The Americanization of Emily

1964

The Americanization of Emily

Critics Consensus

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100%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 11

82%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 2,527
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Movie Info

The lively but somehow slightly distasteful The Americanization of Emily stars James Garner as a WWII naval officer who happens to be a craven coward. While his comrades sail off to their deaths, Garner makes himself scarce, generally hiding out in the London flat of his lothario navy buddy James Coburn. Garner falls in love with virtuous war widow Julie Andrews (the "Emily" of the title), but she can't abide his yellow streak. Meanwhile, crack-brained admiral Melvyn Douglas decides that he needs a hero--the first man to die on Omaha Beach during the D-Day Invasion. Coburn is at first elected for this sacrifice, but it is the quivering Garner who ends up hitting the beach. He survives to become a hero in spite of himself, winning Andrews in the process. Paddy Chayefsky's script, based on the novel by William Bradford Huie, attempts to extract humor out of the horrors of war by using broad, vulgar comedy instead of the light satirical touch that would seem to be called for. Americanization of Emily was Julie Andrews' second film; it should have led to a steady stream of adult-oriented roles, but the box-office clout of Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music consigned her to "wholesome family entertainment". ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Cast

James Garner
as Lt. Cmdr. Charles Edward Madison
Julie Andrews
as Emily Barham
James Coburn
as Lt. Cmdr. Paul "Bus" Cummings
Melvyn Douglas
as Adm. William Jessup
Joyce Grenfell
as Mrs. Barham
Edward Binns
as Adm. Thomas Healy
Liz Fraser
as Sheila
Keenan Wynn
as Old Sailor
William Windom
as Capt. Harry Spaulding
John Crawford
as CPO Paul Adams
Douglas Henderson
as Capt. Marvin Ellender
Edmon Ryan
as Adm. Hoyle
Steve Franken
as Young Sailor
Gary Cockrell
as Lt. Victor Wade
Alan Sues
as Enright
Bill Fraser
as Port Commander
Lou Byrne
as Nurse Captain
Alan Howard
as Port Ensign
Linda Marlowe
as Pat
Janine Gray
as 1st "Nameless Broad"
Judy Carne
as 2nd "Nameless Broad"
Kathy Kersh
as 3rd "Nameless Broad"
Paul Newlan
as Gen. William Hallerton
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Critic Reviews for The Americanization of Emily

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Audience Reviews for The Americanization of Emily

  • Feb 08, 2010
    09/02/2010 (ONLINE) I really had no idea what was going on for a while, but I held on and allowed myself to get in tune with the flavor. Although this is not my cup of tea, I must say it was quite a treat. The characters are quite enjoyable and when you begin to understand the style and blends of humorous tones you start laughing a little harder and the appreciation begins to reveal how amazing this film actually is! This is, I would say is a "Romantic Comedy". I loved James Coburn's performance, he really draws light to the film making the experience of viewing this film that much better. Watching this has definitely kindled an interest in me for Silver Screen movies. This new fondness will lead me in considering more movies like this. Black and White.
    EightThirty . Super Reviewer
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