Sellers, Edwards team on only non-‘Pink Panther’ comedy

THE PARTY (1968)

By TERRY R. CASSREINO

Four years after director Blake Edwards and actor Peter Sellers finished their second Inspector Clouseau film, the two teamed again in 1968 for one of the most unconventional screen comedies ever made.

“The Party” is rarely mentioned when people talk about Edward’s long list of memorable film comedies that include “The Pink Panther” series, “Victor/Victoria” and “10.” And Sellers’ fans seem to forget “The Party” and usually focus on the “Pink Panther” films.

But with “The Party,” Sellers and Edwards prove they had more talent than people ever imagined. This hilarious, fish-out-of-water comedy is droll, off-beat, filled with great sight gags and uncontrollably hilarious.

Sellers stars as Hrundi V. Bakshi, an unknown Indian actor who has a small role in a big-budget epic motion picture. Despite his repeated clumsiness, Bakshi accidentally gets himself invited to a lavish Hollywood dinner party.

That’s when the fun begins. From the moment Bakshi arrives, all hell breaks loose. It’s one calamity after another, all caused unwittingly by Bakshi. Some folks have compared “The Party” to comedies by French filmmaker Jacques Tati.

I’ve seen some of Tati’s famous French comedies. While they play essentially like a silent film –  like “The Party,” Tati’s movies emphasize strong visual slapstick and sight gags over verbal humor – I have never found his work to be funny.

PETER SELLERS IN THE PARTY (1968)

Remember, French critics and movie-goers also think Jerry Lewis is a comic genius. I don’t.

I find Edwards and Sellers’ “The Party” a bold experiment in film comedy. The film, built around a thin story, is an excuse for Sellers to use his improvisational comedic talents.

Example: Bakshi arrives at the Hollywood party and instantly loses his shoe in a large fountain and stream that flows through the house (this is 1960s modern architecture). He spends the next few agonizingly funny minutes trying to fish the shoe out of the water and creating repeated mayhem.

I won’t say anything else about the movie. You’ll just have to see it for yourself (the film is available for rental and purchase on DVD).

The film’s screenplay is credited to Edwards, Frank Waldman and Tom Waldman – folks who at one point or another contributed to “The Pink Panther” series. But the short 63-page length left the bulk of the laughs to Edwards’ smooth direction and Sellers’ performance.

By the way, Edwards and Sellers returned to “The Pink Panther” series seven years later in 1975 with “The Return of the Pink Panther.” “The Party” was Edwards and Sellers only collaboration outside “The Pink Panther” series.


“The Party” is available for rental or purchase on DVD. Click here to purchase the film through Amazon.com. The movie is suitable for all ages.
















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