Kiwanis Benefit Performance
Mediocre 'Darling Lili' Sorely Test Julie, Rock
Salt Lake Tribune, 25 July 1970, page A13
Mary Poppins and Doris Day's old boyfriend get together for a very mediocre picture, "Darling Lili," which opened Wednesday at the Villa Theatre.
Julie Andrews and Rock Hudson tried but didn't succeed in making the musical comedy an entertaining presentation.
Opening night was a benefit premiere sponsored by the Salt Lake Kiwanis Club. The Mariachi Tapatio Band and Dancers performed prior to the film's showing. Public showings of "Lili" begin Thursday with two shows at 7 and 9:30 p.m.
"Darling Lili" is the story of Lili Smith, a singing spy who must get top secret information from a World War I Allied air squadron commander. During the course of the picture, the spy and the flying ace fall in love.
The entire story could have been told in 30 minutes. Unfortunately, the picture drags on for several hours, padded with slapstick comedy and irrelevant more than pleasant scenery and background music.
Miss Andrews and Hudson cannot be criticized for their roles in the film. Neither has a sufficient opportunity to display any acting ability. They seem miscast and cannot shed the images from earlier roles because "Lili" offers no replacement.
If you're a Julie Andrews fan, you might go see "Darling Lili." Musical numbers by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini are expertly sung by Miss Andrews, whose voice is the only bright spot in an otherwise dull picture.
Julie Andrews and Rock Hudson tried but didn't succeed in making the musical comedy an entertaining presentation.
Opening night was a benefit premiere sponsored by the Salt Lake Kiwanis Club. The Mariachi Tapatio Band and Dancers performed prior to the film's showing. Public showings of "Lili" begin Thursday with two shows at 7 and 9:30 p.m.
Singing Spy, Flier
"Darling Lili" is the story of Lili Smith, a singing spy who must get top secret information from a World War I Allied air squadron commander. During the course of the picture, the spy and the flying ace fall in love.
The entire story could have been told in 30 minutes. Unfortunately, the picture drags on for several hours, padded with slapstick comedy and irrelevant more than pleasant scenery and background music.
Bright Voice, Dull Story
Miss Andrews and Hudson cannot be criticized for their roles in the film. Neither has a sufficient opportunity to display any acting ability. They seem miscast and cannot shed the images from earlier roles because "Lili" offers no replacement.
If you're a Julie Andrews fan, you might go see "Darling Lili." Musical numbers by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini are expertly sung by Miss Andrews, whose voice is the only bright spot in an otherwise dull picture.