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      Only Two Can Play

      Released Mar 20, 1962 1h 46m Comedy Drama List
      80% 5 Reviews Tomatometer 60% 100+ Ratings Audience Score With an unsatisfying home life and career, librarian John Lewis (Peter Sellers) spends most of his time daydreaming of illicit affairs with attractive women. On one such day, gorgeous Elizabeth Gruffydd-Williams (Mai Zetterling), the wife of prominent community figure Vernon Williams, walks into his life. Soon the two are plotting a passionate love affair, but somehow never seem to make it work. Meanwhile, Lewis' wife, Jean (Virginia Maskell), waits for him to come around. Read More Read Less

      Critics Reviews

      View All (5) Critics Reviews
      Walter Goodman New York Times Sidney Gilliat's direction is deft, and Sellers is in form, which is about as good as comedians come. Jan 10, 2018 Full Review Roger Moore Movie Nation A droll sex satire and send-up of Welsh pride that if not one of his very funniest films, stands out as among Sellers’ most sophisticated. Rated: 3/4 Aug 21, 2023 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews A cheerless farce with pretensions of being a kitchen sink drama. Rated: C+ Apr 8, 2008 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: 3/5 Oct 2, 2005 Full Review Ken Hanke Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) Splendid early Sellers vehicle with great performances across the board. Rated: 4/5 Jul 19, 2004 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

      View All (6) audience reviews
      isla s I hadn't realised this is a farce? certainly the phrase 'different times' and what it means applies to this film, as I personally found very little laugh out loud funny about it but its mildly amusing at points. I was pleased to see that not everything goes right for the main character, John Lewis (presumably not of the British department store fame) and some of his and other peoples comeuppance's were amusing, noteably one scene featuring animals towards the end which I did laugh at. The plot development was a little slow for my taste and I can't say that it doesn't very much depict stereotypes. It amused me that its partly set in a library, given I work in one but I can't say I've personally seen much gossipping or flirting in my workplace!. I also liked that some of the female characters were prepared to give the male characters a ticking off and to stand their ground, which is always re-assuring to see. Also, I quite liked John's young daughter, who speaks loudly, referencing any number of random things including invisible friends and the like - seeing John respond was somewhat amusing. Its an alright watch - it didn't especially appeal to me overall . I'd say for the time it was made (thew early 60s) its not too bad, a bit of an average film, hence I'm giving it 3 stars. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member An exquisitely funny picture, starring a terrific Peter Sellers (a lot of his gags here would later reappear in his collaborations with Blake Edwards) and the agreeable Virginia Maskell. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Audience Member Saw it on TV. filmed 1 year before Pink Panther, here is Sellers in a period drama. Quite nicely done. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/02/23 Full Review Audience Member Kingsley Amis' comedy of adultary comes across on screen as a parody of 'Room At The Top' (white-coller worker has affair with foreign sexpot). Sellers is on top form as a librarian with more than books on his mind. 'Kitchen Sink' done as farce rather than tragedy. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Sellers in fine form as Welsh librarian in understated sex comedy. Fun to see him in scenes with the actor who would later be Clouseau's assistant in 'A Shot In The Dark.' Attenborough has a great time in small role of pompous local playwright. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/23/23 Full Review Audience Member I enjoyed this film. There are some parts that are predictable but I would recommend it overall. Peter Sellers is more subdued here but does have some funny moments. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

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      Only Two Can Play

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis With an unsatisfying home life and career, librarian John Lewis (Peter Sellers) spends most of his time daydreaming of illicit affairs with attractive women. On one such day, gorgeous Elizabeth Gruffydd-Williams (Mai Zetterling), the wife of prominent community figure Vernon Williams, walks into his life. Soon the two are plotting a passionate love affair, but somehow never seem to make it work. Meanwhile, Lewis' wife, Jean (Virginia Maskell), waits for him to come around.
      Director
      Sidney Gilliat
      Screenwriter
      Bryan Forbes
      Distributor
      RCA/Columbia, Kingsley-International Pictures Inc.
      Production Co
      Vale Film Productions, British Lion Film Corporation
      Genre
      Comedy, Drama
      Original Language
      English (United Kingdom)
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Mar 20, 1962, Wide
      Runtime
      1h 46m