Victor Victoria (1982)

In 1934 Paris, an impoverished young soprano (Julie Andrews in an Oscar nominated performance) is talked into passing herself off as a man, who is a female impersonator, by a gay nightclub performer (Robert Preston). When she becomes the toast of Paris as "Victor", complications arise when she finds herself attracted to an American mobster (James Garner). This Blake Edwards directed sophisticated, elegant and witty musical farce is a jewel that can stand next to the cream of Lubitsch or Wilder. Everyone seems to be working at the top of their game, whether it be the impressive production design, art and set direction, costumes, the handsome Panavision lensing by Dick Bush (TOMMY) or the near perfect songs of Henry Mancini and Leslie Bricusse. Andrews has never been better, Garner has but two supporting performances dominate the film. Preston's casual aging cabaret performer and Lesley Ann Warren's (whose performance owes a lot to Judy Holliday's Billie Dawn) shrill gangster moll, both Oscar nominated. Based on the 1933 German film, VIKTOR UND VIKTORIA. With Alex Karras, John Rhys Davies and Graham Stark whose deadpan waiter steals scenes.