I would be shocked if someone reading this has seen or even heard of Fitzwilly. I don’t even know how my family came across it, but we did many years ago and it’s been one of our annual Christmas movies since. 

"Sure it’s old, but it’s actually quite smart, with some unexpectedly witty lines and an entertainingly complex plot that has a satisfying conclusion. 

But all of that would be relatively pointless without a great cast of characters to follow along with, which it has. Dick Van Dyke does a terrific job playing the protagonist Fitzwilly, a seemingly simple butler with a secretly sharp mind and hidden talent for thieving. Barbra Feldon is also great as the female lead and threat to Fitwilly’s operation. She and the writers do a good job of giving her her own character besides being the love interest. The rest of the cast is wonderful as well, the MVP being Edith Evens as Miss Vicky, the subtlety hilarious heiress who Fitzwilly and his housekeeping crew serve. 

Actually, subtly hilarious is a really good way to sum up this movie. There is fundamentally zero slapstick, which is personably surprising and respect worthy.  Most of the comedy comes from the dialogue and all the quick and witty quips, as well as the complexity of the plot itself. Oh also THE John Williams did the score, so it has that going for it too." -Letterboxd