Tuesday 21 March 2023

THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE (COMBO BLU-RAY + DVD, ELEPHANT FILMS)

[Favourite of the Month] Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967) is a joyfully entertaining American musical film directed by George Roy Hill and starring the great Julie Andrews. 

It is now available in France in an indispensable combo Blu-Ray/DVD (All Zone) from Elephant Films. 

Thoroughly Modern Millie was born from an idea of Ross Hunter, a Hollywood mogul associated with Universal. For the studio, he produced the Douglas Sirk melodramas Magnificent Obsession (1954) and Imitation of Life (1959) and the Rock Hudson-Doris Day comedies Pillow Talk (1959), Lover Come Back (1961) and  Send Me No Flowers (1964). Hunter wanted to make a movie based on The Boy Friend, a 1953 West End musical set in the "Roaring Twenties". The Boy Friend opened on Broadway the following year and marked the American debut of English actress and singer Julie Andrews. Andrews starred in Broadway musicals My Fair Lady (1956) and Camelot (1960) before becoming a household name with the film Mary Poppins (1964). She  confirmed her movie star status with The Sound of Music (1965) and Torn Curtain (1966).  

Ross Hunter finally gave up buying the rights of The Boy Friend from MGM (which tried to adapt it in 1956) because too expensive and decided to do his own version, with Julie Andrews in the main role... Thoroughly Modern Millie, a musical comedy whose development was announced as of 1964. Richard Morris (The Unsikable Molly Brown, a 1960 musical) wrote the script and the casting of Julie Andrews was confirmed in 1966. George Roy Hill, who directed Peter Sellers in The World of Henry Orient (1964) and Julie Andrews in Hawaii (1966), was hired to helm the movie. Mary Tyler Moore (The Dick Van Dyke Show), Carol Channing (the musical Hello Dolly), James Fox (The Chase, The Servant), John Gavin (Spartacus, Psycho) and Beatrice Lillie joined the main cast. Elmer Bernstein (The Great Escape, The Magnificent Seven) composed the music and André Previn scored the musical numbers. The original songs were composed by Sammy Cahn and James Van Heusen (who worked for Frank Sinatra) and Jay Thompson. There are standards of the 1910s and 1920s too, such as Jazz Baby

New York City, 1922. Millie Dillmount (Julie Andrews) is a young independent woman who wants to become a stenographer to a rich boss and then marry him. She befriends a naive aspiring actress named Miss Dorothy Brown (Mary Tyler Moore). Miss Dorothy checks into the hotel where Millie lives, the Priscilla Hotel for single ladies. She tells Mrs Meers, the hotel house mother (Beatrice Lillie), she's an orphan. Millie and Dorothy ignore that Mrs Meers runs a white slavery ring. At a dance, Millie meets Jimmy Smith (James Fox), a carefree paper clip salesman who borrowed his employer's roadster. After a crazy ride in the streets they kiss but Millie is determined to pursue her goal. She finds a job at Sincere Trust Insurance and decides that she'll marry her new boss, Trevor Graydon (John Gavin). Later, Jimmy introduces Millie and Miss Dorothy to the wealthy and eccentric Long Island widow Muzzy Van Hossmere (Carol Channing). Neville Phillips, co-author of a British stage musical called Chrysanthemum (1956), noted some similarities between  the latter and the plot of Thoroughly Modern Millie

Julie Andrews shines in this $6.000.000 pastiche of the 1920s. Her tap dance with the charming Mary Tyler Moore's is one of the highlights of the film. From 1970 to 1977, Moore starred in The Mary Tyler Moore Show, a sitcom she produced through her company MTM Enterprises (founded in 1969 with her then husband at the time Grant Tinker). MTM was behind hits like The Bob Newhart Show (1972-1978) or Hill Street Blues (1981-1987). The excellent James Fox doesn't sing in Thoroughly Modern Millie, because it's actually Jimmy Bryant who provided the singing voice of Jimmy Smith (1). Carol Channing is divine and John Gavin, a frequent leading man for Ross Hunter, does self-parody with perfection. Beatrice Lillie, dubbed "the funniest woman in the world", plays a live action Wile E. Coyote. Cavada Humphrey is hilarious as Miss Flannery, the office manager. 

George Roy Hill creatively plays with silent movie intertitles, pays homage to Harold Lloyd and has fun with biplanes. Not only the director studied music at university but he had his pilot license. After the success of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), Hill returned to the 1920s with both The Sting (1973) and the aviation film The Great Waldo Pepper (1975). The running gags of Thoroughly Modern Millie (the laundry basket, the elevator, the taxi...) are irresistible. Choreographer Joe Layton helmed the splendid musical sequences, assisted with Jay Thompson and Buddy Schwab. Though the movie was shot mostly in the Universal backlot, the sets by Alexander Golitzen and George C. Webb (with Howard Bristol) are absolutely superb.  French costume designer Jean Louis designed the gowns. Cinematographer Russell Metty was briefly replaced by Russell Harlan (uncredited). Stuart Gilmore edited the film.   

The depiction of the Chinese community in Thoroughly Modern Millie definitely didn't age well. Mrs Meers's henchmen (credited "Oriental 1" and "Oriental 2") are in fact played by two American actors of Japanese origin, Jack Soo and Noriyuki "Pat" Morita. Soo was a singer and actor later known for his role of Detective Nick Yemana in 101 episodes of Barney Miller (1975-1982). Pat Morita rose to fame as Matsuo "Arnold" Takahashi in several seasons of Happy Days (1974-1984). He became a pop culture icon as Mr. Miyagi in the Karate Kid movies. Morita was also Ohara in the eponymous series (1987-1988). Korean-American Philip Ahn plays Tea, Muzzy's head butler. He's remembered for the character of Master Kan in Kung Fu (1972-1975). The gorgeous Technicolor of the enchanting Thoroughly Modern Millie is duly celebrated in the combo Blue Ray/DVD from Elephant Films. This is the "Roadshow" edition (141 minutes), with the overture, intermission and exit music.  

The film is in English and in French (with French and English subtitles). Bonus material consists of an interview with movie critic and American cinema specialist Samuel Blumenfeld, an interview with cinema specialist Gilles Gressard, a trailer of Thoroughly Modern Millie and the trailers of some other titles of Elephant Films in the same collection: Isadora (1968) and the recently released Mary, Queen of Scots (1971) and Follow Me! (1972). The long time collaboration between Ross Hunter and Universal ended in 1970. The Boy Friend became a MGM film in 1971 and Thoroughly Modern Millie was turned into a musical in 2002. 

(1) Jimmy Bryant was also the singing voice of Richard Beymer in West Side Story (1961).

https://fr.shopping.rakuten.com/mfp/shop/9231629/millie?pid=10079840263&sellerLogin=ElephantFilm&fbclid=IwAR19rVF2GmO_hgl95sandlBzBtA9gYN2FszmADMbWGe99lIXHiVxFAY2CcY
http://www.elephantfilms.com/
https://fr.shopping.rakuten.com/boutique/ElephantFilm
 
See also:
 
https://maxmcmanus.com/2018/09/13/the-maker-of-the-most-glamorous-films-of-the-fifties-and-sixties-a-ross-hunter-production/
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/carol-channing-dead-hello-dolly-broadway-age-died-thoroughly-modern-millie-gentlemen-prefer-blondes-a8730691.html

Wednesday 8 March 2023

THE OLD FOX (DER ALTE) - SEASON 12 ON DVD (ELEPHANT FILMS)

Season 12 of the long-running German crime drama The Old Fox (Der Alte) is now available in France on DVD in the "Le Renard - Intégrale saison 12" boxset from Elephant Films (All Zone, 12 episodes).

Der Alte ("The Old Man") was launched in 1977 on ZDF by producer Helmut Ringelmann as the successor to Der Kommissar, the popular series made by his company Neue Münchner Fernsehproduktion for the pubcaster. Set in Munich, Der Kommissar ran from 1969 to 1976 and starred Erik Ode as Kommissar Herbert Keller. The first Freitagskrimi (1) of the channel lasted 97 episodes, all penned by Herbert Reinecker. The scriptwriter also wrote each of the 281 episodes of Derrick, a crime drama devised by Ringelmann and Reinecker as an alternative to Der Kommissar (2)though set in Munich too and aired on ZDF from 1974 to 1998
 
Produced by Neue Münchner for ZDF, ORF (Austria) and SRG (Switzerland), Der Alte employed several authors. Writer and producer Hans Gottschalk (Raumpatrouille Orion) conceived the main character, Hauptkommissar Erwin Köster (3) of the Munich Mordkommission II (Homicide Squad II). Siegfried Lowitz, a familiar face from the Edgar Wallace movies, became the "new Kommissar". Erwin Köster was given assistants: Gerd Heymann, played by Michael Ande (Fußballtrainer Wulff, Treasure Island), and Martin Brenner (Jan Hendriks, another Edgar Wallace regular) (4). Der Alte premiered on Easter 1977 with a pilot titled Die Dienstreise, written by Oliver Storz (Raumpatrouille Orion) & Jochen Wedegärtner (Graf Yoster gibt sich die Ehre) and directed by Johannes Schaaf. 
 
Karl Heinz Willschrei, one of the scriptwriters of the series, co-created Ein Fall für zwei (1981-2013) for ZDF. At the end of 1984, Siegfried Lowitz expressed his desire to leave Der Alte with the 100th episode (aired in January 1986) and return to theatre. Helmut Ringelmann gave the role of the new boss of Mordkomission II, Hauptkommissar Leo Kress, to Rolf Schimpf. Ringelmann noticed the actor in Der Sheriff von Lisenbach (1984) and first hired him in Mensch Bachmann, a family series he produced the same year. Schimpf was no stranger to the crime genre because he played Waldi Zeldmann in  SOKO 5113 since 1978. Gerd Heymann remained but Martin Brenner got transferred. The Polizeiarzt  ("police doctor") played by Ulf J. Sohmisch since 1983 stayed a few years more but never got a proper name.
 
Leo Kress came from Augsburg with his own assistant, Henry Johnson. This black detective (a first in the history of German TV) was based on a real-life black investigator from the Munich police named Raimund Eichner and he was portrayed by Charles M. Huber (credited Charly Muhamed Huber). A new theme intro, composed by Eberhard Schoener, replaced the theme by Peter Thomas. Sold in more than 100 countries, Der  Alte arrived in France in 1987 as Le Renard and is still aired today (on France 3). The "Le Renard - Intégrale Saison 12" 6-disc DVD boxset contains the 12 episodes of this absolutely perfect 12th season, shown on ZDF between January and December 1988. Helmut Ringelmann liked to work with a quasi-repertory company of guest actors, who often appeared twice in the same season (in different roles).

- Kein gutes Ende. The owner of a supermarket is blackmailed. A young man dies because of a jar of pickles poisoned with cyanide. An excellent episode written by Volker Vogeler and directed by Eberhard Itzenplitz. Bettina Redlich returns as Leo's daughter Sabine Kress. With Horst Sachtleben (Werner Meridit), Sebastian Koch (Hansi Wallner), Jessica Kosmalla (Hilda Wallner). Ulrich Matschoss, best known as the boss of Schimanski in Tatort, plays Schmetterling.

- Schweigen für immer. A man about to meet the prosecutor dies from a heart attack after his kidnapping. The kidnapper gets rid of the body but a young woman sees him. Scriptwriter  Bruno Hampel borrowed most of the story of this brilliant episode from his own work for an episode of Kommissar Freytag (1963-1966). With Walter Renneisen (Max Brandstetter), Ben Becker (Markus Pagel), Henry van Lyck (Arno Tucher), etc. Directed by Theodor Grädler.

- Der Tod kommt sellten allein. The recovery of some stolen jewelry is interrupted by a bomb explosion. Once again, an excellent episode written by Volker Vogeler and helmed by Eberhard Itzenplitz. Guest starring Daniela Ziegler (Vanessa Telt), Peter Bongartz (Peter Nordmann), Ralf Schermuly (Fred Bugat), etc. Leonard Lansink (Willsberg) appears in a small role.

- Eiskalt geplant. Karla Unruh is found hanged. She was terminally ill and her husband had a mistress. Christa-Maria Bandmann devised a clever plot for the first of the 17 episodes she penned for Der Alte. With Gerd Böckmann (Matthias Unruh), Marianne Wentwich (Karla Unruh), Sabine Kaack (SOKO 5113) as Solveigh Björklund, etc. Music by Martin Böttcher (the Winnetou movies). Directed by Günter Gräwert.

- Um jeden Preis. Secretary Rita Steeger is taking pictures of the plans of a submarine when she's surprised by the private investigator hired by her company. A spy thriller written by Volker Vogeler and helmed by Wolfgang Becker. The guest cast is impressive: Christine Buchegger (Aus dem Leben der Marionetten) as Rita, Karl-Heinz Vosgerau (Dr. Hensold), the great Hans-Michael Rehberg (Johan Altig), Swiss actor Christian Kohlund (Der Zürich-Krimi, Black Forest Clinic) as Lars Lindström and Horst Sachtleben (Hans Passauer).

- Brief eines Toten. The personal assistant of a best-selling author dies in the explosion of his caravan. Adolf Schröder and Günter Gräwert penned this excellent episode directed by Gräwert. With Sonja Sutter (Isolde Schilling), Udo Vioff (Heinrich Schilling), Franziska Walser (Marlis Lachmann), Sven Eric Bechtolf (Theodor Lachmann), Karl-Heinz von Hassel (Tatort) as Heinz Jacob, Eva Maria Bauer (Black Forest Clinic) as Mrs Breitner, Carin C. Tietze, etc.

- Der Tod des Uhrmachers. A watchmaker is killed during a robbery. Chased by the police forces, the robber is shot dead by Gerd. Michael Ande is given an opportunity to shine in this episode written by Volker Vogeler and helmed by Zbyněk Brynych. With Jessica Kosmalla (Monika Valentin), Cordula Trantow (Gerda Staller), Uli Krohm (Werner Staller), Ulli Kinalzik (Peter Herling), etc.

- Der Haß der Verlierer. There's a heatwave in Munich and a woman is found strangled in her appartment. The two suspects are her ex-husband and a Turkish immigrant. A brilliant episode about racism written by Leopold Ahlsen and directed by Zbyněk Brynych. The performance of Will Danin as Kerem Ödüm is remarkable. Last appearance of Bettina Redlich as Sabine Kress. The actress returned in Der Alte as different characters in 2009 and 2014. With Stefan Behrens (Kurt Berger) and Christiane Hammacher (Edith, Leo's ex-wife).

- Ein unaufhaltsames Ende. A high school teacher is murdered. Penned by Volker Vogeler, at his best this season, and directed by Helmuth Ashley. Evelyn Opela (who married Helmut Ringelmann in 1986) plays Monika Burgdof. With Hans Michael Rehberg (Burgdof),  Carin C. Tietze (Nora Falk), Amadeus August (Gerhard Becker), Eva Maria Bauer (Mrs Nagel), etc.

- Der Freispruch. A high-profile trial ends with an acquittal. The 50th script written by Volker Vogeler for Der Alte (5). With Gerd Böckmann (Christian Weigelt), Christiane Kruger (Katja Weigelt), Peter Fricke (Hubert Schatz), Christian Kohlund (Florian Balsam), Anja Jaennicke (Lisa Lottke), Pierre Franckh (Peter Lotke), etc. Werner Schnitzer (Koch) later played Hahne in Siska (1998-2008), the successor to Derrick  (6). Music by composer, singer and hit maker Frank Duval. Directed by Alfred Weidenmann.

- Blackout. An old man hears a gunshot in the middle of the night. A jigsaw puzzle crafted by Christa-Maria Bandmann and directed by Günter Gräwert. With Angelica Domröse (Britta Lambert), Jürgen Schmidt (Konrad Lambert), Jürgen Heinrich (Wolffs Revier) as Dr. Arno Schneider, etc. Music by Dietmar Kawohl and Mats Björklund.

- Ein ganz gewöhnlicher Mord. The wife of Rudolf Ballat is shot dead by a rifle. An astute script by Volker Vogeler. With Klaus Schwarzkopf (Rudolf Ballat),  Elfriede Kuzmany (Lisa Ballat), Ullrich Haupt (Hugo von Bantwig), Wolfgang Wahl (Hermann Arnsweiler), Ben Becker (Peter Arnsweiler), etc. Directed by Alfred Weidenmann.

In 1998, Leo Kress and his men appeared in the final episode of Derrick. Kress retired at the end of the 322nd episode (2007) but Rolf Schimpf returned as the ex-detective in Episode 340. He was succeeded by Walter Kreye as Hauptkommissar Rolf Herzog (2008-2012) and Jan-Gregor Kremp (Hauptkommissar Richard Voss, 2012-2022). Michael Ande decided to leave the series in 2016 after 39 years as Gerd Heymann. Charles M. Huber left in 1997 and was replaced by Pierre Sanoussi-Bliss as Axel Richter until 2015. Huber changed career for politics and humanitarian work. 
 
The episodes of the "Le Renard - Intégrale Saison 12" boxset are in French and in German (without subtitles). Bonus material consists of a photo gallery and the trailers of some other titles of Elephant Films, like Rue barrée, Nana, La voie Jackson, Les visiteurs (the 1980 French sci-fi series) and Noires sont les galaxies. The 47th season of Der Alte starts this month on ZDF and soon actor Thomas Heinze will arrive as Hauptkommissar Caspar Bergmann, the successor of Hauptkommissar Richard Voss.

(1) Friday crime drama.
(2) Unlike Der Kommissar, Derrick was filmed in colour and produced by Helmut Ringelmann's other company Telenova for ZDF, ORF and SRG.
(4) The team was later completed by Meyer Zwo (Wolgang Zerlett, 1979-1987), Löwinger (Jan Meyer, 1985-1986) and Marküs Böttcher as Werner Riedmann (1986-2015).
(6) Produced by Helmut Ringelmann.
 
http://www.frankduval.com/
 
See also: