Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967)

Millie comes to town in the roaring twenties to encounter flappers, sexuality and white slavers.

Director:

George Roy Hill

Writer:

Richard Morris

Stars:

Julie Andrews, James Fox, Mary Tyler Moore

Won 1 Oscar. Another 4 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Julie Andrews	...	Millie Dillmount
James Fox	...	Jimmy Smith
Mary Tyler Moore	...	Miss Dorothy Brown
Carol Channing	...	Muzzy Van Hossmere
John Gavin	...	Trevor Graydon
Jack Soo	...	Oriental #1
Pat Morita	...	Oriental #2
Philip Ahn	...	Tea
Anthony Dexter	...	Juarez
Cavada Humphrey	...	Miss Flannery
Herbie Faye	...	Taxi Driver
Michael St. Clair	...	Baron Richter
Lisabeth Hush	...	Judith Tremaine
Ann Dee	...	Singer
Beatrice Lillie	...	Mrs. Meers

Storyline

In 1922 New York City, Millie Dillmount and Miss Dorothy Brown are just two of the girls living at the Priscilla Hotel for Single Young Ladies run by Mrs. Meers. Orphaned, Miss Dorothy, just recently arrived, is a naive, old-fashioned girl from a seemingly privileged background who has aspirations to be a stage actress. From more modest means, Millie, in New York for three months, used to be old fashioned, but now has a new modern sensibility and look to match, complete with bobbed hair and dresses with hemlines above the knee. Included in this new modern sensibility is Millie's goal of getting a job as a stenographer, with a quick promotion to being her wealthy boss' "Mrs.". Love is not to factor into the equation. She believes she's found the right employer in the form of chisel-jawed Trevor Graydon of the Sincere Trust Insurance Company. Millie's pursuit of Mr. Graydon is despite the fact that Mr. Graydon sees her as one of the boys, he has old fashioned sensibilities, and Millie ...

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Plot Keywords:

stenographer | white slaver | 1920s | character name in title | pulling on someone's ears | 

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Taglines:

Julie as you love her... in the happiest motion picture hit of the year!

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

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Certificate:

G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish French German Italian Hebrew

Release Date:

22 March 1967 (USA)

Also Known As:

Millie

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$34,335,025

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$40,000,000, 31 December 1968

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ross Hunter Productions, Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

138 min 153 min (roadshow)

Sound Mix:

70 mm 6-Track (Westrex Recording System) (70 mm prints) Mono (35 mm prints) 4-Track Stereo (35 mm magnetic prints)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The interior theatre audience, with the main characters seated in the front opera box, was filmed on Universal Studios' stage 28 permanent oldest stage set in existence in Hollywood's history, the original 1925 and 1943 remake of The Phantom of the Opera (1925) feature film. The same set had been used the previous year, 1966, for the final sequence of Alfred Hitchcock's feature spy film the Torn Curtain (1966).

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Goofs

When Muzzy is flying through the air after being shot from a cannon. She has on a silver colored suit and helmet. After she lands on the stage the suit and helmet are both gold colored.

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Quotes

Muzzy Van Hossmere: [seeing Millie in tears] Oh! Moderns don't cry.
Millie Dillmount: No. No, of course not.
Muzzy Van Hossmere: Now Millie, I must apologize for my guest. Judith is a rude and spoiled young lady. You must not let her upset you.
Millie Dillmount: Oh Muzzy, I'm so mixed up, so confused. It's not only Miss Tremaine, though she did read me right. I am a working girl, and a boob.
Muzzy Van Hossmere: Well, there's certainly nothing wrong with being a working girl. I was a working girl myself in the chorus, but I wasn't a boob.
Millie Dillmount: No, you married well, and that's exactly my plan, ...
[...]

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Alternate Versions

On some video releases of Thoroughly Modern Millie, the Overture is cut out.

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Connections

Referenced in 3 Women (1977)

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Soundtracks

Bridal Chorus
(uncredited)
from "Lohengrin"
Music by Richard Wagner

User Reviews

An enjoyable family film that balances slapstick with surrealism

If you got to see this film when you were six like I did, you pleasantly discover that viewing it at 33 is still a lot of fun. In many ways it's better- contrary to most films you remember enjoying as a kid. Even though my nostalgic memories of this movie included some mildly scary imagery, when I view it now it still has impact but from a more humorous standpoint. I must also add on a more base level that Julie Andrews level of attractiveness is on par with her considerable talent. An interesting observation particularly since I remember being more attracted to Mary Tyler Moore when I was a kid and barely noticed Julie. The director's intention no doubt. Digressions aside, this movie is an ideal choice for a family movie night. Although it has aspects that are not as culturally sensitive as some may like, these details are not intended to be malicious but are included as contrast devices. Particularly for 1967. Do yourself a favor and rent or purchase the DVD. A widescreen treat that will get your feet tapping. The child and the middle aged man in me must both give this film a 9 out of 10.