While The Grinch is the most famous example, from Hans Gruber to Willie Soke each year we return to stories of characters trying to steal Christmas. Amongst shopping busyness or ‘Closed for Christmas’ signs the season seems to be an ideal time to pull off a heist, or upfront robbery. So, this year’s Alternative Christmas Film Advent Calendar looks at a series of less-mentioned attempts at festive thefts.
With the news of him having just turned 100 it seems fitting to start this year’s Calendar with a film led by Dick Van Dyke. Mary Poppins, which acts as festive-feeling viewing for many at this time of year, may have seen him tackling jobs such as street painter, chimney sweep and one-man band just three years later in Fitzwilly he’d take on the double duty of butler and heist mastermind. Keeping his employer, Victoria Woodworth (Edith Evans), in her life of luxury. With he and the other staff living comfortably, too.
However, as their plans come close to being foiled Fitzwilly and co find themselves needing to pull off a major heist in order to bring in the money they’ve missed out on due to the presence of Barbara Feldon’s Juliet, helping Miss Vicki to write a special dictionary. With Buddy The Elf not yet monitoring festive cheer throughout Gimbels, the department store is the target to steal $75,000 (in 1967 – today the value would be around $720,000). With a difficult-to-move-through sea of customers darting from one counter to the next in each department Fitzwilly and co go almost unseen as their organised plan plays out amongst the festive chaos.
Over time we see a rom-com style relationship that grows less and less performative/ scheme-based form between Fitzwilly and Juliet, slotting right into a familiar vein in Christmas viewing. Set against the backdrop of a house that starts to see a scattering of decorations amongst the stolen trinkets, silverware and piano – all obtained by the title character in various different guises and accents, with a slight wink to camera as he very briefly reprises his infamous Poppins accent.
Unlike most examples of festive robberies where we’re largely rooting for Christmas to not be stolen, there’s an enjoyment in Fitzwilly to seeing the heists in action, and in most cases pulled off. Perhaps because the season largely seems to be a backdrop than a full driving force, although it of course helps with the need for a bigger scheme. Alongside the lightness with which the thefts are played out in the comedic tones of the film, and relationships at play in the unit of criminals trying to maintain both their lifestyle and that of their employer, some of whom have served for generations. All in a bid to make sure that everyone continues to get what they want for a more-than-comfortable Christmas.
To see where you can buy, rent or stream Fitzwilly, JustWatch is always worth checking out.
Just A Little Bit Random 