After his 1961 directorial debut 'I Like Money' bombed with audiences, Peter Sellers pulled the film from circulation; now it's back as 'Mr. Topaze.'
Is “directorial debut” the right term for an actor stepping behind the camera for the first time if said film is ultimately just a one-off, and not the start of a new track of artistic note, à la the careers of Ida Lupino, Clint Eastwood and Jordan Peele? Would “directorial toe dip” be more precise?, whose versatile performance mastery gave his star turns an authorial tinge even when the director was a Stanley Kubrick or Blake Edwards, it’s perhaps surprising he didn’t go the way of...
But he gave it a shot once, when his movie career was achieving real lift-off — after U.K. hits “I’m Alright Jack” and “The Mouse That Roared” but before the iconic twofer of Clouseau and Strangelove. The tale of an upstanding provincial French schoolteacher corrupted by money, “Mr. Topaze” was, even in 1961, the umpteenth film version of1928 morality play.
But when Sellers’ low-key “Mr. Topaze” and its portrait of curdled honesty went nowhere with audiences, it effectively disappeared — physically and figuratively — into the ego-bruised artist’s personal vault, eventually left to languish in the British Film Institute archive after his death.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Mr Motivator details horrifying racism he faced while trying to land TV roleMr Motivator has spoken out about the racism he encountered while trying to break into the TV industry, being told that 'a black guy on TV would never work'
Read more »
Peter Andre reunites with third man in Mysterious Girl videoPop star Peter Andre opened up about his longtime pal Ryan Jackson who starred alongside him in the promo for his 1995 hit as they reunited via video call
Read more »
Athletics: Blech stars in drive-in pole vaulting eventFans deprived of live athletics action were treated to a mini pole vaulting competition on Friday as German Torben Blech won the Flight Night event at a drive-in cinema in Duesseldorf, Germany.
Read more »
Why Kesha, Sarah Paulson, and Stanley Tucci Are Partnering With The NAACP For The #ITakeResponsibility CampaignThe star-studded PSA video will direct viewers to take action by supporting Black grassroots organizations and bail funds.
Read more »
Magnet Releasing Nabs 'Alone' Thriller for North America (Exclusive)The English-language remake of Mattias Olsson’s 2011 Swedish film 'Gone' stars Jules Willcox and Marc Menchaca and is directed by John Hyams.
Read more »
Why Kesha, Sarah Paulson, and Stanley Tucci Are Partnering With The NAACP For The #ITakeResponsibility CampaignThe star-studded PSA video will direct viewers to take action by supporting Black grassroots organizations and bail funds.
Read more »