
The Ladykillers
Alexander Mackendrick’s final film for Britain’s Ealing Studios is one of its most celebrated comedies as well as a pivotal film for an embryonic Peter Sellers, thrilled to be working with his idol Alec Guinness. Sellers later emulated Guinness by taking on numerous multi-character assignments. The macabrely witty (Oscar-nominated) script is a virtual catalog of post-war English manners and traditions, yet it was penned by an American, William Rose (it’s a Mad, etc. World). Sellers and costar Herbert Lom later teamed for the Pink Panther series. Remade in 2004 with the locale switched from London to Biloxi, Mississippi.
About John Badham
John Badham, is the director of Saturday Night Fever, War Games, Stakeout, Short Circuit and Point of No Return, among others, as well as the TV series, Nikita, Heroes, Psych, The Shield and Criminal Minds. A Professor of Media Arts at Chapman University, his book “I’ll Be In My Trailer” has become the go-to source on directors working with Actors. September 2013 will see the publication of his new book “John Badham on Directing”.