About book Mr. Strangelove: A Biography Of Peter Sellers (2003)
I'm taking my time reading this bio as it is full of great tips about music and film I've never heard about before. Well, most of the clips and tunes are on Youtube. I've discovered The early Goon Show, Peter Sellers "records", and watched some scenes of movies I've never seen such as The Magic Christian and also The Party. Fabulous. I've ordered my own "used" copy of this book so I can take my time and make notes. What an outstanding performer he was!!! Nov 2012: Still reading the book and watching his earlier movies or getting a hold of audio. There's a great boxed set of older movies where you can see the beginning of genius, as well as later films (but pre-Clouseau) in which he becomes the character he is playing (pre Being There). What an amazing actor. I also, with some searching of ebay, found a copy of a hysterical collection of audio comedy called "How to Win an Election", which, although about British Parliament, was extremely funny and appropriate in this 2012 US election year.
I've always appreciated his gifts but clearly he was a troubled man. While I am not a psychiatrist, it is obvious that he suffered from kind of personality disorder. The book goes into fantastic depth of detail and character but reading that Mr. Sellers abused his wives, children and even murdered pets will give even a hardcore fan pause. One wonders what intervention might have helped him but he is thoroughly a narcissist and probably the least likely person to have sought help. My heart goes out to his daughter, Victoria. I don't buy that genius always accompanies madness. His childhood isolation was unhealthy but was an opportunity for him to spend hours learning mimicry from the radio shows of that era. I confess I could not finish this book due to the discomfort of reading about his family.
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This is a very well researched and easy ro read book. It took me awhile to read it because I was constantly going to google articles or watch interviews and even movies on YouTube which were mentioned. That being said, I came away feeling sad that I will probably no longer be able to look at a Peter Sellers movie again the same way. He was a disturbed individual who treated his wives and children brutally. His bizarre behavior towards friends and co-workers all seemed to be forgiven because he was 'so funny and excellent on camera'. Nothing new, I guess, in the celebrity culture.
—Alice
Full disclosure: I've been a devoted fan of Peter Sellers ever since his early days on "The Goon Show" on the venerable BBC Radio. This is a fascinating look at the life of a brilliant comic and actor which holds nothing back. Sellers was not an easy man to get along with, personally and professionally and this detailed look at him certainly makes that very clear. The stories of his "run-ins" with other famous show business folks are riveting but also so are the sad details of his personal life, those of his troubled childhood and his many difficult marriages and love affairs. This was a very complicated and troubled man, with an astounding comic talent. This book brings all this out with a sometimes frightening clarity. If you want to understand more about this astounding character and the sources of his unique talent, "Mr. Strangelove" will not disappoint you.
—Littlebrit
