Quote: Kenneth @ July 18 2010, 10:35 PM BSTHave you seen Where Does It Hurt?
No I haven't. Is it available on DVD?
Peter Sellers - 30th anniversary of death Page 4
Quote: James Cotter @ July 19 2010, 11:11 AM BSTNo I haven't. Is it available on DVD?
Oh yes. Either as a single disc or as part of a 7 quid collection of three films that some people might unkindly refer to as Peter Sellers - The Crap Collection: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001F0ET92/comedyguide-21/
The Blockhouse is rather different from his usual fare (I don't think it was ever deemed worthy of theatrical release), but it does co-star Charles Aznavour, who incidentally played the coolest piece of piano music ever filmed in Truffaut's Shoot the Pianist.
Thanks for that. I'll order it now.
Careful, you might not like Orders Are Orders - despite the presence of Tony Hancock, Sid James and Peter Sellers - as it is, er, a bit lame.
Quote: Kenneth @ July 19 2010, 11:47 AM BSTCareful, you might not like Orders Are Orders - despite the presence of Tony Hancock, Sid James and Peter Sellers - as it is, er, a bit lame.
I almost ordered it the other day because of it's cast even though I was told it wasn't very good.
Quote: Kenneth @ July 18 2010, 10:08 PM BSTGood film, but not really memorable as a great Peter Sellers film.
That's why I like it. It's a great ensemble piece, packed with talent from Guinesss to Sellers to Lom. I think in later years, as Sellers became a star, his films became a little show-offy as he raided the dressing up box to show us how many characters he could do. The later Pink Panther films were the worst offenders.
Thinking of covering I Haven't Told Her, She Hasn't Told Me (But We Know It's Just The Same) from Sellers's album Songs For Swingin' Sellers or possible A Hard Day's Night. It would be nice to record a little tribute to one of my heroes.
Quote: chipolata @ July 19 2010, 6:32 PM BSTI think in later years, as Sellers became a star, his films became a little show-offy as he raided the dressing up box to show us how many characters he could do.
I toally agree there, his late 60s output is far inferior to his early 60s film output. He got so many offers of comedy film roles, he bagan to enjoy them less and less, apparently. Producers knew he was a workaholic, a bit of an ego too and found it very hard to turn down starring roles, so he was taken full advantage of. Some were good but few had the quality of his mainly British films up to about 1965, when the zany slapstick roles started pouring in.
When an offbeat dramatic role came along in 1969 he jumped at it, as he was desperate to play a deeper character for a change. 'Hoffman' is an unusual story but it's one of my favourite PS films. It's slow, a bit strange, not PC, quite deep, very well written and Sellers looks great in a straight role, no funny voices, no falling over, no over acting. Highly recommend Hoffman to anyone who hasn't seen it yet. Had to get a 4 DVD boxset to get the film, but it is was only a fiver and includes Two Way Stretch! 
My fav Sellers film is 'A Shot in the Dark'.
I've watched it so many times and he's fantastic in it (innit). Incompetent but vulnerable, some great set pieces, Hercule is a great side kick and the music is so much better than the more famous Pink Panther theme.
Here's one clippette I found.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fas4QeirLNY
...amazing...
No you're right, I'd forgotten The Ladykillers and Long Arm...he was indeed very good in them both with a sort of timeless charm. I stand corrected. Being There, however, I can't stand at all.
The Duke of York's cinema in Brighton is holding a special Peter Sellers event on Sunday (25th July 2010).
Following a rare screening of Dr Strangelove, there will be a Q&A with a special guest panel featuring Burt Kwouk, Sarah Sellers and Barry Cryer.
For more info: http://www.thespace.me.uk/
Quote: greensville @ July 19 2010, 9:53 PM BSTMy fav Sellers film is 'A Shot in the Dark'.
I've watched it so many times and he's fantastic in it (innit). Incompetent but vulnerable, some great set pieces, Hercule is a great side kick and the music is so much better than the more famous Pink Panther theme.
Here's one clippette I found.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fas4QeirLNY
...amazing...
A Shot In The Dark is good, especially the scene with Clouseau and the globe, also the opening exchange with Clouseau and Dreyfus at the sanatorium in Pink Panther Strikes Again
My favourite Pink Panther too easily. My fave scene's probably the billiards room, tho it's a tough call because it's got some of the best scenes from the whole series in that film. It's got the best music, Elke Sommers nude, sort of, and the brilliantly dry George Sanders. Shame it went downhill after that one.
Quote: sidecar jon @ July 18 2010, 9:30 PM BST"...geniuses often are aren't they..."
I enjoyed the Pink Panther films at the time and I guess The Goons, but what else has stood the test of time? (isn't just a historical curiosity)
His British black and white films stand up much better than the later Hollywood films, with Sellers embarrassing himself playing middle aged hippies getting down with hip chicks.
Fans of Rev may enjoy Sellers' socialist vicar mistakenly sent to a rural village in Heavens Above. Great support from Eric Sykes as well.
I'm surprised some posters don't like Being There which was probably the best thing he ever did outside of Britain. I only saw it the first time a few years ago in a world of banal new Labour soundbites, it still felt fresh.
Can anyone recall the name of the film in which Sellers writes play reviews for the local paper without seeing the productions, to cover for his affair with Mai Zetterling?
Quote: youngian @ July 21 2010, 12:58 PM BSTCan anyone recall the name of the film in which Sellers writes play reviews for the local paper without seeing the productions, to cover for his affair with Mai Zetterling?
Only Two Can Play.
Quote: youngian @ July 21 2010, 12:58 PM BSTHis British black and white films stand up much better than the later Hollywood films, with Sellers embarrassing himself playing middle aged hippies getting down with hip chicks.
I liked Alice B. Toklas and adored There's A Girl in My Soup. Bit ambivalent about Hoffman though. He wasn't a hippie in the latter two though. He did have long hair in What's New Pussycat but was more of a beatnik shrink than a hippy.