Fitzwilly

This is one of those movies where you sit back, laugh and enjoy. For those who thought its morals were obscene really need to get a life. It was a fun movie with a fun plot all done with great actors. We need more movies like this. A timeless treasure.

Dick Van Dyke is the title character and 'Fitzwilly' is the affectionate way folks refer to Claude Fitzwilliam. He's the perfect butler and very devoted to his lady. However, she doesn't realize that she's apparently broke and in order to continue living her lifestyle, Fitzwilly and the other servants perform capers!! However, their next one is going to be tough, as Juliet (Barbara Feldon) was just hired by the mistress and this newcomer doesn't realize the staff are a bunch of thieves...so much of the film consists of the gang trying to keep her busy and away from their planning. However, when she does discover their plans, she isn't against this! So what's next? See the caper film yourself and see.

This is a very amiable caper picture. While it's not a classic like "Rififi", director Delbert Mann and the cast do a nice job. Additionally, the ending offers a nice surprise and the film is worth your time.

By the way, if you do see this, look for a very young Sam Waterston in a small role as one of the thieves.

Dick Van Dyke plays the title role in this gentle comedy about the staff of an eccentric old woman who thinks herself far richer than she is. Dame Edith Evans's money disappeared a long time ago, but she's such a grand old girl that no one can tell her otherwise. So she dispenses checks as a leading philanthropist while Van Dyke and her entire household staff have become experts at pulling heists to pay her to the manor born style of living. Not incidentally as a side benefit, they live pretty good too.

It all might fall apart though when Barbara Feldon is hired as a secretary to help with one of Evans's projects, Dictionary For Dummies. Staff always gets cleared through Van Dyke as the butler. He's thrown for a loss. Equally Feldon gets suspicious of strange things going on.

Van Dyke and Feldon have a good chemistry going with them. Evans is properly dotty as the role calls for. Best in the supporting cast as John McGiver as one of the servants who is a former minister. He needs reassurance from Scripture every time the crew pulls a heist.

There's a hilarious final caper during Christmas shopping season at Gimbels which as we know is no more in New York City. I guess someone decided that Gimbels needed a cinema advertiser the way Miracle On 34th Street is for Macy's.

After 50 years Fitzwilly still holds up quite well.

This is one of the best comedy films I have ever seen. It really lifts my spirits when I am down. Dick Van Dyke and Barbara Feldon were great as well as having an excellent supporting cast. Of course the whole premise of the film is preposterous. Sooner or later Fitzwilly and crew would have been caught. But then I don't think being realistic makes for a very good comedy. As far as the comments one individual made about the film being "immoral" I will say that the film was never intended to be taken seriously. If it were to be taken seriously it would be a drama and not a comedy. Besides, Fitzwilly didn't steal to get rich or amass a fortune, but rather to support Miss Vicky out of gratitude for her kindness to him. Besides, Juliet reformed him in the end. Furthermore Fitzwilly only stole from the rich. The government and the rich steal from the average person every single day! In addition, the user who commented that it was Miss Vicky's father and not her husband who died and left her penniless was correct.

When people ask me my favorite Christmas movies, I include "White Christmas," the George C. Scott "Christmas Carol" and "Fitzwilly." The latter film usually brings a perplexed response. In fact, much of the film takes place during the holidays, and the climax (if I remember correctly), occurs on Christmas Eve. This film has been a favorite since my childhood, and I'm disappointed that it doesn't get more TV airings during the holiday season.