Darling Lili

Darling Lili
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Blake Edwards
Produced by	Blake Edwards
Written by	William Peter Blatty Blake Edwards
Starring	Julie Andrews Rock Hudson
Music by	Henry Mancini Johnny Mercer (lyrics)
Cinematography	Russell Harlan
Editing by	Peter Zinner
Distributed by	Paramount Pictures
Release date(s)	June 24 1970
Running time	136 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$25,000,000 USD

Darling Lili is a 1970 American musical film. The screenplay was written by William Peter Blatty and Blake Edwards, who also directed. The cast included Julie Andrews, Rock Hudson, and Jeremy Kemp.

Plot

Set during World War I, it centers on Lili Smith (Julie Andrews), a popular British music hall performer who is regarded as a femme fatale. She is actually a German spy, and the uncle she dotes upon is really Colonel Kurt Von Ruger (Jeremy Kemp), a fellow spy and her contact with the German military. In hopes of gaining valuable information, Lili begins using her feminine wiles on Major William Larrabee (Rock Hudson), a top American pilot. However, Lili soon falls in love with Larrabee and cannot find the courage to betray him. When Larrabee discovers Lili's secret, he refuses to turn her in.

Cast

• Julie Andrews as Lili Smith/Schmidt
• Rock Hudson as Major William Larrabee
• Jeremy Kemp as Colonel Kurt Von Ruger
• Lance Percival as Lieutenant Carstairs, TC
• Mike Witney as Youngblood Carson
• Jacques Marin as Duvalle
• André Maranne as Lieutenant Liggett
• Gloria Paul as Crepe Suzette
• Bernard Kay as Bedford
• Doreen Keogh as Emma

Production

Blake Edwards suffered continual interference from Paramount Pictures executives while making the film, and it was eventually edited by the studio largely without his input. The director later satirized the problems he faced in the film S.O.B. (1981), which was distributed by Paramount theatrically.

Darling Lili made use of Lynn Garrison’s aviation facility at Weston Aerodrome, Leixlip, Ireland. This collection of World War I replica fighter aircraft, facilities and support equipment was originally put together in support of 20th Century Fox’s 1966 film The Blue Max. The aerial fleet included a sole Caudron 277, two Fokker DR 1s, three Fokker D VIIs, two Se 5as and two Pfalz D IIIs (all full-scale replicas). In addition, the studio contracted with Slingsby Aircraft Ltd to build six 7/8th scale SE 5s (the "Mini SE 5").^[1] The Paramount production utilized the assembled aircraft for thousands of flying hours and accumulated hundreds of hours of aerial footage. Pilots were drawn from the Irish Air Corps and civilian circles. Charles Boddington and Derek Piggott did many of the more spectacular stunts.^[1]

The film's distribution was badly managed by Paramount executives and barely got a release in most of the United States. Despite setting box-office records at Radio City Music Hall, the film was a commercial failure. Budgeted at $25 million, it grossed only $5 million in the US, and later earned $3.3 million in videotape rentals.^[2]

A widescreen Director's Cut, significantly shorter than the original release and more serious in tone, was prepared for television in 1988, and this version was transferred to Region 1 DVD. The full original version, complete with overture and exit music, has aired on Turner Classic Movies as well as receiving commercial release on Region 2 DVD in Europe.

Music

The original score was composed by Henry Mancini. He and Johnny Mercer wrote the title tune, as well as "Whistling Away the Dark". Songs from the era were performed in the film, including "It's a Long Way to Tipperary", "Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit-Bag", "Keep the Home Fires Burning", and "Mademoiselle from Armentieres".

Awards and honors

Despite being a financial failure, the film did garner important awards and nominations and was a modest success with critics.

Academy Awards

The song "Whistling Away the Dark", music by Henry Mancini, lyrics by Johnny Mercer, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song. It was performed by Julie Andrews at the beginning of the film.

The movie had two other nominations, in costume design (Donald Brooks and Jack Bear) and best original song score (by Henry Mancini).

Golden Globe Awards

Julie Andrews received a nomination for Best Actress, Musical or Comedy, while "Darling Lili" won for Best Original Song. The film was also nominated for Best Picture, Musical or Comedy.

References

Notes

1. ^ ^{a b} Bodington 2009 p. 32.
2. ^ IMDB Business data

Bibliography

• Boddington, Matthew. "Shooting Lili: Flying for the Silver Screen." Aeroplane, Volume 37, No. 8, August 2009.

External links

• Darling Lili at the Internet Movie Database
• Darling Lili at the TCM Movie Database
• Darling Lili at AllRovi