In an odd, comic take on Mata Hari's legendary fame, Julie Andrews stars as a well-loved British entertainer who seduces military leaders and passes on their secrets to the Germans. This movie doesn't take itself too seriously, so feel free to just tap your toe and enjoy Julie's fun musical numbers. It's also a Blake Edwards movie, so you can expect to be entertained by quick comedy and superb comic timing. In a famous scene, Rock Hudson gets so mad, he barges in on Julie Andrews in the shower to continue their argument.
In one of my favorite scenes, Julie has been tasked with delaying Rock at her house. She puts on a large act of seduction, but in order to stretch things out, she insists on getting literally swept off her feet. Rock struggles to pick her up and carry her through the rooms, since she continues to kiss him and pretends to be so engrossed in her task she doesn't know he's having trouble. It's pretty funny, as is much of the movie. The very best scene, though, is hands down the striptease. Julie gets jealous of Rock's other paramour Gloria Paul. Gloria's a stripper, and Julie watches a risqué dance, then recreates it onstage in her next performance! You won't be able to believe it until you see it: Julie Andrews bumping, grinding, and taking her dress off. I thought it was fantastic, and it almost earned her a Hot Toasty Rag nomination; but there were lots of heavy, dramatic performances that year and she didn't make it on the list.
You'll get to hear lots of fun songs that put you back in the wartime mood, and Henry Mancini's Oscar- and Rag-nominated "Whistling in the Dark" opens the film. And with two pretty people in the leads, and lots of smooching, you're in for an enjoyable, funny evening.
