Fitzwilly (1967) – Rewatch

In this relatively new addition to my Christmas collection, Dick Van Dyke is wonderful as the titular butler. Van Dyke and his motley crew of servants are on a quest to keep the elderly Edith Evans from discovering that her household is bankrupt, even as she gives away every dime to any charity that appears on her doorstep. The crew performs many a scam and swindle, even running a fictitious charity, to maintain the ruse, suddenly threatened by the addition of Barbara Feldon into the home. The film is delightful, despite not having much of a Christmas feel. It remains in the Christmas collection solely for the incredible brightly-colored climax, set at the height of Christmas Eve chaos at Gimbels department store.