The Party (1968)

[SamT]

Title: The Party

Tagline: If you've ever been to a wilder party... you're under arrest!

Genre: Comedy

Director: Blake Edwards

Cast: Peter Sellers, Claudine Longet, Natalia Borisova, Jean Carson, Marge Champion, Al Checco, Corinne Cole, Dick Crockett, Frances Davis, Danielle De Metz, Herb Ellis, Paul Ferrara, Steve Franken, Kathe Green, Allen Jung, Sharron Kimberly, James Lanphier, Buddy Lester, Stephen Liss, Gavin MacLeod, Jerry Martin, Fay McKenzie, J. Edward McKinley, Denny Miller

Release: 1968-04-04

Runtime: 99

Plot: Hrundi V. Bakshi, an accident-prone actor from India, is accidentally put the name on the guest list for an upcoming party at the home of a Hollywood film director. Unfortunately, from the moment he arrives, one thing after another goes wrong with a compounding affect.

 

[SamT]

I just re-watched this. Several things. I'm kind of amazed that each time I watch it, I enjoy it immensely. I enjoy it more now than when I was a kid. I'm not a nostalgic guy and I have found out that I gradually enjoy less older movies. This movie is timeless. I was thinking this must have been late 70's and was surprised to see it was made in the 60s. This was way ahead of its time and Mr. Bean!

Out of top of my head I think this is Blake Edwards best work. I enjoy it even more than Pink Panther. All the jokes land so perfectly and there is not one lame joke. I find so many lame jokes in Pink Panther for example. That's why I think The Party is so exceptional. The characters are so iconic that their look is burned in my brain.

And great music too.

 

[SamT]

By the way, is this thing still shown on TV or is it considered inappropriate with the race issue? I personally don't think it's like Mickey Rooney in Breakfast at Tiffany's. I remember even when I was younger I always thought Mickey Rooney was not funny and it was offensive.

 

[Edwin-S]

I've only seen it once, but I felt like it fell apart near the end with the arrival of the elephant. It just started to get random and stupid from that point on. I've never felt any particular urge to watch it again. Might have to remedy that someday and give it another watch.