Fitzwilly (1967) Starring Dick Van Dyke, Barbara Feldon, Edith Evans. Directed by Delbert Mann. Screenplay by Isobel Lennart. Based on the novel A Garden of Cucumbers by Poyntz Tyler (New York, 1960). Produced by Walter Mirisch. Run Time: 102 minutes. Color. USA. Comedy. Christmas.
The definition of a Christmas movie is pretty broad. While traditionally,
a Christmas film would deal with at least the ideals of the season, being set
during the season seems to be enough to land a film in the holiday bin or as
part of a Christmas marathon of films.
Such is the case of Fitzwilly. Set at Christmastime,
the film is really a heist comedy. Familiar settings like the now-defunct
Gimbel’s department store remind you of the holidays and though there are Christmas
and decorations around, these are really on backdrops.
