“Don’t you dare call me that again until I have looked it up!” —Dr. Fritz Fassbender
Today’s quick review: What’s New Pussycat. Michael James (Peter O’Toole), a ladies’ man with a roving eye, has a problem. No matter how hard he tries, he can’t bring himself to settle down with his girlfriend Carole (Romy Schneider). Michael seeks help from Dr. Fritz Fassbender (Peter Sellers), a sex-crazed psychiatrist with problems of his own. But as more beautiful women enter his life, Michael finds himself sorely tempted.
What’s New Pussycat is a romantic comedy written by Woody Allen. The movie follows the misadventures of a womanizer as he walks down the winding path towards fidelity. What’s New Pussycat is a playful look at love, relationships, and the baser instincts that tempt people to stray. Its madcap comedy reflects the styles of Peter Sellers and Woody Allen, while Michael’s struggles give it just enough of a story to be satisfying.
What’s New Pussycat draws most of its strength from its cast. Peter O’Toole makes for a suave lead as Michael, whose good intentions take the sting off his philandering. Peter Sellers and Woody Allen frequently steal the scene with their outrageous supporting roles, while Paula Prentiss, Capucine, and Ursula Andress add to the chaos. This varied cast lets the movie pivot between overt jokes, subtler humor, and touches of romance at will.
There are a few catches, however, ranging from matters of taste to rough patches in the script. The movie’s raunchy humor and exaggerated characters will not be everyone’s cup of tea, nor will its frequent tangents. The jokes are fired off haphazardly, and some are bound to miss their mark. What’s New Pussycat also has a habit of resorting to chaos whenever it gets stuck, culminating in a fun but messy finale as all its characters collide.
What’s New Pussycat is an entertaining comedy with a talented cast, but it will not appeal to everyone. Fans of Peter Sellers, Woody Allen, and madcap comedy will feel the most at home, as will viewers who enjoy the culture and sense of humor of the 60s. Viewers who prefer tightly plotted comedies with more subdued humor may find that the movie misses as often as it hits.
For a similar style of comedy about a man trying to cheat on his wife, try A Guide for the Married Man. For another story about cheating with much less glamor, try Last of the Red Hot Lovers. For a chaotic take on the 60s starring Peter Sellers, try The Party. For another tongue-in-cheek comedy about the perils and joys of marriage, try How to Murder Your Wife. For a crime comedy with an even more convoluted plot, try The Pink Panther.
[6.2 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059903/). I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for a talented cast, outrageous humor, and a few rough edges.