The Bobo
| The Bobo | |
|---|---|
 film poster | |
| Directed by |
Robert Parrish Peter Sellers (uncredited) |
| Produced by |
Jerry Gershwin Elliott Kastner |
| Written by |
Novel: Burt Cole Screenplay: David R. Schwartz |
| Starring |
Peter Sellers Britt Ekland Rossano Brazzi Adolfo Celi |
| Music by | Francis Lai |
| Cinematography | Gerry Turpin |
| Distributed by |
Warner-Pathé Distributors (UK) Warner Bros. Pictures (USA) |
Release date | |
Running time | 103 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $3 million[3] |
The Bobo is a 1967 British comedy film starring Peter Sellers and co-starring his then-wife Britt Ekland.
Based on the 1959 novel Olimpia by Burt Cole, also known as Thomas Dixon, Sellers is featured as the would-be singing matador, Juan Bautista. A theater manager offers to give him a big break if he seduces the beautiful Olimpia (Ekland) and spends an hour in her apartment with the lights off. The plot centers on Juan's attempts to woo the woman and famously includes Sellers covered in blue dye as the "Blue Matador."
Cast
- Peter Sellers as Juan Bautista
- Britt Ekland as Olimpia Segura
- Rossano Brazzi as Carlos Matabosch
- Adolfo Celi as Francisco Carbonell
- Hattie Jacques as Trinity Martinez
- Ferdy Mayne as Silvestre Flores
- Kenneth Griffith as Pepe Gamazo
- Al Lettieri as Eugenio Gomez
- Marne Maitland as Luis Castillo
- John Wells as Pompadour Major Domo
- Don Lurio as Ramon Gonzales
- Antonia Santiago Amador (La Chana) as flamenco dancer
Soundtrack
- "Imagine", the track for the titles, was written by Francis Lai, lyrics Sammy Cahn; released as single by Stan Kenton and His Orchestra 1967, Dana Valery as B-side to "You" by S. Napier, Bell, C. Leresche 1967, and by John Gary as B-side to "Cold" 1967[4][5]
- The flamenco dancer in the restaurant sequence was La Chana (a.k.a. Antonia Santiago Amador) YouTube clip and Film about La Chana
- "The Blue Matador"
Critical reception
In The New York Times, Bosley Crowther wrote, "after sitting dutifully through it, I can tell you what a bobo is. It's a booboo—and that goes not only for the title character, played by a strangely lackluster Mr. Sellers, but also for the film."[6] whereas Richard Schickel writing in Time said, "There comes a time in the life of every screen comedian when he urgently feels the need to have the adjective 'Chaplinesque' applied to his work. It is a dangerous moment, with the pitfall of pretentiousness yawning on one side, sentimentality on the other and all the psychological hazards of overreaching buzzing in the back of the mind. It is a pleasure to report that Peter Sellers - that excellent fellow - has not only endured this trial but has mostly prevailed over it."[7] but Tony Sloman in the Radio Times, although praising Hattie Jacques performance and the locations, concluded, "It's not very funny."[8]
References
- ↑ http://www.themovienetwork.com/moviedb/movie/the-bobo-1967/profile
- ↑ "The Bobo (1967), a film by Robert Parrish; starring Peter Sellers, Britt Ekland, Rossano Brazzi, Adolfo Celi, Hattie Jacques and Ferdy Mayne".
- ↑ Hannan, Brian (2016). Coming Back to a Theater Near You: A History of Hollywood Reissues, 1914-2014. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc., pg. 178, ISBN 978-1-4766-2389-4.
- ↑ Billboard - 2 sept. 1967 - Page 43 Francis Lai, composer of "A Man and a Woman," has come up with another melodical score in Peter Sellers ... With Sammy Cahn's lyrics, the Mexican-oriented music includes vocals and instrumental of the title song, "Imagine" and "The Blue Matador."
- ↑ The American Film Institute Catalog of Motion Pictures 0520209702 1997 Songs: "Imagine," "The Song of the Blue Matador" Francis Lai, Sammy Cahn
- ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9507E7D91238E53BBC4151DFBF66838C679EDE
- ↑ "The Bobo (1967) - Articles - TCM.com". Turner Classic Movies.
- ↑ "The Bobo – review - cast and crew, movie star rating and where to watch film on TV and online". Radio Times.