Victor/Victoria DVD

Average Rating:

Victoria Grant is a penniless soprano in Paris circa 1934, when she meets Toddy (Robert Preston - THE MUSIC MAN), a gay nightclub entertainer. She spends the night at his flat. An unexpected caller triggers the accidental discovery that with the right clothes and voice, Victoria could become "Count Victor Grazinski", a gay Polish female impersonator!

Soon Victoria (or "Victor") is the toast of Paris, when American impresario King (James Garner - MOVE OVER DARLING, THE THRILL OF IT ALL) and his moll Norma Cassidy (Lesley Ann Warren - THE HAPPIEST MILLIONAIRE), come close to blowing the ruse.

Things become even more complicated when Victoria finds herself falling for King, and Toddy falls in love with King's bodyguard Squash!

With Andrews, Preston and Warren in fine musical form, the story fairly brims over with delightful songs, hilarious quips and top-notch performances.

Julie Andrews received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress and won a Golden Globe for Best Actress for her portrayal of Victoria Grant/Count Victor Grezhinski, a divorced, American lounge singer struggling to make ends meet in 1934 Paris. Unable to pay for rent or food, she decides to use a ruse at a restaurant to earn a free meal. There she meets Carroll Todd ("Toddy"), played by Robert Preston who earned Best Actor nominations for both the Oscar and Golden Globe. Also having financial difficulties, Toddy is inspired by Victoria's somewhat masculine-sounding voice when she gets angry to have her pretend to be gay male drag queen. She agrees and she becomes an overnight success after her first performance at one of the most upscale nightclubs in Paris. In the audience are King Marchand (James Garner), his girlfriend Norma Cassady (Lesley Ann Warren, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actress for both the Oscar & Golden Globe) and his bodygaurd Squash Bernstein (Alex Karras).

What makes this film such a masterpiece is not just the excellent comedic writing by Blake Edwards, but also the Oscar-winning music composed by Henry Mancini. Count Victor Grezhinski (Julie Andrews) sings two of the most memorable songs "Le Jazz Hot" during her first nightclub performance and "The Shady Dame from Seville" during another nightclub performance. She also sings the theme song "Crazy World" during a tear-felt nightclub performance. Robert Preston as Toddy sings the fun song "Gay Paree" during a gay nightclub performance and does a hilarious reprise of "The Shady Dame from Seville" at the conclusion of the film. He also sings "You and Me" with Victor at an impromptu performance at the same gay nightclub. Another hilarious performance comes from Lesley Ann Warren singing "Chicago, Illinois" at King Marchand's nightclub in Chicago.

The rendering of the film onto DVD is superb, as is the Dolby 5.1 sound quality. You simply cannot go wrong owning this DVD because you will be able to enjoy it for years to come!

Robert Preston (in a role originally intended for Peter Sellers) practically steals the show as Toddy, a gay nightclub perfomer in 1930s Paris. Preston's vitality and charisma make the character of Toddy so warm, humorous and believable that he feels like an old friend by the end of the movie. What a shame Preston made so few films! (We do, however, have his memorable aoppearance in SOB - another Edwards triumph - to be grateful for.)

Julie Andrews is perfectly cast, with her distinctive voice and seemingly ageless face and figure all contributing to a convincing portrayal of a supposed female impersonator. The rapport between her and Preston is a joy to behold, and one can only applaud their classy professionalism.

The rest of the cast is top-notch, and the film reunites Julie Andrews with James Garner 18 years after their first movie together, the 1964 Americanization of Emily. Garner shows a fine comic touch - as always - and Lesley Ann Warren is inimitable as his supremely irritating ex-girlfriend.

The film positively overflows with 1930s Parisian atmosphere and sophistication. In short, Victor/Victoria is a real treat that offers a little something for everybody.

Essential viewing.