As I write this and go over the details of the movie in my mind again, I'm starting to wonder if my 4/10 rating was too generous. Obviously the "camp" factor is inflating the ratings on this one. Nothing wrong with camp, mind you. But at least taken un-ironically, this thing is pretty bad overall.
It does have a few bright spots: Julie Andrews' singing and acting (at least aside from her horrible silent-movie-style asides to the camera), a few of the musical numbers, the dancing, and of course Carol Channing's outrageous character.
But while some of the songs shone, others were just awful. Mary Tyler Moore's character and acting were completely one-dimensional for me. And beyond the basic absurdity of Julie Andrews complaining of being too full figured, some elements of the plot were just completely ridiculous: the proprietress of a hotel (is she supposed to be Chinese or does she just dress that way?) kidnapping her attractive single female clients and selling them into (presumably sexual) slavery, with assistance from two evil "chinamen" (Jack Soo and Pat Morita, at the absolutely lowest points in their careers).
Again, maybe this film works on the camp level -- if a lot of alcohol is involved -- but it sure didn't work for me.
It does have a few bright spots: Julie Andrews' singing and acting (at least aside from her horrible silent-movie-style asides to the camera), a few of the musical numbers, the dancing, and of course Carol Channing's outrageous character.
But while some of the songs shone, others were just awful. Mary Tyler Moore's character and acting were completely one-dimensional for me. And beyond the basic absurdity of Julie Andrews complaining of being too full figured, some elements of the plot were just completely ridiculous: the proprietress of a hotel (is she supposed to be Chinese or does she just dress that way?) kidnapping her attractive single female clients and selling them into (presumably sexual) slavery, with assistance from two evil "chinamen" (Jack Soo and Pat Morita, at the absolutely lowest points in their careers).
Again, maybe this film works on the camp level -- if a lot of alcohol is involved -- but it sure didn't work for me.