WHAT'S NEW PUSSYCAT?

US/France, 1965, 108 Minutes, Colour.
Peter Sellers, Peter O'Toole, Romy Schneider, Capucine, Paula Prentiss, Woody Allen, Ursula Andress.
Directed by Clive Donner.

What's New Pussycat? was Woody Allen's first screenplay. He was also introduced to films in this film. It is a strange mixture of frantic farce with American style Allen repartee. He himself is very good and it is interesting to see his themes in retrospect - they are all there in this work, the little man, frustrations, ambitions, sexuality etc. However it is Peter O'Toole and Peter Sellers who have the opportunity to speak Allen's lines - giving an indication that it would be interesting to hear quality actors and actresses speaking his wit.

The film is not entirely a success - it is very silly at times, and the pace is frantic rather than well paced. There is a lot of satire on psychiatrists, especially in Peter Sellers' character. The ladies of the film are a strange international group -with Romy Schneider as an unusual heroine, Capucine repeating her role in the Pink Panther, Paula Prentiss giving her usual kooky American. Clive Donner, who directed Nothing But The Best and Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush was responsible for this film. It has the famous Burt Bacharach song, also some humorous animation for the credits by Richard Williams (The Charge of the Light Brigade).

1. An enjoyable comedy? The atmosphere of French farce with American tone and dialogue? The blend of French and American comedy situations, comedy of errors, pace, sex comedy? The international cast?

2. The importance of the sets, decor? The animation and humour of the credit sequences? The Fassbinder's house, the atmosphere of French apartments, strip joints, chalets? The exteriors of France? The costumes, dresses, far out fashions? The contribution of the theme song, musical score and songs?

3. The quality of the farce and audience expectations of farce? Visual humour, chases, dreams, mistaken rooms, the build-up of the grand finale chase?

4. The satire on psychology, psychiatry and psychiatrists? The appeal to audience interest in psychiatry and dreams, memories? The humour of the Fassbinder's sessions with Michael James, with Renee? The group sessions and the satire on these?

5. The emphasis on sex - title? The relationship of men and women, the battle of the sexes? The atmosphere of permissiveness - and the final emphasis on morality?

6. Michael James: Peter O'Toole's style, the serious actor doing a comedy turn? His timing for farce sequences, dialogue? The ordinary man, seeking psychiatric help, his school memories - and the humorous visualising of these, especially the kissing of the teacher when he was twelve, the debating, cricket? His relationship with Carol - love, fighting, sowing wild oats, fear of marriage? His visits to the strip-tease, to the theatre? The encounter with Liz and her eccentricity, listening to her poems, coping with her suicide attempts? The encounter with Renee - Fassbender and his serenading and making noise outside her window? Her visit to his apartment and then pretending to be a maid? The nurse attending the doctor at the suicide attempts? Ursula Andress and her leaping from the sky? His inability to cope? His problems about sexuality, marriage? The farce at the chalet?

7. Woody Allen's style of comedy, dialogue, witty remarks, his coping with farcical situations?

8. Peter Sellers as the professor? His hair, dress? The satire on psychiatrists, the mid-German accent? His wife and their fighting, tantrums, his flailing about on the floor? His guidance of Michael James, of Renee? His following Michael, presence at the strip-tease? His preoccupation with sex? Peter Sellers and his contribution to the farce, to the satire on psychiatrists? His participation in the final chase, the wedding?

9. The character of Victor - as Michael's friend, as the little man, romance, comedy - especially at the end with the record and answering the door?

10. The presentation of the women; Carol as being ordinary, wanting marriage, in love with Michael, her parents and their visit, the outings and enjoyment, fights, participation in the farce? The contrast with Liz, strip-tease, poetry, suicide attempts, presence at the end? Renee and her being at the window, the whistle, relationship with the professor, her husband, cool and sexy? The contrast with Ursula Andress and her James Bond film style? The models, nurses etc.?

11. The contribution of the comedy routines, timing, the speaking of the dialogue?

12. Farce as a means of mirroring society, laughing at it and with it, highlighting its foibles, commenting on its values?