Darling Lili
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| Darling Lili | |
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 DVD Cover |
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| Directed by | Blake Edwards |
| Produced by | Blake Edwards |
| Written by | William Peter Blatty Blake Edwards |
| Starring | Rock Hudson Julie Andrews |
| Music by | Henry Mancini |
| Cinematography | Russell Harlan |
| Distributed by | Paramount Pictures |
| Release date(s) | June 24, 1970 |
| Running time | 136 minutes |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $25,000,000 USD |
| Allmovie profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
Darling Lili is a 1970 American musical film. The screenplay was written by William Peter Blatty and Blake Edwards, who also directed. The cast included Julie Andrews, Rock Hudson, and Jeremy Kemp.
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[edit] Plot
Set during World War I, it centers on Lili Smith (Julie Andrews), a popular British music hall performer who is regarded as a femme fatale. She's actually a German spy, and the uncle she dotes upon is really Colonel Kurt Von Ruger (Jeremy Kemp), a fellow espionage agent and her contact with the German military. In hopes of gaining valuable information, Lili begins using her feminine wiles on Major William Larrabee (Rock Hudson), a top American pilot. However, Lili soon falls in love with Larrabee and cannot find the courage to betray him. When Larrabee discovers Lili's secret, he refuses to turn her in.
[edit] Cast
- Julie Andrews as Lili Smith
- Rock Hudson as Major William Larrabee
- Jeremy Kemp as Colonel Kurt Von Ruger
- Lance Percival as Lieutenant Carstairs, TC
- Mike Witney as Youngblood Carson
- Jacques Marin as Duvalle
- André Maranne as Lieutenant Liggett
- Gloria Paul as Crepe Suzette
- Bernard Kay as Bedford
- Doreen Keogh as Emma
[edit] Production
Edwards suffered continuous interference from Paramount Pictures executives while making the film, and it was eventually edited by the studio largely without his input. The director later satirized the problems he faced in S.O.B..
The film was badly managed by Paramount executives and barely got a release in most of the United States. Despite setting box-office records at Radio City Music Hall, the film was a critical and commercial failure. Budgeted at $25 million, it grossed only $5 million in the US, and later earned $3.3 million in videotape rentals.[1]
A widescreen Directors Cut, significantly shorter than the original release and more serious in tone, was prepared for television in 1988, and this version was transferred to Region 1 DVD. The full original version, complete with overture and exit music, has aired on Turner Classic Movies as well as receiving commercial release on Region 2 DVD in Europe.
[edit] Music
The original score was composed by Henry Mancini. He and Johnny Mercer wrote the title tune, as well as "Whistling in the Dark". Songs from the era were performed in the film, including "It's a Long Way to Tipperary", "Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit-Bag", "Keep the Home Fires Burning", and "Mademoiselle from Armentieres".
[edit] Awards and nominations
[edit] Academy Awards
The song "Whistling Away the Dark", music by Henry Mancini, lyrics by Johnny Mercer, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song. It was performed by Julie Andrews at the beginning of the film.
The movie had two other nominations, in costume design (Donald Brooks and Jack Bear) and best original song score (by Henry Mancini).
[edit] Golden Globe Awards
Julie Andrews won for Best Actress, Musical or Comedy, while "Darling Lili" won for Best Original Song. The film was also nominated for Best Picture, Musical or Comedy.
[edit] External links
- Darling Lili at the TCM Movie Database
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