Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 12/04/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE was producer Ross Hunter's attempt to re-create THE BOY FRIEND, in which Julie Andrews had starred on Broadway. MGM held the movie rights to BOY FRIEND and would not sell them to Universal. Eventually MGM would turn THE BOY FRIEND into a rather-misguided film starring Christopher Gable and Twiggy.The story of THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE concerns one Millie Dillmount (Julie Andrews), a simple girl from the country who comes to the Big Smoke looking for love, excitement and most importantly, Mr Right. Along the way Millie meets up with demure Miss Dorothy (Mary Tyler Moore), hooks up with a lively paperclip salesman Jimmy (James Fox) and fights off white-slaver Mrs Meers (Beatrice Lillie). Joining in the fun are carefree society dame Muzzy van Hossmere (Carol Channing) and Millie's dashing boss Mr Trevor Graydon (John Gavin).The songs are a perfect blend of 20's standards as well as brand-new numbers. Julie is at her best singing "Jimmy", "Poor Butterfly" (which includes the scene dialogue that accompanies it in the film), and the catchy Title Song.Carol Channing adds her brassy vocals to the showstopping "Jazz Baby" and "Do It Again". James Fox is wonderful during the "Tapioca" number.With THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE currently gracing Broadway in an all-new production, now is the perfect time to fall in love with the fantastic film score.Highly-recommended."
FUN SOUNDTRACK/BAD SOUND
Tom Anderson | Piney Flats, Tennessee United States | 02/04/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
""Thoroughly Modern Millie" was probably the most superficially enjoyable movie that Julie Andrews ever made--no depth at all, but loads of fun. The soundtrack album is also fun to listen to, but probably won't mean as much to people who've never seen the film.
The only reason I gave this CD 3 stars is its poor sound quality. I've still got the record album and believe me, the CD sounds EXACTLY like the record except for the absence of surface noise: thin, tinny, and with little bass response. The CD mastering gives no added clarity or frequency response. In short, the engineers obviously used the same master that the record was made from, a master than was equalized and compressed within an inch of its life. If they had bothered to go back to the original session tapes, this album would have sounded much better. You can hear the proof on the compilation CD that Rhino put out several years ago called "Thoroughly Modern Julie." The only song that's from the movie is the title track, but you will be amazed at the difference in sound quality: this version has much better clarity, presence, and frequency response. Let's hope that someday "Thoroughly Modern Millie" will be given the audio restoration it deserves."
Thouroughly Modern Millie-a great CD for everyone!
James J. Patterson | 12/09/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As a twelve year old broadway lover, when I first saw the play I immediatly fell in love with it. The music (all included on the CD) is so wonderful, everyone deserves to know about it!!!!
The Thouroughly Modern Millie music is appropriate, and funny. There is not a large amount of bad language and is very clean. The music has a fast tempo and a jumpy sound. It makes you want to jump up and dance! I would buy this CD for sure- with no doubt! From what I've told you, wouldn't you agree?"
ANN DEE~MYSTERY SINGER OF ROSE OF WASHINGTON SQUARE!
Bradly Briggs | TOLUCA LAKE, CALIFORNIA | 06/12/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Thoroughly Modern Millie is a corny little movie filled with bloated egos...classic and very soulful singer Miss Ann Dee (Angela DeSpirito) sold her legendary San Francisco "Ann Dee's 440 Club" a famed night club where Ann developed and showcased numerous big name talent such as Lenny Bruce, Ernestine Anderson, Johnny Mathis, Fran Jeffries and many others to come to Hollywood to embark on a solo singing career yet by this time Ann Dee was well into her forties..."Free Again" is a timeless vocal classic Capitol Records lp filled with thrilling performances including the definitive version of "If He Walked Into My Life" from the musical "Mame" and a brilliant and hauntingly gorgeous Anthony Newley medley "Carnival/This Dream" is high vocal art at its finest and now posted on youtube for all to savor and enjoy! "Free Again" produced by avant-garde producer David Axelrod and beautifully arranged by legendary Ernie Freeman features Mr. Sinatra's full studio orchestra...Ann Dee always incredible in concert performing these wondrous classics with such passion and tremendous vocal beauty receiving numerous standing ovations every night over the years in packed-out clubs (wildly successful "house singer" at Beverly Hills "Ye Little Club" for many years) where one could find a wide array of the famous such as Judy Garland, Timi Yuro, Edith Piaf, Toti Fields, Carmen McRae, Johnny Ray, Margaret Whiting, Dorothy Collins, Yvonne De Carlo, Gordon MacRae, Alexis Smith, Joanie Sommers, Regis Philbin to name just a few in her adoring audience...hopefully this lost vocal masterpiece will one day be released on Compact Disc if Capitol Records ever wakes up and realizes what a glorious treasure they have in their vault deserving to be remastered and released! Ann Dee next cast in this lame superficial Hollywood Musical was thrilled yet soon found she would be pushed into the background by the greedy "stars" of this movie clearly threatened by her magnificent talent (especially vocal!) and didn't want to share the spotlight or residuals and this is why Ann Dee did not receive billing for her glorious performance which is clearly the finest vocal in this otherwise tired soundtrack filled with cartoon like baffonish performances. Ann was deeply hurt by all of this and the real kicker is that Ann Dee received no billing at all on the original soundtrack lp for her sublime performance of "Rose Of Washington Square" and was listed only as "vocal blues singer"! For shame and this needs to be corrected! May Ann Dee rest in peace and she is loved and missed by many & those 5-Stars are all for you Angel as you earned every one of them!!!"
A largely forgotten classic
James J. Patterson | Austin, Texas USA | 05/10/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Thoroughly Modern Millie was one of my absolute favorite movies when it came out. I used to go to my college listening library and request they play the soundtrack while I was studying. When it showed on campus, I was always there to see it once again on the big screen. The music is absolutely wonderful. Julie Andrews, Mary Tyler Moore AND Carol Channing all in one great musical. If this ever comes out on DVD, I'll be first in line to buy it! Any hopes, or has it been totally forgotten? I hope not!"