Peter Sellers

Bio:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Sellers

Being There (1979)

A simpleminded, sheltered gardener becomes an unlikely trusted advisor to a powerful businessman and an insider in Washington politics.

From memory: Excellent oddball satire on American life and politics with lots of witty dialogie, and Sellers' and MacLaine's performances are spot on.

Halliwel**: "Overlong serio-comic parable hinging on a somewhat dubious star performance. Chance made it a popular urban success, but few who saw it were enthused."

Maltin**1/2: "Low-keyed black humor, full of savagely witty comments on American life in the telvision age, but fatally overlong."

Woman Times Seven (1967)

Seven mini-stories of adultery: "Funeral Possession," a wayward widow at her husband's funeral; "Amateur Night," angry wife becomes streetwalker out of revenge; "Two Against One," seemingly prudish girl turns out otherwise; "Super Simone," wife vainly attempts to divert her over-engrossed writer husband; "At the Opera," a battle over a supposedly exclusive dress; "Suicides," a death pact; "Snow," would-be suitor is actually a private detective hired by jealous husband.

Slight and not really that amusing gender comedy without any depth; Shirley MacLaine is the only attraction in this anthology.

Halliwell (no star): "Humourless after-dinner entertainment."

Maltin***: "...some funny moments, some perceptive comments, but with that cast and director, it should have been much better."

Murder by Death (1976)

 

 

Five famous literary detective characters and their sidekicks are invited to a bizarre mansion to solve an even stranger mystery. 

 

Likable crime mystery spoof with some occasional good jokes; somehow the motley star cast make it happen. 

Halliwell*: "Sometimes thin but generally likable spoof of a longstanding genre; the stars seize their opportunities avidly, and the film does not outstay its welcome."

Maltin***: "...enjoyable all-star comedy..."