If there was one male actor from my lifetime that I miss the most from seeing at the movies, its Peter Sellers. He did many great roles--sometimes, as in "The Mouse That Roared" (1959) and "Dr. Strangelove" (1963) more than one in a single film!--and excelled both in physical comedy and as a compelling character actor. I remember reading about his death in 1980, then shortly after going to see his last great role as "Chance, the Gardener" in "Being There" (1979) for the second time. It was a sad but enjoyable experience. I thought then that Sellers was irreplaceable as an international comic actor and, outside of some inspired moments from the likes of Jim Carrey and Robin Williams (the latter of whom Sellers cited as a fine talent), I don't see anyone who even approaches Sellers' range today in major roles.
Here's a brief clip of the "physical" Sellers at work: playing Inspector Clouseau in "Return of the Pink Panther" from 1975. The movie was a huge comeback film for Sellers, who had been stuck for several years in comic projectd that were box-office duds. The success of this film resurrected his career (and that of writer-director Blake Edwards) and made it possible for two more Clouseau film. It also gave Sellers the ability to make "Being There"--a book he loved--into a film.
Excellent clip Doug, I too am a great fan of Peter Sellers as I think most people of my age are and even some youngsters like yourself. One of my favourite Sellers films is not to be found on You Tube however and seems to have been rather forgotten, perhaps because the ending is considered weak letting down the film as a whole. The movie in question is Heavens Above (1963) where Sellers plays a vicar who tries to implement Christian teachings in a material world with predictably disastrous effect. I was particularly impressed when I saw this film as a kid because Sellers plays a resident of Birmingham where I was born and it was the first time I had heard a 'Brummie' accent in a film or on TV. Brummie is the most disliked and despised accent in the whole of the British Isles (although it has been made more well known nowadays by Ozzie Osbourne). The film is a satire on Christendom and also capitalism, I think it was a really great film myself although it's been years since I last saw it, I would love to see it again.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this hilarious scene which I certainly can identify with myself Doug.
I've only seen the film once, but its one I'd like to see again, because of your comments, renewed memories, and some feedback from other Sellers fans on the web. The ending was a flat space-age bit as I recall.
ReplyDeleteWhy, pray tell, are "Brummie" accents so despised?
I was not aware you had such a man crush on Peter Sellers. Is your wife awareof your desires?
ReplyDeleteJust kidding.
Here is one of favorite scenes of all time
I admit to it, which is the first step toward recovery ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for that clip. One of the best bits in that film. Breaks me up even though I know what the innkeeper is going to say.