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THE DEFT TOUCH: BLAKE EDWARDS 1922-2010

post #1 of 4
12/16/10 at 8:40pm
Thread Starter 
Dre says goodbye to one of the great comic directors.

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post #2 of 4
12/16/10 at 10:09pm
Great write-up, Dre. As a guy fast approaching 40 I watched many Edwards' film growing up. I was able to see and appreciate the later-along, broader, Pink Panther films and loved them as a small child. As I grew older my favorite Pink Panther film kept changing (going earlier and earlier in the series). I just showed my fourteen year-old son A Shot in The Dark a few months back and he really enjoyed it.

My all time favorite Blake Edwards' film is, and has been for a long time, S.O.B. I loved it when I saw it on HBO in the early 80s, and I loved it when I saw it a few years ago. I have probably seen S.O.B. ten times over the years. It truly was a brilliant satire of Hollywood at that time and an interesting take on the Edwards/Andrews relationship. William Holden, Richard Mulligan, and Robert Preston really shine in it.

S.O.B., to me, was the end of 'Best of' highlight reel for Edwards, but he still had the occasional good film produced: Specifically the enjoyable Victor/Victoria and the hit-and-miss Skin Deep (with a neon-lit condoms sword fight).
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post #3 of 4
12/17/10 at 12:14am
No mention of The Man Who Loved Women? C'mon, Dre!

Seriously great write up.

Growing up my Pop was A big Edwards fan so you know the Pink Panther series was a 'gateway to geekery' and a bonding experience in the same way as the Bond movies. Mom loved Breakfast and Race, so guess it was a family affair. Experiment In Terror is an underrated neo(?)-noir thriller; interesting in its darkness, an anomoly in an otherwise light-hearted filmography. In regards to The Party, for some reason I remember an interview with the Beastie Boys where they called it a tour bus favorite (along with Dolemite -stereotypes what me worry?) Checking it out for myself it was kind of a revalation. I was obviously already a Sellers fan, but the comic beats just hit perfectly. Its brilliance is in how assured it is. Skin Deep deserves a shout out I suppose for "legendary" glow in the dark condom scene. It was kind of daring coming at a time post-AIDS when Hollywood was afraid of sex.
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post #4 of 4
12/17/10 at 12:59am
Damn you give good ugooglie Dre.

Edwards is an absolute icon no question and his films have helped shape the film watcher I am today. Guy deserves to be placed among the greats.

I hope Julie Andrews is okay.
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