The Party (1968)

I've seen this movie maybe 20 times since I first saw it in network TV in Sydney as a youngster. Since then I've watched it with 2 wives, my kids and grandkids and lifelong friends as devoted to it's magic as I am. I'm not mad in Sellers but this piece of pantomime magic must be his crowning achievement. In the opening sequences he's sounding a bugle retreat as he gets shot about 50 times and each time the bugle call struggles but makes a comeback. That sequenced caused me to miss two days of school because I laughed so hard I felt I'd been hit by a truck. So many moments and one liners that are still part of my family's in jokes. See it. Own it.

This movie is so funny, that alone deserves 10 stars. But, on top of that, there's this great mid-century modern house which also takes part in the party. It's like a living member of the cast. Peter Sellers sports black/brown face. I'm guessing, that was easier than finding an equally talented Indian actor to play an Indian actor. Peter Sellers was one of the most talented actors that ever lived. The Party is everything. It's how I wanna live and where I wanna live. My ultimate fantasy.

Blake Edwards and Peter Sellers had a rocky relationship, but undoubtedly produced some brilliant moments of cinema together across this and the legendary 'Pink Panther' films.I personally don't rate this team up particularly highly. The premise is thin, the joke are quite obvious in places and Peter Sellers is clearly mugging for every little moment he can wring out of an average script.Yes, it's a master class of sorts in terms of physical comedy, with some silent elements, but it for me felt like one of those films where everyone was having a better time making it than I was watching it.

I must have seen it 100 times and know this movie line by line. However, it was the first time for my kids and they enjoyed a lot. This is very difficult these days when people have the attention span of a mouse... Steve Franken ( aka the drunken butler ) steals the show, he's something else... It is quite unbelievable that Peter Sellers was pretty hard to live and work with to see that Peter Sellers was a comedic genius. Mind you I never enjoyed The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu (1980) or Casino Royale (1967), however I remember where I was when learned of his death. I think his best role I think is Chance the gardener in Being There. You know when you still walk around the house saying: Burdie num, num or Kato my little yellow friend , 40 years on, it means something. My kids think I'm crazy , probably ! lol