Our Holiday Favorites: Fitzwilly
Fitzwilly is an underrated, oft-ignored Delbert Mann film from 1967. It might be a cult classic if slightly more people knew about it! I first heard about the comedy through a family friend eight or nine years ago, and I loved it at first viewing. The movie can be watched year-round, but I prefer to wait until December.
Dick Van Dyke plays butler Fitzwilly to Miss Vicki (Edith Evans), a generous benefactress who has no idea of her true financial standing (she's almost broke). He leads her doting staff, compiled of fantastic character actors (John McGiver as Albert is a particular favorite of mine) and soon-to-be-big-names (Sam Waterston plays the chauffeur in one of his first film roles). To keep Miss Vicki in the style to which she is accustomed, Fitzwilly is running several con games. One thing may throw a wrench in his plans -- Miss Vicki decides to write a dictionary for people who can't spell and hires a secretary from Columbia, Juliet (Barbara Feldon, aka 99 from Get Smart).
The relevant-to-Christmas part involves a scheme to rob a department store and the many ways Miss Vicki's staff create mayhem on the store floor. Boy Scouts (they're called Platypi in this movie) sing carols in front of exit doors, a French chef goes around pinching people, a member of the staff just walks around popping umbrellas open -- it's hilarity of the screwball variety, and it makes me laugh out loud every time.
There is an unfortunate song used during Fitzwilly and Juliet's dating scene (called "Make Me Rainbows," yeesh). However! The movie's score is by a young Johnny Williams, before he started going by John. And honestly, the film is so wonderful otherwise that I tend to forget that one small point against it. The script is chock full of wit, the cast is wonderful; I really don't know why this film isn't better-known.
Want to watch? Sadly unavailable in local DVD rental stores, you can watch Fitzwilly through Netflix Instantly. If you have cable, TCM will be showing the film on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 8:45 pm.