almost entirely new songs), but it is still great fun. Director George Roy Hill takes advantage of Andrews' comic flair and the film has great fun with her double takes and comic title cards as Millie periodically comments on the proceedings. The movie does employ stereotypes of the Chinese, but you have to admit these are balanced between the comic relief of Mrs. Meers' henchmen (Jack Soo and Pat Morita) and the wise old Tea (Philip Ahn).
"Thoroughly Modern Millie" won an Oscar for music and Channing was nominated for supporting role (she won a Golden Globe for her efforts, were clearly tailored to her style). But Lillie is a delight as well and I personally enjoy Gavin's mock-heroic performance. Moore just has to look sweet, although she does get to say a bad word (!), and Fox is charming although clearly too young for Andrews. Unfortunately the debacle of "Star" pretty much derailed Andrews' musical career in Hollywood, which is a loss because the comic flair she shows here is the same that she showcased in films like "Victor, Victoria" a couple of decades later. The good news is that the Broadway show will bring this film back to the public's notice; I am sure that is the reason I have spent the morning watch the film on TV.
Our flapper heroine is Millie Dillmount (Andrews), who has decided to be a "mod" and turned in her long curls for a stylish bob. Her goal in life is to marry her boss and after interviewing several possibilities she hits the jackpot with Trevor Graydon (John Gavin), who hires her as his stenog and calls Millie "John" (as in "Johnny on the spot"). Millie likes young Jimmy (James Fox), who impresses her by inventing a new dance called the Tapioca and being a swell kisser, but he is poor and Millie has her ambitions. Millie's best gal-al is Miss Dorothy (Mary Tyler Moore), who is sweet, innocent, and has lots of curls.
However, the life of Millie and her friends are caught between two imposing characters. At the hotel for young women where Millie lives there is Mrs. Meers (Beatrice Lillie), who is always looking out for young girls who are "all alone in the world," like Miss Dorothy, who could be of use to a Chinese White Slavery ring. But Millie also encounters an unstoppable force for life in the person of the irrepressible Muzzy (Carol Channing), who lives the good life at her Long Island "Cottage" estate and pops up at key moments throughout the narrative.
The movie is not a great musical, mainly because it does not have any really great songs (as evidenced by the fact that the current Broadway musical has almost entirely new songs), but it is still great fun. Director George Roy Hill takes advantage of Andrews' comic flair and the film has great fun with her double takes and comic title cards as Millie periodically comments on the proceedings. The movie does employ stereotypes of the Chinese, but you have to admit these are balanced between the comic relief of Mrs. Meers' henchmen (Jack Soo and Pat Morita) and the wise old Tea (Philip Ahn).
"Thoroughly Modern Millie" won an Oscar for music and Channing was nominated for supporting role (she won a Golden Globe for her efforts, were clearly tailored to her style). But Lillie is a delight as well and I personally enjoy Gavin's mock-heroic performance. Moore just has to look sweet, although she does get to say a bad word (!), and Fox is charming although clearly too young for Andrews. Unfortunately the debacle of "Star" pretty much derailed Andrews' musical career in Hollywood, which is a loss because the comic flair she shows here is the same that she showcased in films like "Victor, Victoria" a couple of decades later. The good news is that the Broadway show will bring this film back to the public's notice; I am sure that is the reason I have spent the morning watch the film on TV.
72 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 8, 2022
One of the better musicals with Julie Andrew's and a great cast
One person found this helpful
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Happy Customer
1.0 out of 5 stars
£20 down the drain!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on October 1, 2021
I have had this on DVD for years and was pleased to this the Blu ray version so I ordered it immediately.
It's the only musical I can sit through from start to finish! Just one major problem. It's Region A!
Surely after years of being in business, would it be too much to ask that all your Blue rays are clearly shown with the correct area? Oh Well, another trip to the charity shop beckons. I have no time to faff around sending it back for a refund.
It's the only musical I can sit through from start to finish! Just one major problem. It's Region A!
Surely after years of being in business, would it be too much to ask that all your Blue rays are clearly shown with the correct area? Oh Well, another trip to the charity shop beckons. I have no time to faff around sending it back for a refund.
7 people found this helpful
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Eric H.
5.0 out of 5 stars
CLASSIC SCREWBALL MUSICAL!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on January 30, 2018
I purchased the soundtrack sometime ago and now I have this remastered dvd safely in my collection! Whatever did we do before Amazon?! It’s wonderful to retrieve favourite films like this.
I never get tired of watching this hilarious musical. Apparently Julie Andrews was instrumental in coaxing the indefatigable Beatrice Lillie out of retirement to play ‘Mrs Meers’, the devious slave-trading ‘house mother’ of the ‘Ladies Only’ hotel, where the story opens.
This great character actress gives what can only be described as the performance of her long and distinguished career. Thwarted by Andrews at every turn, it’s a joy to watch her ploys to dope the lovely Mary Tyler Moore come to nothing! The Broadway star Carol Channing brings her special brand of zaniness to to the party. James Fox and the handsome John Gavin do their best to compete with their female stars, but it’s Andrews who keeps the whole thing together as the redoubtable ‘Millie’. All the components - music, songs, choreography and dialogue blend into a film which is just pure entertainment!
A great addition to any collection.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
I never get tired of watching this hilarious musical. Apparently Julie Andrews was instrumental in coaxing the indefatigable Beatrice Lillie out of retirement to play ‘Mrs Meers’, the devious slave-trading ‘house mother’ of the ‘Ladies Only’ hotel, where the story opens.
This great character actress gives what can only be described as the performance of her long and distinguished career. Thwarted by Andrews at every turn, it’s a joy to watch her ploys to dope the lovely Mary Tyler Moore come to nothing! The Broadway star Carol Channing brings her special brand of zaniness to to the party. James Fox and the handsome John Gavin do their best to compete with their female stars, but it’s Andrews who keeps the whole thing together as the redoubtable ‘Millie’. All the components - music, songs, choreography and dialogue blend into a film which is just pure entertainment!
A great addition to any collection.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
9 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
1.0 out of 5 stars
REGION A DISC
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on February 11, 2022
Very disappointed that this disc is REGION A and WILL NOT play on a MULTI-REGION player. There is no mention on the Amazon listing that this is a Region A disc (other than in 1 review). That, as far as I am concerned is a review and not part of the “official” listing. The seller said if I kept it they would knock off 20%. What would be the point of keeping a disc that doesn’t play? I received a full refund from the seller but only after the intervention of AMAZON CUSTOMER SERVICES!
THANK YOU AMAZON FOR PROTECTING MY CASH!
THANK YOU AMAZON FOR PROTECTING MY CASH!
One person found this helpful
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Anne B
5.0 out of 5 stars
A timeless classic!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on August 6, 2021
I’ve loved this film ever since I was a child. Julie Andrews is superb in it. Great supporting cast too. It’s such a feel good film with so much fun, a bit of seriousness with regards to the white slave trade theme, great dancing/singing/costumes. I never tire of watching it. 10/10
2 people found this helpful
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NSG
5.0 out of 5 stars
Still A Great Film
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on July 23, 2016
My wife loves this film and I ordered it for her to watch after she had surgery. The DVD arrived promptly and in good condition.
This is a real fun film even though it is years old and still very funny in places despite repeated viewings. My wife loved it - my only real disappointment was that I couldn't find a blu-Ray version but that is the film companies fault.
The image quality is decent and the film is a must own.
Definitely recommended
This is a real fun film even though it is years old and still very funny in places despite repeated viewings. My wife loved it - my only real disappointment was that I couldn't find a blu-Ray version but that is the film companies fault.
The image quality is decent and the film is a must own.
Definitely recommended
5 people found this helpful
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