The World of Henry Orient (1964)

The World of Henry Orient
Directed by George Roy Hill
Written by Nora Johnson and Nunnally Johnson from Nora Johnson’s novel
1964/USA
Pan Arts
Repeat viewing/Amazon Instant

[box] [Describing the concept of “adventuring” to Gil] Valerie Boyd: I mean, like, jumping right out of your skin, and being absolutely somebody else. Not just pretending, but actually *being* somebody else. [/box]

I first saw this in the theater as a pre-teen.  This coming-of-age comedy holds up well into adulthood.

Thirteen-year-olds Marian Gilbert (Merrie Spaeth) and Valerie Boyd (Tippy Walker) are both new kids in school.  Marian lives with her single mother after the divorce of her parents. Valerie’s parents are together but usually MIA because the father travels a lot for business.The girls have a lot in common and they bond.  Soon they are having adventures all around New York.

They come across concert pianist Henry Orient (Peter Sellers) and Val develops a huge schoolgirl crush on him.  The girls soon are following him all over town, often interrupting an affair the conceited womanizer is attempting to start with a married woman (Paula Prentiss).  Matters come to a head when Val’s parents come home.  With Tom Bosley as Val’s father and Angela Lansbury as her mother from hell.

The young leading ladies had short careers but boy are they charming here.  The whole thing is a light, fun romp.  Peter Sellers is good but not the focus of the film.  I loved it after all these years.