Am still wondering how that brilliant actress-Dame Edith Evans, who gave us monumental performances in "The Nun's Story," as well as "The Chalk Garden," and "The Whisperers" ever allowed herself to be talked into this nonsense.In this film she plays an elderly dowager. At least, she thinks she has money but she does not. Her butler, Dick Van Dyke, and an assortment of workers steal to keep her in the lifestyle she is used to and of course make plenty of extras for themselves.Van Dyke, who is always quite adept at comedy, is no different here. Miss Evans acts like an aristocratic woman to what we saw Margaret Dumont try to do in the Marks Brothers' Films of the 1930s and '40s.The film has an ample supply of supporting characters. Barbara Feldon is witty as the Columbia graduate school who comes to work for Evans and in the process discovers what has been going on. John MacGiver plays a former priest who is in with the group. Only Ann Seymour, who portrayed Broderick Crawford's wife in the Oscar-winning "All the King's Men," is above aboard. You know about their capers but they are unbelievably carried out and some times even hard to follow the methodology. It is only with the gang's last caper at Gimbels Department Store that the film takes on an hilarious body of scenes.As I stated above, Fitzwilly is basically silly. Famed script-writer Isobel Lennart bombed away here.

This is one of the best comedy films I have ever seen. It really lifts my spirits when I am down. Dick Van Dyke and Barbara Feldon were great as well as having an excellent supporting cast. Of course the whole premise of the film is preposterous. Sooner or later Fitzwilly and crew would have been caught. But then I don't think being realistic makes for a very good comedy. As far as the comments one individual made about the film being "immoral" I will say that the film was never intended to be taken seriously. If it were to be taken seriously it would be a drama and not a comedy. Besides, Fitzwilly didn't steal to get rich or amass a fortune, but rather to support Miss Vicky out of gratitude for her kindness to him. Besides, Juliet reformed him in the end. Furthermore Fitzwilly only stole from the rich. The government and the rich steal from the average person every single day! In addition, the user who commented that it was Miss Vicky's father and not her husband who died and left her penniless was correct.

Fitzwilly without a doubt is one of the BEST Dick Van Dyke movies ever made. It is sleek, elegant and has a sophisticated brand of comedy that has become an almost extinct breed. The story moves along at a fast clip, with just enough suspense that you wonder what will happen next at the same time you are laughing hysterically and a touching romance to boot! Although kids could watch this movie and get some laughs out of the few sight gags, it's unlikely that many would understand the more subtle dry humour that reigns throughout; still this is a movie that can be watched and enjoyed by the whole family! I am eagerly looking for a DVD release!

When people ask me my favorite Christmas movies, I include "White Christmas," the George C. Scott "Christmas Carol" and "Fitzwilly." The latter film usually brings a perplexed response. In fact, much of the film takes place during the holidays, and the climax (if I remember correctly), occurs on Christmas Eve. This film has been a favorite since my childhood, and I'm disappointed that it doesn't get more TV airings during the holiday season.