The Hound of the Baskervilles
Dir: Paul Morrissey
1978
**
Paul Morrissey, a director known only for his work with Andy Warhol and the Factory in 1978, was a slightly baffling choice of director. It would be interesting to know how he and Pete and Dud met and how this disastrous film came about. It's also baffling how a film with greats such as Peter Cook, Dudley Moore, Terry-Thomas, Kennith Williams, Spike Milligan, Denholm Elliot and Max Wall isn't very funny. It's got some acting heavy-weights too, including Joan Greenwood, Hugh Griffith, Irene Handle, Roy Kannear, Penelope Keith and Prunella Scales but not one of them produces a credible performance. The only time I think I laughed was at the absurd ending and during the rather strange Exorcist spoof scene that was shamelessly repeated. Terry-Thomas wasn't particularly well at the time and he was vocal about how much he disliked it. Indeed, everyone looks a little bit lost and I think they all put their faith in Pete and Dud before their sizable experience. Understandable really, Pete and Dud were the funniest comedy performers/writers of the time, the fact that they came up with this dire comedy still remains a mystery. Maybe it was a sort of professional suicide, the first crack of many that lead to one of comedies nastiest splits. Either way, it's a sad end to a wonderful duet and a sadder farewell film to a couple of absolute legends.