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The World of Henry Orient

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The World of Henry Orient

Released Mar 19, 1964

1h 46m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

91%

Tomatometer

11 Reviews

59%

Popcornmeter

1,000+ Ratings

While trying to seduce a married woman (Paula Prentiss), egotistical concert pianist Henry Orient (Peter Sellers) is interrupted by two precocious schoolgirls, Valerie (Tippy Walker) and Marian (Merrie Spaeth). At first he thinks nothing of it, but as he sees them more often, he becomes convinced they're spies for his lover's husband. The girls, meanwhile, have found out who he is, and Valerie insists she's in love. She starts a scrapbook, which her mother finds and, of course, misconstrues.

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Tim Cogshell

FilmWeek (LAist)

I love this film. Funnily, I don't think you could make this film today.

Jan 25, 2020

Full Review

Eddie Harrison

film-authority.com

…with impressive location work on NYC streets, and a bygone, innocent flavour, The World of Henry Orient offers a jolt of old-fashioned nostalgia that was fading even in 1964…

Rated: 3/5

Jul 7, 2022

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Nathanael Hood

The Retro Set

...one of the warmest, most delightful, and honest portrayals of female adolescence in cinema.

Rated: 8/10

Dec 28, 2018

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Matt Brunson

Creative Loafing

A memorable picture in which youthful exuberance believably gives way to the bracing pain of parental betrayal and dashed expectations.

Rated: 3/4

Aug 8, 2015

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

An immensely enjoyable film.

Rated: A

Dec 1, 2006

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Jake Euker

F5 (Wichita, KS)

Rated: 3/5

Jul 29, 2005

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Jo B

This is NOT a Peter Sellers movie as you know it -- he plays a pianist adored and stalked by two teenage girls. But the movie is equally if not more about the girls than Henry Orient. The good news is the girls are not annoying or cloying or anything but what they were supposed to be, gawky, giggling but exuberant BFFs. I always enjoy watching this movie -- it's cute comedy rather than truly hilarious, a terrific timepiece that includes a great supporting cast: Tom Bosley, Angela Lansbury, Paula Prentiss and Phyllis Thaxter. Think The Trouble with Angels, it's along those lines.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/28/25

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Marcus T

A cute period piece from the early 60's. Some have said it isn't really a comedy, but it has a light touch and is good for a lot of chuckles. The two girls carry the show with Sellers playing a supporting role, but not as a comedian. It has a feel good ending. Definitely worth a watch.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/17/24

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Audience Member

Two young teenage girls in New York City develop a crush on a concert pianist and follow him around, to the latter's dismay. The pianist is a womanizer who even fools around with married women; and the girls themselves have their own domestic problems. One has divorced parents and lives with one of them; the other has parents who are still married but her mother is both unfaithful to her husband and indifferent to her daughter. As might be expected, pianist and mother meet and complications ensue. The story is based on a novel of the same name, which itself was based on a real-life teen's obsession with Tony Bennett. The adults are technically the stars, but the teenage girls are the real ones, and you are interested in what they do and what happens to them. Recommended.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

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steve d

Nowhere near as amusing as they think it is.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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aristidis m

Was just good/ok, nothing special, sorry. :(

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

One of my favorites from George Roy Hill. A classic that lives in a New York now long forgotten.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

Full Review

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George Roy Hill

Director

Peter Sellers

Henry Orient

Tippy Walker

Valarie "Val" Campbell Boyd

Merrie Spaeth

Marian "Gil" Gilbert

Paula Prentiss

Stella Dunnworthy

Angela Lansbury

Isabel Boyd

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Synopsis

While trying to seduce a married woman (Paula Prentiss), egotistical concert pianist Henry Orient (Peter Sellers) is interrupted by two precocious schoolgirls, Valerie (Tippy Walker) and Marian (Merrie Spaeth). At first he thinks nothing of it, but as he sees them more often, he becomes convinced they're spies for his lover's husband. The girls, meanwhile, have found out who he is, and Valerie insists she's in love. She starts a scrapbook, which her mother finds and, of course, misconstrues.

Director: George Roy Hill
Producer: Jerome Hellman
Screenwriter: Nora Johnson, Nunnally Johnson
Distributor: United Artists
Production Co: Pan Arts Productions
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 19, 1964, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 20, 2017
Runtime: 1h 46m

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