Arthur Hiller's The Americanization of Emily (1964) was a departure for its British co-star, Julie Andrews. Known primarily as the squeaky clean virgin of stage plays, Camelot and My Fair Lady, and her debut standout as the nanny with an edge in Mary Poppins, on this occasion Andrews is cast as Emily Bartham a rather vivacious vixen in London's swinging west end. She's a perfect fit for the hero of our tale, Charlie Madison (James Gardner). With a penchant for wooing the ladies with his false modesty and tales of heroics during the last days of WWII, Charlie is the hottest sexual conquest in town. His pick of the litter eventually hurls him headstrong into the arms of darling Em' only to realize his own romantic fallibility when he genuinely falls in love with her. Then duty calls on a gregarious and dangerous mission in which Chuck is asked to put his money where his mouth is and just may not live to tell the tale afterward. Featuring, among other things, Julie Andrews in her first on screen sexual encounter the screenplay by Paddy Chayefsky is economical to say the least, moving in and out of intrigues and romantic entanglements with ease, but often with a sense that the story really doesn't have much in the way of actual plot. He introduces Charlie to Emily quickly enough and then mixes things up in a very congenial, but conventional boy meets girl scenario. The war time motif is appealing, but intrusive to what is essentially an old time romance with a genuine 60s time capsule twist.
The transfer on The Americanization of Emily is absolutely first rate. The black and white picture elements are pronouncedly pristine, with barely a scratch or speckle to speak of. Blacks are velvety rich and deep. Whites are clean and bright without blooming. The audio has been remixed to good effect. But this is a primarily 'talking' film with limited action so even the mono will suffice. It's still nice to have stereo, though. Arthur Hiller delivers a sublime and enriching audio commentary that is head and shoulders above what most directors and producers usually offer in reflections of their own work. This is an excellent DVD that should be a part of everyone's home library.
The transfer on The Americanization of Emily is absolutely first rate. The black and white picture elements are pronouncedly pristine, with barely a scratch or speckle to speak of. Blacks are velvety rich and deep. Whites are clean and bright without blooming. The audio has been remixed to good effect. But this is a primarily 'talking' film with limited action so even the mono will suffice. It's still nice to have stereo, though. Arthur Hiller delivers a sublime and enriching audio commentary that is head and shoulders above what most directors and producers usually offer in reflections of their own work. This is an excellent DVD that should be a part of everyone's home library.