The Party (1968)

A clerical mistake results in a bumbling Indian film star being invited to an exclusive Hollywood party instead of being fired.

Director:

Blake Edwards

Writers:

Blake Edwards (screenplay), Tom Waldman (screenplay)

Stars:

Peter Sellers, Claudine Longet, Natalia Borisova

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Peter Sellers	...	Hrundi V. Bakshi
Claudine Longet	...	Michele Monet
Natalia Borisova	...	Ballerina
Jean Carson	...	Nanny
Marge Champion	...	Rosalind Dunphy
Al Checco	...	Bernard Stein
Corinne Cole	...	Janice Kane
Dick Crockett	...	Wells
Frances Davis	...	Maid
Danielle De Metz	...	Stella D'Angelo (as Danielle de Metz)
Herbert Ellis	...	Director (as Herb Ellis)
Paul Ferrara	...	Ronnie Smith
Steve Franken	...	Levinson
Kathe Green	...	Molly Clutterbuck
Allen Jung	...	Cook

Storyline

By a twist of fate, the clumsy, but well-meaning aspiring actor, Hrundi V. Bakshi, is invited to Fred Clutterbuck's big party, after utterly ruining the set of his latest feature film. However, unbeknownst to the host, Bakshi is present at the gathering, merrily mingling with the hand-picked guests in this magnificent hi-tech villa, where the drinks are flowing, and everybody is in high spirits. But, much to everyone's surprise, when Bakshi accidentally has his first-ever sip of alcohol, only God knows how this well-thought party will end. What delightful disasters await?

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Plot Keywords:

miniskirt | upskirt | short skirt | running toilet | overflowing toilet | 

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Taglines:

The Film That Made The Whole World Go "Birdie Num Num!"

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Hrundi is walking through the kitchen in search of a bathroom, Vin Scully can be heard calling a Dodger game on the radio. Scully called games for the Los Angeles Dodgers until 2016.

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Goofs

There is no reason for the bidet to leak. Whilst the toilet breaks down after Bakshi has used it, he has not touched the bidet before it begins to gush water violently.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Director: All right, cut it! Cut it!

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Connections

Referenced in Spise med Price: Birdie nam nam (2012)

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Soundtracks

The Party
(1968)
Lyrics by Don Black
Music by Henry Mancini
Performed by the Party Latecomers (as The Party Poops)

User Reviews

We have a saying in India

Is there a more iconic comedic prologue than The Party's, with Hrundi Bakshi (Peter Sellers, priceless), a bumbling actor involuntarily, repeatedly sabotaging some kind of schlocky adventure / period piece first by refusing to die, then by showing his wholly anachronistic watch and finally by blowing up the set while trying to tie his shoelaces? Because if there is, I can't think of one at the moment.

The movie belongs to veteran comedy director Blake Edwards and especially to Sellers, who provides an hilarious turn as Bakshi, a sweet, meek individual so clumsy and inclined to disaster, he is essentially the human version of a tornado. Material is droll, but at times so thin that with a lesser lead it would have collapsed - Sellers being who he is, the mere sight of him staring with awkward alarm at a toilet which refuses to stop flushing provokes laughter.

8,5/10

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Italian Russian French Chinese

Release Date:

4 April 1968 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Party

Filming Locations:

1427 N Poinsettia Place, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,500,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$10,631

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Mirisch Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1