Last night after dinner, accompanied by red wine, I watched Dr. Strangelove for the hundredth time.
I read an article some years back, about how youngsters now in their thirties, with the advent of video cassettes and then CD’s have been watching certain movies over and over, and memorizing every line and scene. I can relate to that, because before those were available, I was hooked into watching, “Dr. Strangelove.,” my favorite movie whenever it played in a theatre in New York.
In fact, I almost bought a 16mm copy for $500. One incident that I recall was when a small theatre in the East Village section, was showing the film. There was only one aisle in the theatre, right down the middle. I don’t think there were more than two hundred patrons. Every seat was filled when the film started. What was completely different with this showing of “Dr. Strangelove,” was that everyone in the theatre, must have seen the movie countless times. So instead of laughing as the comic scenes played, we were all laughing before the comic scenes played.
For those who have never seen it, first let me say, this is an anti-war movie. The movie is brilliant from the music under the credits to the performances by brilliant actors.
Dr. Strangelove or: “How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb,” more commonly known as Dr. Strangelove, is a 1964 political satire black comedy film that satirizes the Cold War fears of a nuclear conflict between the Soviet Union and the United States. The film was directed, produced, and co-written by Stanley Kubrick, stars Peter Sellers and George C. Scott, and features Sterling Hayden, Keenan Wynn, Peter Bull, and Slim Pickens.
The film opens with the credits, a B52 bomber is being re-fueled in flight. We see the tanker nozzle going in and out of the B52. The music behind this opening is, “Treat Me Gently.”
The main protagonist, Peter Sellers, plays three parts. Group Captain Mandrake, the executive officer to the commanding general, Jack D. Ripper, who is played by Sterling Hayden, has gone mad and sent the entire B52 wing to bomb Russia.
Next, after Ripper shoots himself, Mandrake knows the re-call code, but is confronted by Keenan Wynn, as Bat Guano, who eventually convinces him to allow a call to the President.
George C. Scott, as General Buck Trugidson, is brilliant in this comedic role. Slim Pickens, as Major Kong, as the B25 plane commander is wonderful.
Peter Sellers plays two additional roles. The President of the United States, Merkin Muffley, a quiet character, trying to deal with crisis. The crises, a dooms-day device which if exploded will wipe out all living beings.
Of course, the tour de force role for Sellers is, Dr Strangelove. An ex-Nazi scientist, with an errant right arm, who makes his last scene hilarious. In fact, Peter Bull, a brilliant British actor, who is playing the Russian Ambassador, has a hard time not laughing during Seller’s scene.
If you never see another film for the next year, this is it. Once hooked, you’ll want to dissect every part carefully.
