“Darling Lili” is a romantic drama spy film that tells the story of an English woman who is a spy for Germany in World War I in England. However, complications arise when she falls in love with an American Air Force major. Director Blake Edwards (“Days of Wine and Roses” 1962) failed to execute his job on all cylinders, putting together a film with mediocre production values and a dull storyline. He co-wrote the screenplay with William Peter Blatty.
The cast is headed by Edwards’ wife, Julie Andrews, who delivers a dreadful performance. Ditto for the supporting cast that includes Rock Hudson, Jeremy Kemp, Lance Percival, Michael Witney, Jacques Marin, Andre Maranne, and Gloria Paul. “Darling Lili” was a big failure in theatrical release for Geoffrey Productions and Paramount Pictures.
Blake Edwards did use this movie-making experience as material for future motion pictures. Continual interference from Paramount Picture executives during production served as inspiration for his 1981 comedy “S.O.B.” While driving to the studio one day, Edwards was at a stop sign when a car pulled up next to his with a beautiful woman in the back seat in a wedding dress looking at him. This became a key scene in “10,” the 1979 comedy-drama that was one of Blake Edwards’ biggest hits.
Darling Lili (1970)
cinema
My Review
“Darling Lili” is a romantic drama spy film that tells the story of an English woman who is a spy for Germany in World War I in England. However, complications arise when she falls in love with an American Air Force major. Director Blake Edwards (“Days of Wine and Roses” 1962) failed to execute his job on all cylinders, putting together a film with mediocre production values and a dull storyline. He co-wrote the screenplay with William Peter Blatty.
The cast is headed by Edwards’ wife, Julie Andrews, who delivers a dreadful performance. Ditto for the supporting cast that includes Rock Hudson, Jeremy Kemp, Lance Percival, Michael Witney, Jacques Marin, Andre Maranne, and Gloria Paul. “Darling Lili” was a big failure in theatrical release for Geoffrey Productions and Paramount Pictures.
Blake Edwards did use this movie-making experience as material for future motion pictures. Continual interference from Paramount Picture executives during production served as inspiration for his 1981 comedy “S.O.B.” While driving to the studio one day, Edwards was at a stop sign when a car pulled up next to his with a beautiful woman in the back seat in a wedding dress looking at him. This became a key scene in “10,” the 1979 comedy-drama that was one of Blake Edwards’ biggest hits.