Studiocanal will be releasing an 8 disc Blu-ray set as part of the Vintage Classics label, for Peter Sellers’ Centenary celebrations.
The new release showcases the prestigious talent and range of one of Britain’s finest comedic stars, Peter Sellers.
The films have been covered previously on this website with releases of Two Way Stretch (1960), Heavens Above! (1963) and Carlton Browne of the F.O. (1959).
In conjunction with those less heralded titles are the magnificent The Ladykillers (1955) and I’m All Right Jack (1959) – these films of the 1950s showed the skill of Sellers to work so well in an ensemble allowing the spotlight to fall on him when necessary without stealing from illustrious cast mates as Alec Guiness and Terry-Thomas.
One of the fine discoveries of this boxset is The Smallest Show on Earth (1957); in this film Sellers plays an elderly projectionist (not appearing for the first twenty minutes) in a rundown cinema inherited by an upwardly mobile status seeking couple.
Sellers capability and chameleonic skill to portray men of all ages was key to his drawing acclaim from over the atlantic and eventually becoming a global star when portraying Inspector Closeau in Blake Edwards’ The Pink Panther (1963) and his triple roles in Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove the following year for which he earned his first Academy Award nomination.
From sly satire to uproarious farce, these eight films showcase Sellers at his most mischievous, magnetic, and masterful. A protean comic actor who first came to prominence on the popular radio series The Goon Show (1951–1960), he went on to graduate from radio and television to significant film roles, demonstrating a remarkable gift for character transformation and establishing himself as one of the world’s most acclaimed comedy stars.
What’s included on the collection?
The films in full featured are as follows, note the names of the directors they are a who’s who of the post-war British film industry and show how Sellers always surrounded himself with capable and people as gifted as he was
The Ladykillers (Alexander Mackendrik, 1955) – Ealing Studios comedy. A group of bank robbers pose as musicians in an elderly woman’s home as they master their plan
The Smallest Show on Earth (Basil Dearden, 1957) – fish out of water class comedy
Carlton Browne of the F.O. (Roy Boulting/Jeffrey Dell, 1959) – social satire of Britain attempting to obtain a colony they forgot about, set amidst cold war tensions.
I’m All Right Jack (Roy Boulting, 1959) – Sellers plays a socialist employee who leads a strike when new ownership takes over
Two Way Stretch (Robert Day, 1960) – a forerunner for the TV series Porridge, Sellers and his friends David Lodge and Bernard Cribbins play very comfortable inmates. The trio must break out and then back in for a job; while trying to avoid Lionel Jefferies’ new warden
Only Two Can Play (Sidney Gilliat, 1962) – Sellers plays a Welsh librarian with an over-active imagination and libido in a battle of the sexes comedy
The Wrong Arm of the Law (Cliff Owen, 1963) – comedy of cops and robbers
Heavens Above! (John & Roy Boulting, 1963) – Sellers plays an idealistic Reverend whose truth telling shock his land-gentry parishioners.
Sellers plays old and young; different accents and styles ranging from satire to slapstick, his embodying of a role elevates the film and he lights up the screen always.
Along side the eight features, there is a 32 page booklet providing insight to a much loved British comedy performer.
The Peter Sellers Centenary Collection is out on 31st August from Studiocanal UK on Blu-ray.
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