Fitzwilly

Director: Delbert Mann

Overview

In this comedy, a devoted butler, knowing that his elderly employer is in deep financial trouble, and knowing that she does not realize this, robs Gimbel's department store on Christmas Eve to keep her financially afloat.

Product Details

Release Date:	01/15/2011
UPC:	0883904219323
Original Release:	1967
Source:	MGM
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[monaural]
Language:	English
Time:	1:42:00
Sales rank:	17,792

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Dick Van Dyke	Claude R. Fitzwilliam
Edith Evans	Miss Victoria Woodworth
Barbara Feldon	Juliet Nowell
John McGiver	Albert
Harry Townes	Mr. Nowell
John Fiedler	Mr. Dunne
Norman Fell	Oderblatz
Cecil Kellaway	Buckmaster
Stephen Strimpell	Byron Casey
Anne Seymour	Grimsby
Helen Kleeb	Mrs. Mortimer
Sam Waterston	Oliver
Paul Reed	Prettikin
Albert Carrier	Pierre
Nelson Olmsted	Simmons
Dennis Cooney	Adams
Noam Pitlik	Charles
Anthony Eustrel	Garland
Laurence Naismith	Cotty
Karen Norris	Kitty
Patience Cleveland	Dolly
Lew Brown	Frank
Monroe Arnold	Goldfarb
Bob Williams	Ryan,Ryan,Composer
Billy Halop	Restaurant Owner
Fletcher Allen	Reporter
Hal Baylor	Motorcycle Cop
Sidney Clute	Bartender
John Daheim	Man Who Gets Slapped
Robert DoQui	Workman
Merie Earle	Elderly Shoplifter
Kenner G. Kemp	Bar Patron
Nolan Leary	Man from Old Sailors Home
Barbara Morrison	Mrs. Mudge
Paulene Myers	Oberblatz' Secretary
Arthur Tovey	Bar Patron
Meg Wyllie	Saleswoman

Technical Credits

Isobel Lennart

Walter Mirisch	Producer
Isobel Lennart	Screenwriter
Clem Portman	Sound Effects

Editorial Reviews

Outside of Mary Poppins, Dick Van Dyke had little luck in finding big screen vehicles that showed him off to his best advantage. Fitzwilly is one of his better outings, a high concept production that benefits from excellent casting in both leading and supporting roles. Although Van Dyke has opportunities to demonstrate his trademark physical comedy, most of Fitzwilly calls upon his other comedic talents, including his sharp sense of timing and the endearingly unconvincing manner in which he tries to cover his tracks. The actor's considerable charm is also on display, and he has a delightful rapport with co-star Barbara Feldon, who has a plentiful supply of charm of her own -- which helps to overcome the "heavy" role her character is called upon to play at times. Edith Evans is lovable, John McGiver is droll, and Cecil Kellaway is affable in their supporting roles. Isobel Lennart's screenplay emphasizes fairly dry humor, which has its benefits, but the lack of consistent laughs works against the film's tendency toward "fluff." Matters are not helped by sluggish direction; the final caper in Gimbel's is handled very well and pays off big, but overall the dullness of the direction mitigates much of Fitzwilly's charm.