Wicked Lady

Peter Cook is brilliant!

The pool room scene with the stuttering companion.

"Yes, well, that's easy for you to say".

I love his explanation of how he came to be cast out of Heaven.

And not forgetting the brilliant "Top of The Pops" scene!

GRAEME

A very cool film. I was in love with Eleanor Bron too.

I think it's great that the Wimpy scenes were really filmed in a Wimpy Bar. Nostalgia overload. I loved Wimpy Bars.

My favourite bit, which you mention, is when Cook is dressed as a traffic warden and sits on a pillar box and gets Dud to emulate the adoring angels.

You should show that clip to anybody studying Paradise Lost - a nice summary of Satan's position!

All men leak.

James Fox

A favorite film of mine, too. Loved the stuff Dudley did with Peter Cook.

TimR

I thought this was disappointing - because I enjoy the Moore-Cook team and I expected more.

It seemed to me that the creators of the film were attempting to make them into Big Stars at the time, and the revue humor did not easily translate into a full scale comedy. It seemed strained to me: a series of sketches that went on too long.

Hereafter, in a better world than this,
I shall desire more love and knowledge of you

Wicked Lady

You know, I used to feel that way, too!

The first couple of viewings of this, I found it very hard going. But, I discovered by chance that if you view it in pieces, you can enjoy how clever it is. (Not the ideal way to watch any movie, I'll freely admit but considering there is so little Cook and Moore material left on film, one must enjoy it as one can!).

As you say, it's probably the 'sketch comedy' writting. It reminds me of the Australian 'Barge Arse' production (for those familiar with it) - very funny when viewed as an individual sketch but too much when strung together. Like eating a very rich entree, followed by an equally rich main and dessert. Too much in one sitting!

Clever material none the less. And the one liners are priceless.

TimR

Hmmm...Well, that's an idea. When I saw it, I had high expectations because I had seen them do sketches that were very funny and well timed, and I got bored with the film - but watching as a series of sketches would keep it from getting boring.

They really could be brilliant together.

Hereafter, in a better world than this,
I shall desire more love and knowledge of you

Gaff

I've seen the film once and the one thing that kept occurring to me while watching was, "Why do they keep remaking great British films" in reference to the remake the was made a few years back. Now I could go on but it would only end up in some nonsensical rant about Hollywood and ruining cinema's past but I'll just decide to bow out gracefully instead.

Wicked Lady

Agreed!

I console myself with the thought that getting a decent release of the sometimes obscure original films in DVD form is a lot higher with a remake out there (as crappy that remake may be). And it often makes young 'uns seek out the original, which can only be good.

If I didn't comfort myself with that thought, I'd probably be seeking out Jude Law et al to give them a slappin'.

Blanche Fury

I don't really understand why it's so bad that films get remade. It's not like painting a moustache on the Mona Lisa, or turning the central tower of Canterbury cathedral into a concrete tower block - the original artefact is unaffected, and as Wicked Lady points out, remakes might well draw some people's attention to the original. The remake of eg 'TheLadykillers' might be poor (I've not seen it), but even if it is that doesn't make the original any worse, does it? I don't see how cinema's past can be ruined in this way.


Plus there must be plenty of remakes that are superior to the originals. Admittedly, I can't think of any offhand, but I'm sure erudite Britmovie posters can suggest a few.

Wicked Lady

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels was better than the original version (Bedtime Story).

Dangerous Liasions and Oceans 11 were better than the originals.

And (although I'm probably all alone here) I liked the remake of Planet of The Apes.

batman

Some remakes are worthwhile IMHO. Not only for the reasons outlined in the previous post but also because some stories have multi-layered plots and can be properly re-interpreted. The remakes that I hate are one like The Ladykillers. The original is so perfect why bother to remake it ... and then do it so badly. It won't entice anyone who doesn't know the original to check it out andthose millions of dollars/pounds have been wasted when they could have been spent on a 'new' film.

I wish I had claws.

Harleybloke

...and there's no Peter Cook anywhere...................

.....You couldn't hear it, if they were shooting at me with howitzers!

Wicked Lady

Ah, Liz Hurley - what a consumate actress!

She's as exciting and dynamic as wet newspaper.

Still it shows you the power of plastic surgery over talent in the industry.

(Yes, I know - meow - but she's ghastly).

If the producers had coughed up the extra money for Charlize Theron (and a decent script writer) the remake mighten't have been quite so vile.

image45

Sometimes they do not know there is an 'original' to seek out sadly

"Seya next time!"

torinfan

I remember when I first saw Bedazzled on tv. Moore and Cook had the perfect chemistry for the film