Thoroughly Modern Millie

Thoroughly Modern Millie

Year: 1967

Runtime: 152 mins

Language: English

Director: George Roy Hill

ComedyRomanceMusicSong and danceCrude humor and satire

Millie Dillmount, a bold young woman from Salina, Kansas, heads for New York in the exuberant 1920s to test the modern ideas she read about back home. Wearing the latest high‑hemlines, she embraces the era’s energy while striving to shed her small‑town roots and discover a new, liberated self.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1922

The film is set in the early 1920s, a period defined by Prohibition, jazz, and rapid social change. It centers on young women redefining independence through work, romance, and social performances. The era’s fashion and music provide the backdrop for Millie’s ambitious schemes and evolving relationships.

Location

New York City, Priscilla Hotel, Long Island, Chinatown, Beijing

Set in 1922 New York City, the story unfolds against a glittering urban backdrop of flappers, speakeasies, and ambitious careers. The action moves from the opulent Priscilla Hotel to bustling streets, suburban Long Island mansions, and the shadowy corridors of Chinatown. The cityscape and its glittering venues shape the opportunities and dangers Millie faces on her thoroughly modern journey.

🗽 Cityscape 🎶 Jazz Age 🏨 Hotels 🧭 Chinatown

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:35

Main Characters – Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967)

Meet the key characters of Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Millie Dillmount (Julie Andrews)

An ambitious, witty young woman determined to work as a stenographer for a wealthy man in order to secure a modern marriage. She navigates flirtations and office politics with charm and pragmatism, chasing both independence and romance. Her plans collide with reality as affection and ambition pull in different directions.

💃 Ambitious 🧭 Pragmatic 🎯 Determined

Miss Dorothy Brown (Mary Tyler Moore)

An orphan who checks into the Priscilla Hotel and becomes Millie's naive but loyal friend. She approaches love with hopeful trust and a kind heart, ultimately capturing Trevor's affection. Her innocence highlights the vulnerabilities of the era's social world.

💗 Naive 🫶 Loyal 🌟 Optimistic

Trevor Graydon (John Gavin)

A handsome, self-absorbed office suitor who captivates Millie but ends up with Dorothy. He embodies the era's charm and vanity, learning that genuine connection can trump status. His journey moves from superficial interest to a more meaningful relationship.

💼 Wealthy 🎩 Stylish 🤔 Flawed

Jimmy Smith (James Fox)

A devil-may-care paperclip salesman who becomes Millie's love interest. Charismatic and quick-witted, he mixes affection with mischief and loyalty as he helps unravel the hotel’s secrets. His complicity in romance tests Millie's resolve and ideals.

💼 Charmer 💡 Clever ❤️ Romantic

Mrs. Meers (Beatrice Lillie)

The hotel's scheming head, a mastermind who runs kidnap-for-profit operations with Bun Foo and Ching Ho. Her ruthless exploitation of vulnerable girls drives the central danger of the plot. Her defeat marks the triumph of the protagonists.

🪤 Villain 🕵️‍♀️ Deceptive 🗝️ Exploitative

Muzzy Van Hossmere (Carol Channing)

An eccentric, wealthy widow who is the siblings' stepmother and organizer of the involved schemes. Her benevolent, theatrical presence helps resolve the chaos and restore balance. She embodies a generous, if flamboyant, influence on the young trio.

🕊️ Benefactor 🎭 Playful 💎 Wealthy

Bun Foo (Jack Soo)

One of Mrs. Meers' loyal henchmen; a menacing but often comical presence in the kidnapping plot. He embodies the film's underworld danger alongside Ching Ho.

🗝️ Henchman 🧭 Mysterious

Ching Ho (Pat Morita)

A quiet, calculating member of Mrs. Meers' criminal quartet who helps execute the scheme. His restraint hides a potentially dangerous partner in crime.

🗝️ Henchman 🫢 Silent

Miss Flannery (Cavada Humphrey)

Head stenographer in the office who can see through some of the schemes and maintains order in the workplace. She keeps the workplace professional amid the chaos.

🗂️ Boss 👩‍🏫 Mentor

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:35

Major Themes – Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967)

Explore the central themes of Thoroughly Modern Millie (1967), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💃 Independence

Millie's quest to work as a stenographer and marry for security reflects a push for personal independence in a male-dominated economy. The story tests how much self-reliance a woman can claim while navigating social traps. The ending suggests independence is tied to authentic connection rather than wealth.

🕵️ Deception

Disguises, schemes, and hidden motives drive the plot as characters mask true intentions. Mrs. Meers runs a kidnapping operation, exploiting orphans through subterfuge. The narrative hinges on unmasking deceptions and discovering who can be trusted.

🪙 Wealth

Wealth fuels motives and romantic temptations, challenging Millie’s plan to marry for security. Dorothy and Trevor’s relationship reframes love beyond money, underscoring the film's critique of valuing people by status. The twist that Jimmy and Dorothy are wealthy siblings redefines loyalty and affection.

🎭 Identity

Performance and public personas shape social interactions in 1920s New York. Flapper fashion, disguises, and role-playing reveal how identity can protect or trap a person. The characters learn to drop façades and connect as their true selves.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 14:35

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Thoroughly Modern Millie Summary

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Thoroughly Modern Millie Summary

Thoroughly Modern Millie Timeline

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Thoroughly Modern Millie Timeline

More About Thoroughly Modern Millie

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