The World of Henry Orient (1964)

A mischievous, adventuresome fourteen-year-old girl and her best friend begin following an eccentric concert pianist around New York City after she develops a crush on him.

Director:

George Roy Hill

Writers:

Nora Johnson (screenplay), Nunnally Johnson (screenplay)

Stars:

Peter Sellers, Tippy Walker, Merrie Spaeth

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Peter Sellers	...	Henry Orient
Paula Prentiss	...	Stella Dunnworthy
Angela Lansbury	...	Isabel Boyd
Tom Bosley	...	Frank Boyd
Phyllis Thaxter	...	Mrs. Avis Gilbert
Bibi Osterwald	...	Erica Booth
Merrie Spaeth	...	Marian Gilbert
Tippy Walker	...	Valarie Campbell Boyd
John Fiedler	...	Sidney
Al Lewis	...	Store Owner
Peter Duchin	...	Joe Daniels
Fred Stewart	...	Doctor
Philippa Bevans	...	Emma Hambler
Jerry Jarrett	...	(as Jerry Jerrett)
Jane Buchanan	...	Lillian Kafritz

Storyline

Henry Orient is a madly egocentric and overly amorous avant-garde concert pianist who is hilariously pursued all around New York City by two 14-year-old fans. The girls, Val and Gil chase a harassed Henry all over the city, thwarting his afternoon liaisons with a married woman and leaving utter chaos behind them - until Val's sexually promiscuous mother appears on the scene to put a stop to the girls' shenanigans.

---

Plot Keywords:

flirting | female best friends | womanizer | peeping jane | sex in public | 

---

Taglines:

When two junior size misses meet one king-size nut. It's fun, fresh, welcome as Springtime

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

---

Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 June 1964 (UK)

Also Known As:

Deux copines, un séducteur

Filming Locations:

Central Park, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Pan Arts

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Shot from June to October 1963.

---

Goofs

When Peter Sellers is rifling through the phone book looking for an airline he comes down to flipping single pages then suddenly flips a bunch of pages and immediately finds the number.

---

Quotes

Valerie Boyd: You know, I don't know whether I ought to or not, but I feel awfully happy... in a sort of sad way.

---

Crazy Credits

introducing MERRIE SPAETH as "Gil" TIPPY WALKER as "Val"

---

Connections

Referenced in The Story of the Swimmer (2014)

---

Soundtracks

Henry Orient Concerto
Music by Ken Lauber (as Kenneth Lauber)
Conducted and orchestrated by Ken Lauber (uncredited)

User Reviews

the changing world and Henry Orient

Such an interesting film, HENRY ORIENT, poised as it is---as other viewers' comments have pointed out---between the world BTB (Before The Beatles) and ATB (no explanation necessary). In retrospect, at least, the film hints at the enormous changes to come. The film-making reflects that, as well: note George Roy Hill's cautious approximations of the Nouvelle Vague in the lyrical running-and-jumping-through-NYC section with Val and Gil. (Note, too, the androgyny of the girls' names...) I read the book many years ago and remember it as a darker, more Salinger-esquire work. But that's not to diminish the playful, often painful strengths of the film. Paula Prentiss must rank high among its charms; as must Tippy Walker. There's inchoate youth for you in those years. Val is as imaginative as she is troubled. The old ways no longer work but the new ways have yet to appear. Elizabeth ('Tippy') Walker is really wonderful, and it's been most interesting (to say the least) and a real pleasure that Ms. Walker has shared so truthfully and fully her memories of the film and a part of her life story with us. I know all fans of ORIENT wish her all the best.

Another pleasure of the film is the way it captures NYC as it was then. Being a devotee of the city, it makes me both happy and sad to see it in its 40-some year old glory. Happy because I can vicariously experience what it was like; sad because it can only be vicarious. I love NYC, it's still a fantastic city---even though Disneyfication has robbed it of so much---but I get a special thrill when I see it like it was in ORIENT.

A lot has changed,yes. Adolescence hasn't, though, and that's why the film continues to resonate. And that's why THE WORLD OF HENRY ORIENT continues to be watched and written about. That's why we care.