Peter Sellers

Peter Sellers (1925 - 1980)

Often credited as one of the greatest comedians of all time, Peter Sellers was best known for his portrayal of Inspector Clouseau in Blake Edwards' Pink Panther series.

He first burst into prominence on the British radio comedy programme "The Goon Show" (1951-1960), making his debut in films in 1951, before making it big as one of the criminals in "The Lady Killers" (1955). He got his first big break in "I'm All Right Jack" (1959). The film's success led to more starring roles into the 60s that showed off his extreme comic talents to its fullest. Apart from the first two Pink Panther films, he went on to star in many films (most of them were low-budget movies, see below) during that period. Sellers' trademarks were his ability to change his voice and appearance and he often played multiple characters, including his comical portrayals of Asian characters.


Dr Strangelove Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb (1964) : A cult movie filmed in black and white by the famous director Stanley Kubrick. This black comedy masterpiece is about the absurdities of the nuclear arm race. Great performace from an all-star cast with Sellers in three roles, George C. Scott, Slim Pickens and James Earl Jones in his first movie role.


What's New Pussycat? (1965): Inspite of a strong cast, this dated comedy has few laughs and is panned by critics as a silly movie. It stars Peter O'Toole as a fashion editor who can't stop becoming romantically involved with his models. Sellers is his psychoanalyst who can't help O'Toole either since he (Sellers) is busy courting his patients who in turns long for O'Toole. A catastrophe appears on the horizon as all characters check into a hotel for the weekend not knowing of each other's presence. It co-star Woody Allen (in his first movie role), Ursula Andress and Capucine. And yes, Tom Jone sang the theme song, of course.


After The Fox (1966) : Sellers plays The Fox, one of the greatest criminals of the world and master of disguise. He schemes to move $3 million worth of gold bullion from Cairo to Rome. To cover his tracks, he pretends to be an Italian director shooting a movie at the coastal village where the gold will come in. With Neil Simon as screenwriter, the movie definitely has its moments and manages a few belly laughs. Brit Ekland, Mrs Sellers at the time, plays his movie-struck sister. Victor Mature, who plays a Hollywood has-been, steals a few screens. I can't help laughing out loud watching the village policeman who always tries to put himself in front of the camera. Neil Simon is the screenwriter while The Hollies (with Peter Sellers) sing the theme song.

The Bobo (1967): A bumbling matador (Peter Sellers) has to seduce a high-priced courtesan (Brit Ekland again) in order to get employmen as a singer. Forgetable.

The Party (1968): After the disastrous Bobo, this is a better effort from the comedian. This is the closest Sellers ever came to doing a one-man show on film. He plays an actor from India who mistakenly gets invited to a plush Hollywood party, where he falls all over himself and causes plenty of mishaps and pratfalls. The party is spoiled, of course, with water and bubbles everywhere, and yes, an elephant, too. Personally, I chose the first 10 minutes of the film (before the party) where Sellers playing an movie extra who refuses to die.

There are only a couple of Sellers films in the 70s worth watching after his relative failure in some low grade movies.

Murder By Death (1976): Mystery buffs will get a big kick out of this spoof of the genre, penned by Neil Simon. Sellers, Peter Falk, David Niven, Maggie Smith, James Coco play thinly disguised spoofs of famed fictional detectives who are invited to the house of Truman Capote to solve a baffling murder. Included are a blind butler (Alec Guinness), a deaf-mute maid (Nancy Walk), screams, secret passages, spinning rooms, false identities, plot turns and twists to keep viewers engrossed.

Being There (1979): This sublimely funy and biting satiric comedy proves to a last hurray for Sellers. His portrayal as a simple-minded gardener - who knows only what he sees on television yet rises to great political heights - is a classic. The movie earned him a Best Actor Oscar nomination. Shirley MacLaine is also excellent in this memorable film.

His last movie, The Fiendish Plot of Dr Fu Manchu (1980), completed just before his death, proved to be another flop.

Some trivia on Peter Sellers:

• Duet with Sopia Loren, the song "Goodness Gracious Me" was released in 1960 and reachded the top four on the UK chart.
• A cover of The Beatles' "A Hard Day's Night" released in 1965 reached 14 in UK chart.
• Sellers was the first male to appear on the cover of Playboy Magazine, in April 1964.
• He was one of the favourite actors of Elvis Presley who always had the Pink Panther films with him on the airplane while he was on tour.
• Prince Charles has been a fan of Sellers since "The Goon Show".