The Great Race.

Review #2396: The Great Race.

Cast: 

Jack Lemmon (Professor Fate and Prince Friedrich Hapnick), Tony Curtis (Leslie Gallant III, aka The Great Leslie), Natalie Wood (Maggie DuBois), Peter Falk (Maximillian Mean), Keenan Wynn (Hezekiah Sturdy), Arthur O'Connell (Henry Goodbody), Vivian Vance (Hester Goodbody), Dorothy Provine (Lily Olay), Larry Storch (Texas Jack), Ross Martin (Baron Rolf von Stuppe), Hal Smith (the Mayor of Boracho), Denver Pyle (the Sheriff of Boracho), and Marvin Kaplan (Fisbee) Directed by Blake Edwards (#329 - The Pink Panther, #481 - The Party, #899 - A Shot in the Dark, #1461 - 10)

Review: 

Every couple of years, some folks try to do a homage to the old favorites. But when you are Blake Edwards, why the hell not? The Oklahoma native grew up with a stepfather that was the son of a silent movie director (J. Gordon Edwards). Sure, he didn't become a film production manager like him, but Edwards did jobs as an actor before serving in the United States Coast Guard before becoming a director in the television-friendly 1950s. He became a director worth watching closely with films such as Operation Petticoat (1959), Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961), Days of Wine and Roses (1962), and, well, The Pink Panther series, obviously. With The Great Race, it took a few years to get things rolling. Apparently, the idea for the film was conceived by Edwards in 1960 that took inspiration from the 1908 automobile race from New York City to Paris, France. Arthur A. Ross was brought in to develop a story to present that eventually saw him hired to do a more substantial script. While Maurice Richlin was recruited to polish the script, only Ross got credit for the screenplay to go with a story that was credited to Ross and Edwards. Amidst bad weather and overrun that meant a budget of $12 million, the movie was not exactly a considerable success at the time of release in July of 1965*, but at least Edwards kept busy (his next film came with What Did You Do in the War, Daddy? the following year), and he kept going with his slapstick interests with such films as The Party (1968).

The last few years brought folks to view people pop in for a potential chuckle with Around the World in 80 Days (1956) and It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963). So, we have a pretty neat Lemmon, a worthy sidekick to accompany him in Falk, and even a decent time to spend with Wood (to a point). Hell, and then there is Curtis, our hero to try and hold along a wobbly story, fine gags, and plenty of time to consider the scope of movies, I suppose. In short, Great Race is either on par with Around the World or a bit lower. Apparently, there were quite a few names considered for the role ranging from Paul Newman to Charlton Heston. Pity. For whatever reason, Curtis and his performance is akin to someone saying the lines bit-by-bit for a silent movie. Maybe his blandness is supposed to be the point, but my God, his presence is practically eaten by everyone else in the film. The clash between him and Wood that comes up every now and then does not really gel for anything other than cheap gags (get it, get it, a woman trying to stick up for herself). Apparently, Wood only did the film so she could get to play the lead for Inside Daisy Clover (1965). At least she has the grace and chops to try and have fun with the material in all of the bumps on the road for a character that might be thought of as a chore with a lesser actor (for starters, having a character try and rid us of Keenan Wynn's character for even just a bit of time is a foolhardy mistake if we're talking about comparing timing) in a movie with really just five people to see for more than a few minutes of a 160-minute movie. Falk (a regular supporting presence in movies at the time**) is wonderful of course, tagging with Lemmon for worthwhile hijinks, particularly in his expressions and only men of stone find ways to not like Wynn and his timing. The assortment of people who show up are fine for small bits (Provine gets a song while Martin gets to look from afar). The slapstick as a whole is fine, albeit in that dragging sense where you just have to have so much little gags to even get the actual race rolling (it starts with our dastardly villain popping balloons, for example). And then the movie goes into doing an imitation of The Prisoner of Zenda. Sure. The movie wanted to have a great big pie fight akin to, well, you know. It apparently was the longest pie fight sequence in terms of staging and whatever (basically, it took five days and thousands of pies). The quibble I have is that the one person who deserves to be pie'd is Curtis, and he barely gets hit at all. Keep in mind, Lemmon gets double duty with playing two characters as an acceptable ham, but the bland hero? Barely anything, god forbid. Call me a nut for picking and choosing to obsess over plot motivations, but getting from Point A to Point B in the resolution (i.e. the race doesn't end in a true finish because I guess it shows his love or whatever and it couldn't wait until five minutes later) is a bit hokey for a movie called "great race". As a whole, Lemmon and company hold the movie together in what could've just been a crash-out into just making the finish line with the best of intentions. You'll get some chuckles, some interesting visuals and a little bit of everything that could make a worthy candidate among the long-winded epics of its time, if you dare.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

*Evidently at some point in time, the movie made $25 million. The big winner at any rate would be Treg Brown, who won an Academy Award for Best Sound Effects for this film.

**Falk was an Academy Award nominated actor by then, for Murder, Inc. (1960) and Pocketful of Miracles (1961). Of course, Columbo loomed a few years later.

10.

Review #1461: 10.

Cast: 
Dudley Moore (George Webber), Julie Andrews (Samantha Taylor), Bo Derek (Jenny Hanley), Robert Webber (Hugh), Dee Wallace (Mary Lewis), Sam J. Jones (David Hanley), Nedra Volz (Mrs. Kissell), Brian Dennehy (Don, the bartender), and Max Showalter (Reverend) Written and Directed by Blake Edwards (#329 - The Pink Panther, #481 - The Party, and #899 - A Shot in the Dark)

Review: 
"For someone who wants to practice his art in this business, all you can hope to do, as S.O.B. says, is stick to your guns, make the compromises you must, and hope that somewhere along the way you acquire a few good friends who understand. And keep half a conscience"

Blake Edwards was a good director when one was in need of a laugh. He had started a career in film as an actor, working in small parts beginning in 1942 (having turned 20), but he soon found more interest in being behind the camera instead. After serving in the United States Coast Guard, he started writing with Panhandle (1948), which he co-wrote and co-produced with John C. Champion. He made his debut in directing with television in Four State Playhouse (1953) and film with Bring Your Smile Along (1955), while having also been behind the creation shows such as Richard Diamond, Private Detective (1957-60) and Peter Gunn (1958-61). With a string of hits and misses, Edwards is best known for The Pink Panther film series, which he directed/wrote eight of the nine original films (1963-1993); additional highlights include Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961), Day of Wine and Roses (1962), and S.O.B. (1981).

The original actor intended for the title role was George Segal, who walked off the set right as filming began, apparently because he felt that Edwards was using the film and Segal to help give Andrews a revival (with a song and dance sequence being included for her). Beyond the fact that it never hurts to have more of Andrews (in her third collaboration with Edwards, her husband and first film in five years), it is amusing to think that music prodigy-turned-comedian/composer Moore stepped in and found a bit more footing in Hollywood roles because of such a silly decision. As for the film itself, it is a fair charmer that works well as a comedy of human nature - in this case, a crisis about reaching middle age and wanting something you just can't have. In this case, it just so happens to be a younger woman, and Moore is quite amusing enough to make his quixotic pursuit a reliably amusing one, one with a fine sense of timing whether with others or when left to other devices that make a comedy of predicaments. Although Andrews isn't in the film as much, she makes for some reasoned moments, just as bright and quick to resonate with care and a bit of singing to go as well. Derek (in her second film role that gained her a following while known primarily as the star of  numerous films directed by her husband John) makes a worthy match in being the ideal alongside having a touch of humor for when she is given to do for the climax. Webber makes for a cheeky presence in parts while Dennehy proves an interesting presence to pair with Moore to fill out the highlights of a decently packed cast. The gags are fairly more hit than miss (whether involving telescopes, the beach or passerby cars-and-phone calls), which go with a casual 70's flair for a fair curiosity. The film does run a bit long at 122 minutes, with a first half that runs a bit sillier than the second one, but there is enough amusement and charm present to make a useful capsule for its time with some relevance today about getting old and trying to fling away from it all - for better or worse.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

The list for next month of the 1980s...stay tuned.

A Shot in the Dark.

Review #899: A Shot in the Dark.

Cast:
Peter Sellers (Jacques Clouseau), Elke Sommer (Maria Gambrelli), George Sanders (Benjamin Ballon), Herbert Lom (Charles Dreyfus), Tracy Reed (Dominique Ballon), Graham Stark (Hercule Lajoy), Moira Redmond (Simone), Vanda Godsell (Madame LaFarge), Maurice Kaufmann (Pierre), Ann Lynn (Dudu), David Lodge (Georges), André Maranne (François), Martin Benson (Maurice), and Burt Kwouk (Kato) Directed by Blake Edwards (#329 - The Pink Panther and #481 - The Party)

Review:
One thing that definitely can be said about this is that it certainly continues the laughs from The Pink Panther (released less with Sellers in control this time around as the main lead, with a more peculiar accent that became the hallmark of the character. With a great deal of slapstick and gags that combine with an engaging cast willing to have fun, A Shot in the Dark is also a fine sequel, while introducing newcomers that would become mainstays in the franchise, such as Lom as the long-suffering Dreyfus and Kwouk as Cato, the skilled servant used to "help" Clouseau in keeping his skills. Both are prime in their roles, with the latter getting especially more compelling the more the film goes on. It's also a pretty decent mystery as well, where the facts and allure balance handily with a movie that never veers too seriously but also never veers too ridiculously off-point, where every scene has something worth watching. Sellers and Sommer have a fair balance of chemistry together, right from their opening scene, where Clouseau catches on fire. Sellers seems at ease doing this role, with the right sense of bumbling incompetence that never ceases to entertain nor overstay its welcome, even when it repeats a gag or two a few times. I'd say some of the situations, but that just spoils the fun of what is a good romp. The movie gets wild, but it never goes completely off the rails, always having a sense of responsibility, with a fairly concocted climax as well.  At 102 minutes, A Shot in the Dark is also pretty well paced, having the right amount of gags and characters to make for a fun movie for anyone.

Countdown to #900: 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Tomorrow night: Number Nine Hundred.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Party (1968).

Review #481: The Party.

Cast
Peter Sellers (Hrundi V. Bakshi), Claudine Longet (Michele Monet), Natalia Borisova (Ballerina), Jean Carson (Nanny), Marge Champion (Rosalind Dunphy), Al Checco (Bernard Stein), Corinne Cole (Janice Kane), Dick Crockett (Wells), Frances Davis (The Maid), and Danielle De Metz (Stella D'Angelo) Directed by Blake Edwards (#329 - The Pink Panther)

Review
The Party is probably one of the more ambitious comedies ever made, with about 35% plot, yet 110% gags, with Peter Sellers, who never seems to miss a beat, with everything combining into a bizarre, but funny, film. Sellers is odd, but given his bumbling performance in The Pink Panther, Sellers seems to play bumbling fools particularly well, especially when the film around him serves to show off his talent, but even the rest of the cast are fun to watch, especially given the fact their are so many characters in this film, and so many things for them all to do. The gags are endless, but they sure are memorable, especially near the end, which are too fun to spoil here. Edwards does a fine job directing such an elaborate film, which is evident in the house, a huge set, given the pools in and out of the house, and the many, many rooms, which serve to set up the gags, and for that I applaud Edwards. It's a mostly memorable film that will entertain most, if not all.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Movie Night: The Pink Panther (1964).

Review #329: The Pink Panther.

Cast
David Niven (Sir Charles Lytton), Peter Sellers (Inspector Jacques Clouseau), Robert Wagner (George Lytton), Capucine (Simone Clouseau), Claudia Cardinale (Princess Dala), Brenda De Banzie (Angela Dunning), and Colin Gordon (Tucker) Directed by Blake Edwards.

Review
I get to review David Niven and Peter Sellers once again (Casino Royale (1967 - #224), but in a different way, without the nonsensicalness or the Bond in name only stuff of it, but...a funnier film. This was actually the first of a franchise, revolving around the character Inspector Clouseau. In this film he is essentially one part of an ensemble, with Niven, Wagner, Capucine, and Cardinale. Sellers does manage to steal a good chunk of the show with his bumbling antics combined with some fun dialogue.  It doesn't seem dated and it does have some intrigue, with some fun gags. It hits most of time rather than missing, as this is a classic.

Overall, I give it 9 out of 10 stars.