The Americanization of Emily *** (1964, Julie Andrews, James Garner, Melvyn Douglas, James Coburn, Liz Fraser, Joyce Grenfell, Edward Binns, Keenan Wynn) – Classic Movie Review 6537

Julie Andrews and James Garner shine in director Arthur Hiller’s amusing 1964 dark-toned sex comedy, set in the UK during the build-up to D-Day in 1944. It was nominated for two Oscars.

Julie Andrews plays war-widow driver Emily Barham, who falls for cowardly US Navy officer Lt. Commander Charlie Madison (James Garner), who provides girls for his superiors.

Based on William Bradford Huie’s novel, this is a very likeable movie thanks to the star chemistry, the genial performances from the character actors, Paddy Chayefsky’s smart screenplay and Philip Lathrop’s Oscar-nominated cinematography.

It did well at the box office but, even so, but its anti-typecasting perhaps harmed it. Apparently some of Andrews’ fans were shocked to find her in bed with Garner, and some of his were upset to find him playing a coward.

Also in the cast are Melvyn Douglas, James Coburn, Liz Fraser, Joyce Grenfell, Edward Binns, Keenan Wynn, William Windom, John Crawford, Douglas Henderson, Edmond Ryan, Steve Franken, Paul Newlan, Gerry Cokrall and Alan Sues.

It is shot in black and white by Philip Lathrop and Christopher Challis, produced by Martin Ransohoff and John Calley and scored by Johnny Mandel.

Producer Ransohoff replaced original director William Wyler with Hiller when Wyler tried to change Chayefsky’s script.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 6537

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