Magnificent Obsessions: The Films of Ross Hunter, programmed by Seán McGovern.

Thoroughly Modern Millie (dir. George Roy Hill, USA, 1967)

Before any names appear on screen at the start of Thoroughly Modern Millie is a bundle of newspapers. The headline: INNOCENT GIRLS SOLD INTO WHITE SLAVERY. Then begins the opening jingle of Julie Andrew’s jazzy titular song, and “A Ross Hunter Production” appears. Preparing you for a madcap, and let’s face it, fairly racist musical farce, this film starts as it means to go on.

Julie Andrews is Millie Dillmount, our delightfully naïve and headstrong heroine, who is determined to be as modern as possible, setting her sights on being a career woman in order to land the boss. This would be fairly straightforward if complications didn’t arise, like Mrs. Meers (Beatrice Lillie) the woman who runs her bordering house, drugging young women and shipping them off into slavery. With ludicrous diversions along the way, including the eccentric, marvellous millionaire Muzzy Van Hossmere (Oscar-nominee Carol Channing) and the odd Jewish wedding here or there. No wonder the film has an interval.

A big-budget musical farce, with Mary Tyler Moore as her best friend, James Fox as her love interest and John Gavin for a bit of eye-candy, the film was released in the waning days of the “roadshow release” – a big event picture to compete with television, rammed full of spectacle and prestige. Millie is still a delight today, and Julie Andrews is a vision on screen.

Doors open at 19.00, for a 19.30 start.

Refreshments will be available in our licensed cafe/bar.