Victor/Victoria: Original Soundtrack Recording (1982 Film) [Soundtrack]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Largely moribund since the mid-'60s, the Hollywood film musical has only occasionally piqued the interest of an ambitious filmmaker in the decades since. Nineteen eighty-two's transgender-themed, depression-era romp once again teamed director Blake Edwards with longtime musical collaborator Henry Mancini (whose work here alongside lyricist Leslie Bricusse netted him a Best Song Score Oscar^®). But the real news was Edwards's casting of screen musical legend Julie Andrews--his wife--in the typecasting-be-damned lead role of the down-on-her-luck singer who eventually triumphs by passing herself off as both sides of a female impersonator cabaret act. Mancini's score is as playful as the premise, lampooning everything from stuffy operatic clichés to the "hot jazz" of '30s Parisian cabaret with his deft melodic touch, while he and Bricusse serve up a spare, if nigh-perfect slate of songs to match. Highlighted by Andrews's diva-mocking "Cherry Ripe," sultry takes of "Le Jazz Hot" and "The Shady Dame from Seville," and the show-stopping "Crazy World," the soundtrack also gets masterful turns from fellow musical-comedy legend Robert Preston on the campy "Gay Paree" and an outtake of "You and Me"(a duet with Andrews) as well as Lesley Ann Warren's ditzy delight, "Chicago, Illinois." This remastered 20th-anniversary edition is also fleshed out by 10 previously unreleased cues from Mancini's evocative orchestral score and a rehearsal take of "Shady Lady from Seville." --Jerry McCulley --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Tracks:

Main Title: Crazy World
You And Me - Julie Andrews, Robert Preston
Gay Paree - Robert Preston
Alone In Paris
King's Can Can
Le Jazz Hot - Julie Andrews
The Shady Dame From Seville - Julie Andrews
The Big Lift
Cat & Mouse
Crazy World - Julie Andrews
Chicago, Illinois - Lesley Ann Warren
Elegant
You And Me
Le Matelot Club
The Shady Dame From Seville - Robert Preston
Finale: The Shady Dame From Seville/Crazy World/You And Me/Le Jazz Hot

Amazon.com

Largely moribund since the mid-'60s, the Hollywood film musical has only occasionally piqued the interest of an ambitious filmmaker in the decades since. Nineteen eighty-two's transgender-themed, depression-era romp once again teamed director Blake Edwards with longtime musical collaborator Henry Mancini (whose work here alongside lyricist Leslie Bricusse netted him a Best Song Score Oscar ^®). But the real news was Edwards's casting of screen musical legend Julie Andrews--his wife--in the typecasting-be-damned lead role of the down-on-her-luck singer who eventually triumphs by passing herself off as both sides of a female impersonator cabaret act. Mancini's score is as playful as the premise, lampooning everything from stuffy operatic clichés to the "hot jazz" of '30s Parisian cabaret with his deft melodic touch, while he and Bricusse serve up a spare, if nigh-perfect slate of songs to match. Highlighted by Andrews's diva-mocking "Cherry Ripe," sultry takes of "Le Jazz Hot" and "The Shady Dame from Seville," and the show-stopping "Crazy World," the soundtrack also gets masterful turns from fellow musical-comedy legend Robert Preston on the campy "Gay Paree" and an outtake of "You and Me"(a duet with Andrews) as well as Lesley Ann Warren's ditzy delight, "Chicago, Illinois." This remastered 20th-anniversary edition is also fleshed out by 10 previously unreleased cues from Mancini's evocative orchestral score and a rehearsal take of "Shady Lady from Seville." --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Great movie, great soundtrack!.......2007-03-13

This is one of my favorite movies, and I'm not sure why it took me so long to think to look for the soundtrack! I've had it for about a month now, and I love it.

Julie Andrews and Robert Preston are flawless (as usual), and it's just a lot of fun~particularly the rehearsal of Preston doing "The Shady Dame From Seville". I'm also a big fan of their duet "You and Me". All of the songs are wonderful showcases for Andrews' voice, showing her range and also various styles~from Cherry Ripe to Le Jazz Hot. What an amazing singer!

This would be a wonderful addition to to your CD collection for the musical prowess of Julie Andrews alone, but the soundtrack is a must for any fan of the movie.

A good score by the great Mancini.......2007-01-27

This musical presents some of the best songs by Henry Mancini, sung by
the fabulous Julie Andrews. The song "Crazy World" is featured two times,
one vocal, and the other, excellent, by the orchestra. A great purchase.

Only Bright Spot: Henry Mancini.......2006-05-23

Henry Mancini gave us so much of our consciousness of the 1960s and 1970s, and yet was "out" almost as soon as he was "in."

His work became synonymous with much-despised "elevator music" in the later 1960s. This stereotype (or monotype, for his earliest works) can mislead.

For example, "Lujon" [not in this collection] was used in a movie just last year to exemplify mystery and an exotic atmosphere.

Mancini died way too young. While some would argue that he'd become a self-parody, his innate gifts compromised by relentless commercialization, you cannot take away his lasting gift to our culture. He was an original, and he captured an essence of our collective experience.

By 1982, Mancini was in very late career and doing a lot more TV material. In this soundtrack, you can discern his contribution most strongly in "Chicago."

He;s still 'got it,' for sure, but his time is running out by 1982...

LOVE IT.......2005-10-27

I really only got this for one song but I love this whole thing. So for once I was pleasantly surprised. Everyone should have it.

the ultimate Julie Andrews musical.......2004-03-05

VICTOR/VICTORIA is most probably Julie Andrews' most-accomplished and effective movie musical performance. Singing the sparkling songs by Henry Mancini and Leslie Bricusse, Miss Andrews is beautifully showcased.

VICTOR/VICTORIA is based on the little-known German fim 'Viktor und Viktoria', and recounts the story of a penniless opera singer, stranded in Paris, called Victoria Grant. Victoria makes a friend in nightclub entertainer Toddy (Robert Preston - THE MUSIC MAN, MACK AND MABEL) who suggests that she masquerade as a gay polish female impersonator. The ruse works, and 'Victor' is the toast of Paris, until Victoria falls in love with a handsome Chicago mobster called King Marchan (James Garner). Adding complications is King's ditzy moll Norma (Lesley Ann Warren - CINDERELLA, THE HAPPIEST MILLIONAIRE).

The score for VICTOR/VICTORIA runs the gamut from the showstoppers ("Le Jazz Hot") to the torchy ballads ("Crazy World"). Other standout numbers include Robert Preston's charming "Gay Paree" as well as Lesley Ann Warren's racy and raucus salute to "Chicago Illinois".

Highly-recommended.

Music:

Music

Music