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Post by tartanphantom on Jun 18, 2021 17:55:54 GMT -5
Enjoying a run of three of my favorite Peter Sellers movies, thought I'd share thoughts on each one: My all-time favorite comedy is 1964's Dr. Strangelove, the well-known Kubrick classic that likely needs no introduction to many. But as a brief recap, during the height of the Cold War a US General goes, as the President of the USA (one of multiple roles Sellers plays) says to the Soviet Premier "Kissov", a "little soft in the head" and sends orders to a US patrol bomber to conduct on a nuclear strike on the USSR. This General ("General Ripper") is played by Sterling Hayden who plays the role brilliantly, simultaneously staying in character as the hardened career officer while dropping one absurd line after another (anyone who remembers the "precious bodily fluids" knows what I'm talking about). Peter Sellers appears again as a timid British officer ("Captain Mandrake") who has become stuck against his will with the General as the madness unfolds. And what a supporting cast...George C. Scott as General Buck Turgidson is in top form, Slim Pickens as the bomber's commander and pilot (with one of the most classic "motivational" speeches to his crew as they prepare to attack), and we even get the screen debut of James Earl Jones as a crew member. The movie alternates between the military base General Ripper has locked down, the inside of the patrol bomber, and the War Room at the Pentagon (again, with Sellers as the President, along with General Turgidson and a wily Soviet Ambassador present amidst the other officers). One of the most classic lines of any comedy ever to me: "Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the war room." And finally Peter Sellers in the role of Dr. Strangelove himself, the crazed German ex-Nazi whose appearance is relatively brief in the film but so iconic. I never tire of re-watching this one...brilliant dark comedy of the highest order. This happens to be my favorite film of all time. I've seen it more than 75 times.
Yes, I keep count.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2021 17:59:09 GMT -5
Next up is 1968's The Party. This comedy is not without some controversy as the premise has Sellers playing an actor from India, with stereotyping including both his make-up/visual appearance as well as acting performance. I include it here for a couple of reasons, one of which Indira Gandhi was a fan and did not find it offensive, plus I also believe his characterization was not mean-spirited and actually the movie is very much based on what a positive and just all around good person he is (albeit in a very comical context).
The plot is rather very simple on the surface...he's accidently invited to a fancy party at the wealthy home of a studio head, and the movie is mostly the events of that night as the party goes on. It is truly a comedy of errors, and one might be tempted to casually dismiss it as just an endless succession of visual comedy moments. But what begins as a somewhat stuffy party where Sellers is out of his element, though always charming and the height of politeness, continues to become more and more absurd. Claudine Longet co-stars in her role as an aspiring actress who has been escorted to the party.
Without revealing more, I will say Sellers wins over many people throughout the evening simply by being himself, and it is comedy gold mixed with some touching moments at times as well. Very offbeat and entertaining, one of my favorite roles he was in.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2021 18:26:39 GMT -5
Rounding out the Sellers movies is back to 1964 with A Shot in the Dark.
Sellers will forever be associated with the Inspector, but this movie was the height of that role for me. "Clouseau" takes the full lead after the breakout performance in the original Pink Panther movie that David Niven had top billing in (and is a delightful movie in its own right).
Here he brings the comical exaggeration of the character to its fullest, including all of the arrogance and ineptitude, not to mention the ridiculous French accent, without falling into the caricature of itself that can be found increasingly in the later films in the series. The lovely Elke Sommer is equally magnificent as "Maria Gambrelli" who is the key suspect in the murder mystery that is central to the film's plot, but Clouseau is ever so smitten with despite being assigned to the case.
Herbert Lom likewise is brilliant as "Commissioner Dreyfus", depicting the madness the Inspector drives him to in classic form. And of course the late, great Burt Kwouk who forever immortalized the role of "Cato", who keeps Clouseau on his toes via rather extreme means.
Add in particularly excellent music from Henry Mancini, I always find this one a delight to come back and revisit.
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Post by tartanphantom on Jun 18, 2021 19:12:08 GMT -5
Next up is 1968's The Party. This comedy is not without some controversy as the premise has Sellers playing an actor from India, with stereotyping including both his make-up/visual appearance as well as acting performance. I include it here for a couple of reasons, one of which Indira Gandhi was a fan and did not find it offensive, plus I also believe his characterization was not mean-spirited and actually the movie is very much based on what a positive and just all around good person he is (albeit in a very comical context). The plot is rather very simple on the surface...he's accidently invited to a fancy party at the wealthy home of a studio head, and the movie is mostly the events of that night as the party goes on. It is truly a comedy of errors, and one might be tempted to casually dismiss it as just an endless succession of visual comedy moments. But what begins as a somewhat stuffy party where Sellers is out of his element, though always charming and the height of politeness, continues to become more and more absurd. Claudine Longet co-stars in her role as an aspiring actress who has been escorted to the party. Without revealing more, I will say Sellers wins over many people throughout the evening simply by being himself, and it is comedy gold mixed with some touching moments at times as well. Very offbeat and entertaining, one of my favorite roles he was in. "Bang! Howdy, Partner!"
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2021 19:16:20 GMT -5
I was thinking of that while I was writing this! So classic!
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Post by codystarbuck on Jun 18, 2021 22:21:41 GMT -5
Rounding out the Sellers movies is back to 1964 with A Shot in the Dark. Sellers will forever be associated with the Inspector, but this movie was the height of that role for me. "Clouseau" takes the full lead after the breakout performance in the original Pink Panther movie that David Niven had top billing in (and is a delightful movie in its own right). Here he brings the comical exaggeration of the character to its fullest, including all of the arrogance and ineptitude, not to mention the ridiculous French accent, without falling into the caricature of itself that can be found increasingly in the later films in the series. The lovely Elke Sommer is equally magnificent as "Maria Gambrelli" who is the key suspect in the murder mystery that is central to the film's plot, but Clouseau is ever so smitten with despite being assigned to the case. Herbert Lom likewise is brilliant as "Commissioner Dreyfus", depicting the madness the Inspector drives him to in classic form. And of course the late, great Burt Kwouk who forever immortalized the role of "Cato", who keeps Clouseau on his toes via rather extreme means. Add in particularly excellent music from Henry Mancini, I always find this one a delight to come back and revisit. A Shot in the Dark is greatly aided by being adapted from a stage mystery play, which gives it a pretty strong plot to build the gags around. I've always been rather lukewarm to the original Pink Panther movies. it isn't a great heist film (The Phantom is modelled on Raffles and Arsene Lupin) and Clouseau isn't quite yet the classic bumbler. It has farcical elements; but, I thought they were better played in A Shot in the Dark. Return of the Pink panther was actually a better caper film, setting aside the lunacy of Clouseau and Dreyfuss trying to kill him (the first PP movie I ever saw,; in the theater, too!). The original has a great cast and it's a fine comedy; but, it just kind of underwhelms me. It's not as funny as something like The Great Race or as romantic as How to Steal a Million.
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Post by codystarbuck on Jun 18, 2021 22:23:16 GMT -5
Enjoying a run of three of my favorite Peter Sellers movies, thought I'd share thoughts on each one: My all-time favorite comedy is 1964's Dr. Strangelove, the well-known Kubrick classic that likely needs no introduction to many. But as a brief recap, during the height of the Cold War a US General goes, as the President of the USA (one of multiple roles Sellers plays) says to the Soviet Premier "Kissov", a "little soft in the head" and sends orders to a US patrol bomber to conduct on a nuclear strike on the USSR. This General ("General Ripper") is played by Sterling Hayden who plays the role brilliantly, simultaneously staying in character as the hardened career officer while dropping one absurd line after another (anyone who remembers the "precious bodily fluids" knows what I'm talking about). Peter Sellers appears again as a timid British officer ("Captain Mandrake") who has become stuck against his will with the General as the madness unfolds. And what a supporting cast...George C. Scott as General Buck Turgidson is in top form, Slim Pickens as the bomber's commander and pilot (with one of the most classic "motivational" speeches to his crew as they prepare to attack), and we even get the screen debut of James Earl Jones as a crew member. The movie alternates between the military base General Ripper has locked down, the inside of the patrol bomber, and the War Room at the Pentagon (again, with Sellers as the President, along with General Turgidson and a wily Soviet Ambassador present amidst the other officers). One of the most classic lines of any comedy ever to me: "Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the war room." And finally Peter Sellers in the role of Dr. Strangelove himself, the crazed German ex-Nazi whose appearance is relatively brief in the film but so iconic. I never tire of re-watching this one...brilliant dark comedy of the highest order. We loved Dr Strangelove, in the military and some of the portrayals of the higher ups wasn't to far off the mark, especially that era. Some pilots were pretty much like Slim Pickens.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2021 22:56:01 GMT -5
A Shot in the Dark is greatly aided by being adapted from a stage mystery play, which gives it a pretty strong plot to build the gags around. I've always been rather lukewarm to the original Pink Panther movies. it isn't a great heist film (The Phantom is modelled on Raffles and Arsene Lupin) and Clouseau isn't quite yet the classic bumbler. It has farcical elements; but, I thought they were better played in A Shot in the Dark. Return of the Pink panther was actually a better caper film, setting aside the lunacy of Clouseau and Dreyfuss trying to kill him (the first PP movie I ever saw,; in the theater, too!). The original has a great cast and it's a fine comedy; but, it just kind of underwhelms me. It's not as funny as something like The Great Race or as romantic as How to Steal a Million. Return of the Pink Panther was the first one I saw as well, and I loved it. I actually remember then renting the first movie, but likewise being underwhelmed. As you said, the Clouseau character wasn't quite fully developed yet, and it just didn't grab me the same way. What also confused me is that I didn't realize a Shot in the Dark was a Pink Panther movie and happened in between. After watching the other two, I was trying to figure out things like when did he give Cato instructions to attack him at any time. Finally figured out I was missing a key movie! And it was such a pleasure finding and renting the "missing Clouseau" as it were. Back to the first Pink Panther, that one ended up growing on me more because I became a big fan of David Niven, and particularly enjoyed his scenes with Claudia Cardinale where he was being his usual charming self.
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Post by brutalis on Jun 27, 2021 12:24:39 GMT -5
This mornings watching is 1977's High Anxiety from Mel Brooks, Spoofing Hitchcock for his first speaking role as lead star(Silent movie was actually 1st but SILENT ya'll know?) Playing psychiatrist Richard H (for Harpo) Thorndyke. Giving a rather subdued (for Brooks) performance as the good doctor fighting his fear of heights and criminals at his new job.
Plenty of creative parodies with Psycho and the Birds with really stand out moments. I also love Madeline Kahn in this one (her matching outfit/car is too funny) and her enjoying what she believes to be an obscene phone call when it's actually Brooks being strangled when he calls her.
Lots of familiar faces in the usual Brooks acting troupe. Cloris Leachman portrays yet another scary and rather ugly mustachioed nurse. Rudy DeLuca as a bit of a whack job trying to do a whack job on Brooks. Harvey Korman's resentful sexually lascivious associate at the institute also stands out.
An enjoyable tribute to Mr. Hitchcock
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Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2021 12:57:33 GMT -5
This mornings watching is 1977's High Anxiety from Mel Brooks, Spoofing Hitchcock for his first speaking role as lead star(Silent movie was actually 1st but SILENT ya'll know?) Playing psychiatrist Richard H (for Harpo) Thorndyke. Giving a rather subdued (for Brooks) performance as the good doctor fighting his fear of heights and criminals at his new job. Plenty of creative parodies with Psycho and the Birds with really stand out moments. I also love Madeline Kahn in this one (her matching outfit/car is too funny) and her enjoying what she believes to be an obscene phone call when it's actually Brooks being strangled when he calls her. Lots of familiar faces in the usual Brooks acting troupe. Cloris Leachman portrays yet another scary and rather ugly mustachioed nurse. Rudy DeLuca as a bit of a whack job trying to do a whack job on Brooks. Harvey Korman's resentful sexually lascivious associate at the institute also stands out. An enjoyable tribute to Mr. Hitchcock I LOVE High Anxiety, this is actually my favorite Mel Brooks film. Enjoyed the whole cast for the reasons you listed, but Cloris Leachman particularly cracked me up, she was so over the top.
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Post by Hoosier X on Jun 27, 2021 13:26:08 GMT -5
I saw High Anxiety in the theater as a teenager. My mom took us. I realize now the only reason I got most of the jokes is because my mom made us watch lots of classic films when I was a kid so that by the time I was 12, I had seen Psycho, North by Northwest and The Birds.
I’ve seen it a few times. It’s hilarious! But my favorite is The Producers.
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Post by Hoosier X on Jun 27, 2021 13:28:06 GMT -5
As for Peter Sellers ... I’m going to make a few suggestions.
I’m Alright, Jack The Bobo Penny Points to Paradise
Especially I’m Alright, Jack. It’s an unknown gem. One of my favorite British films.
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Post by Calidore on Jun 27, 2021 14:43:55 GMT -5
It's funny, you'd expect more silliness from Mel Brooks playing the lead, but he understood that the central character needed to be the straight man, and he played a pretty good one. Much like Gene Wilder in Silver Streak, as a matter of fact.
I'll put in Young Frankenstein as my favorite Brooks movie. A few years ago, I watched Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, and Young Frankenstein as a triple feature, and that was lots of fun.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2021 16:09:07 GMT -5
Perhaps the best film in its genre. Musuraca shooting, Jacques Tourneur directing, Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer, Kirk Douglas, Rhonda Fleming in the cast. For film noir, it just doesn't get any better-- perhaps Billy Wilder's Double Indemnity or Preminger's Laura (another great performance by Gene Tierney) come the closest. Nothing against Bogart or Alan Ladd, I like them too, but this is just my personal opinion. Out of the Past is strictly top-hole-- If a Criterion edition were available, I'd buy it in a heartbeat.
Giving this comment a bump, I had only seen Double Indemnity out of these three before. My wife and I rented Out of the Past, we loved it! I don't want to give any spoilers obviously, but oh the machinations of a "certain character". The cast is fantastic all around. I'm a big Kirk Douglas fan in general and always appreciate a movie he appears in. Something about his onscreen presence always projects "Kirk Douglas" to me even beyond the character he's supposed to play, but it also always seems to work brilliantly and this movie was no exception. We also rented Laura. Likewise loved this one, and again will avoid any overt spoilers, but when the "twist" occurred, I actually had to rewind and watch the scene again to make sure what I thought was happening actually was. Brilliant film, and fantastic recommendations, I may be a film noir fan yet!
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Post by Hoosier X on Jun 27, 2021 16:18:27 GMT -5
Here’s three more noir recommendations:
Detour Too Late for Tears Where Danger Lives
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