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I agree with the other reviewers that this is a forgotten gem. Sellers' portrayal of Italian thief Vanucci is as funny as his Clousseau! It satirizes peoples' obsession with film beautifully from wannabe actors to starstruck townspeople to film critics. (IMDbers take note!) Mike Myers gave this film a nod when he used one of its bits in an Austin Powers movie: instead of the contact speaking while Sellers kisses his beautiful sister, Austin is preoccupied with Nathan Lane!
Victor Mature gets laughs as the aging actor. The scene in which Ekland runs her fingers through his hair, and they end up covered in black dye is just one of the film's funny gags. I first saw this movie in the early 80s, and I thought of President Reagan!
Neil Simon delivers good writing as usual, and The Hollies and Burt Bacharach make some good music!
If The Life and Death of Peter Sellers is to be believed, Sellers and Ekland were having a miserable time during filming, which makes it more remarkable that this film works.
score 10/10
mclarenracer 15 August 2007
Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw1712883/ |
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4-4-2021 00:05:24