Victor/Victoria (1982) [PG]

One of my favorite movies! Julie Andrews is Victoria. She just can't seem to make an impact as a soprano, so with the help of her friend Toddy (the great Robert Preston), comes up with the strategy of her pretending to be a female impersonator. That's right, Victoria is a woman pretending to be a man who is pretending to be a woman. Toddy pretends to be her gay boyfriend, strengthening the ruse.

Complications arise when King Marchand (extra yummy James Garner) arrives on the scene. He is a gangster who, to his great consternation and confusion, finds himself attracted to Victoria, which means Victor! His girlfriend, Norma (a hilarious screechy-voiced Leslie Ann Warren) is far from pleased.

The movie successful recaptures the spirit and pace of the old "screwball comedies." It keeps moving along and topping itself. And while it is so funny, it also makes some barbed comments about gender and sexuality.

This past week saw the death of Blake Edwards, the director of this movie. His great movies: Breakfast at Tiffany's, Days of Wine and Roses, the Pink Panther movies, and of course, Victor/Victoria. Although he also created many clunkers, his best was great.

One piece of trivia: Julie Andrews and Blake Edwards were married for 31 years.

I so enjoy this movie that I usually re-watch it every few years. I laugh each time and enjoy every minute.

DIRECTOR: Blake Edwards.  CAST:  Julie Andrews, James Garner, Robert Preston, Lesley Ann Warren, Alex Karras, John Rhys-Davies, Graham Stark, Peter Arne.

AWARDS: One Oscar.  Another 10 wins and 12 nominations.