There are two things I know about Julie Andrews’ films: 1) they’re going to be imminently watchable, no matter how terrible the premise might be, because JULIE ANDREWS, and 2) the costumes are going to be fire.
Cinderella (1957)
The costumes designed by Jean Eckart are, well, practically perfect in every way.
The Gentle Flame (1959)
An early Dame Julie film that is an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Match Girl.”
Mary Poppins (1964)
I recently re-watched Mary Poppins after not having seen it in well over 25 years at least, and was amazed at how much of it was ingrained in my mental DNA.
The Sound of Music (1965)
THE WEDDING DRESS, THANK YOU.
Hawaii (1966)
This was one I hadn’t heard of before. Set in 1820, Dame Julie plays the young bride of an ambitious missionary who sails them to Hawaii in an attempt to convert the Hawaiians to Christianity. Just reading over the summary on Wikipedia, it sounds as if this is a more nuanced and complex take on white settlers attempting to impose their religion on indigenous peoples that you’d expect for this era of filmmaking.
Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967)
The high-jinks of flapper Millie Dillmount and her friends. I honestly never cared for the film, but I love love love the iconic costumes, by Jean Louis.
Star! (1968)
I think I need to put this one at the top of my watch list, because the costumes look AH-MAZING. Dame Julie plays actress Gertrude Lawrence (who ultimately originated the role of The King and I) in this biopic about Lawrence’s career during the 1920s through the 1940s. The costumes were designed by fashion designer Donald Brooks.
Darling Lili (1970)
A musical set during World War I, Dame Julie plays Lili Smith, who is more or less based on Mata Hari. The costumes look suitably fabulous and ambiguously period.
Little Miss Marker (1980)
A remake of the 1934 Shirley Temple film of the same name. The costumes were designed by Ruth Morley, who has a number of big hit pictures to her name from the 1970s and 1980s, like Taxi Driver, Tootsie, and Annie Hall, but this appears to be her only period piece. The costumes look excellent, though!
Victor/Victoria (1982)
Hands down my favorite Julie Andrews role, ever.
Bridgerton (2020-)
Obviously, Dame Julie isn’t in this photo, because you only ever hear her voice as Lady Whistledown. But I had to include it anyway.
The King’s Daughter (2022)
Also, obviously not in this image, but Dame Julie narrates the film which is finally, allegedly, going to be released sometime this year. Part weird period vehicle, fantasy, and supernatural thriller, it looks like it’s shaping up to be a total schlock fest! I’d still watch it for Julie Andrews, though.
What’s your favorite frock flick featuring Julie Andrews?
NOT Sound of Music. Of what I’ve seen, probably Millie. Or Victor Victoria.
Sound of Music, Darling Lili, Star and Millie.
Mary Poppins, hands down
Mary Poppins (also in the DNA) and Victor Victoria. I need to track down Star.
Same for me Frannie!
I remember seeing “Hawaii” in theaters! The book was all the rage then and the film was interesting because I knew zero about Hawaii. There were some complaints about artistic license and incorrect history at the time.
Also “Thoroughly Modern Millie” is the 1st film I ever noticed the costumes. I like the film even though it gets convoluted and a bit loopy at the end.
My father issued Julie Andrews’ visa in the early 60’s when he worked at the US Embassy in London. He loved having contact with all those British actors, but JA was a huge favorite. He thought she was adorable.
The only thing I remember about “Thoroughly Modern Millie” is Carole Channing yelling Raspberries!
My enduring memory is Millie popping the breast binder in the opening sequence.
’eminently’ watchable xxx
Sound of Music for me THAT WEDDING DRESS OMG
The Americanization of Emily with James Garner is very good but as it deals with WWII, it probably doesn’t have much costume content. It’s very pointed about war and patriotism and she gets out of her ‘sweet’ box somewhat.
We recently watched Hawaii. Julie is pretty much the only sympathetic white character in the film. An excellent portrayal of the evils of colonialism and missionaries.
I regret that we didn’t get a chance to see a JA in a big Hollywood production of My Fair Lady, where she could have used her own singing voice!
I love and adore Maria’s amazing wedding dress in the Sound of Music. I’m also very fond of that white dress in Mary Poppins.
I never understood why Disney set “Mary Poppins” in the Edwardian era. The books are set in the 1930s, when they were written.
I remember a friend and I being at a local video when we came across Millie on the shelf. We had never heard of it and were intrigued. Plus, it had Mary Tyler Moore and Carol Channing. How could two fashion and theater obsessed high schoolers resist?
Saw her live when Victor/Victoria was adapted into a Broadway musical – magic!
She’s also great as Nanny in the Eloise films.