The World of Henry Orient **** (1964, Peter Sellers, Angela Lansbury, Paula Prentiss, Tippy Walker, Merrie Spaeth, Tom Bosley) – Classic Movie Review 9232

Schoolgirls Val Boyd (Tippy Walker) and Gil Gilbert (Merri Spaeth) find avant-garde pianist Henry Orient (Sellers) committing adultery with Stella Dunnworthy (Paula Prentiss) in public in New York’s Central Park, in director George Roy Hill’s odd but endearing 1964 comedy The World of Henry Orient, a very Sixties mix of whimsy, satire and farce.

The girls imagine fantasies about their new idol Henry Orient (Sellers), whom they pursue round New York City as Val develops a crush on Henry, but are upset when he tries it on with Val’s mother.

The film’s amusing satire, with splendid performances from Angela Lansbury and Tom Bosley (as Val’s parents Isabel and Frank Boyd) and Phyllis Thaxter (as Spaeth’s mom Mrs Avis Gilbert), is the best part.

In a role that really suits him, Sellers is on fine form, though, and so are the other stars. The provocative screenplay by Nora Johnson and Nunnally Johnson is adapted from Nora Johnson’s novel.

Also in the cast are Bibi Osterwald, John Fielder, Peter Duchin, Fred Stewart, Philippa Bevans, Al Lewis, Jerry Jarrett and Jane Buchanan.

© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 9232

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