![]() Henry Mancini, who had won the Oscar for Best Music for his score for the film, was bought on to re-work the score. In 1994, Blake Edwards sought to adapt Victor/Victoria into a Broadway show. The film starred Julie Andrews, James Garner, Robert Preston, and Lesley Ann. The 1982 film is celebrated as director Blake Edwards’ crowning achievement. After a series of mishaps, cover-ups, and some gender bending, Toddy, Victoria, and King Marchan find love and happiness.Ī lesser known British film adaptation, First A Girl, was released in 1935. “Victor” becomes the sensation of Paris, but falls in love with King Marchan, an American gangster. She befriends Toddy, who convinces her to disguise herself as a man pretending to be a woman. Inside the 'gaiety' of this irreverent, funny film is a lot of subtle commentary on gender roles, discrimination, and what constitutes sexual attraction.The musical Victor/Victoria is based on the 1982 movie of the same name, which in turn was based on a 1933 German film Viktor und Viktoria.Īn out-of-work British soprano, Victoria Grant, unsuccessfully auditions for a jazz club in Paris. The dance numbers are nicely choreographed. The stage sets are colorful, detailed and honed to the 30's era. In addition to the comedy and romance, the audience is treated to some really fine songs and music, written by the late Henry Mancini and lyricist Leslie Bricusse. Her performance is so inspired as this cheeky, jealous, over-the-top bottle-blonde, that you are left holding your sides from laughter. Lesley Ann Warren plays Norma Cassady, King Marchand's soon-to-be-dumped squeeze. Precisely the affect that Edwards was after! He plays Toddy so well and is so believable as Victoria's mentor and buddy, that you forget that it's Robert Preston. Possessing big, square shoulders, a large and rustic looking face and a deep, reasonate voice, he is difficult to picture as a cabaret "Queen". ![]() 80's fans may know him best as "Centauri" in the Classic " Last Starfighter". Preston, probably best known for his starring role in "The Music Man" both on Broadway and on film, is purposely cast against type in this film. But the real standouts in this picture are Robert Preston and Lesley Ann Warren. James Garner, always a treat in a comedy, puts in a great performance as well. Julie Andrews stretches herself in this film and handles all aspects of her 'dual' role well, playing dashing Victor and thoughtful Victoria interchangeably and with ease. The story is engaging, the music enchanting, but the best thing about this movie is the quick and clever dialogue and how the cast delivers it. ![]() What ensues is a hilarious set of clever, pseudo- slapstick scenes, the hallmark of Edwards directing style, building up to the impending moment when Count Grezhinski will be proved a phony - or is he? But are his instincts that are telling him that Victor's really a woman correct? Managing to pass herself off as a man, Victoria becomes the "toast of Paris" and attracts the attention of macho Chicago gangster King Marchand (James Garner), who finds himself attracted to Victor. Together, they "create" a new persona for Victoria: Count Victor Grezhinski, a gay female impersonator. ![]() She is befriended by the equally unlucky Toddy (Robert Preston), a gay nightclub entertainer. Written and directed by Blake Edwards (of the Pink Panther series fame), it tells the story of down and out singer Victoria (Julie Andrews) in depression era Paris. It stands today as one of the truly original gender bending farces ever made. Victor/Victoria is one of the most funny, sophisticated and utterly charming romantic comedies to come out of the 80's. ![]()
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