Christmastime

Fitzwilly (1967)

Head butler, Fitzwilliam (Dick Van Dyke), and his loyal staff rob and con in order to raise enough money to keep Miss Vicky (Dame Edith Evans) convinced she's still rich.  But their perfect world is upset when a new secretary, Juliet Nowell (Barbara Feldon), enters the household.

Quick Review: A skillfully written piece of Christmas fluff, Fitzwilly is a family film that doesn't insult the intelligence of adults.  I saw this in 1967 and loved it, and I watched it again tonight and have the same feeling.  It is a lightweight heist film, where Van Dyke and company must make one big score on Christmas Eve.  The crimes are fun to watch, but the character interaction is even better.  Van Dyke and Feldon are charming together, sparring with dialog that reflects the intelligent people they are supposed to be.  Of course Fitzwilly and Juliet fall in love.  That's a given.  But knowing that doesn't lessen the pleasure of watching it happen.  Miss Vicky is played twice as colorful as life by Dame Edith Evans who couldn't be dull if she tried.  Fitzwilly is a Christmas tradition for me.  I wouldn't miss it any more than I'd skip putting up a tree.

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