2023-08-31 20:14:54
by Maurizio Porro
In «Victor Victoria», a remake of a 1935 German film, we talk about disguises in an explosion of jokes and gags that make the film unforgettable
40 years ahead of rights issues, not to mention the fact that it is the remake of a 1935 German film, «Victor Victoria» is a comedy masterpiece by Blake Edwards (who staged it in the theater at the beginning of the 1990s, again with his wife Julie Andrews) in which we talk about disguises in an explosion of jokes and gags that make the film unforgettable, the best story «en travesti» together with «Some like it hot». In fact Edwards, director creator of the «Pink Panther» series, is an heir of Billy Wilder, as Wilder was of Lubitsch. Combining in perfect form the comedy of (sexual) misunderstandings and the musical (Oscar for music), jokes and screwball gags, reconstructing in the best possible way (Pinewood studios) the Paris of the Thirties with its cheerful «misunderstandings» venues, «Victor Victoria» tells the story of a triple disguise that starts from social needs.
Toddy, gay entertainer (the word is already encountered at the time) meets the soprano Victoria, good but very poor: a way must be found to launch her. So he will pass himself off as a Polish gay count ace in disguises: the very great ex Mary Poppins Julie Andrews sings and dances in women’s clothes obtaining a triumph especially at the end when she exhibits the false male identity. Thus he gets into trouble an American gangster client who begins to have strong doubts about his sexuality, next to Norma, her blonde, beautiful, ditzy friend, entangled in the game of identities.
The cast is as prodigious as the script entrusted to him: Robert Preston (replaced Sellers), also a western actor, is a master of ceremonies of rare elegance, the 40-year-old Julie is irreplaceable and as witty as ever, James Garner a gangster with humor and style from the roaring years and his Marilyn-like naïve goose is gorgeous Lesley Ann Warren. Two top character actors, Alex Carras as secretary and Graham Stark as waiter (the same unforgettable one from “Hollywood party”) offer unique civilized moments of fun.
Victor Victoria by Blake Edwards, Sky channel 307, Friday 1 September, 6.45pm
August 31, 2023 (change August 31, 2023 | 20:17)
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