Search - The Naked Truth on DVD

Terry-Thomas + Peter Sellers = Many Laughs !

peterfromkanata | Kanata, Ontario Canada | 06/26/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

""The Naked Truth", also known as "Your Past is Showing" is one of those hilariously daffy comedies that Britain seemed to turn out with great regularity in the 50s and into the 60s. The premise is quite outlandish and "over-the-top", but--hey--it's a comedy with never a dull moment, so who cares ?

First I must begin with a confession--I am a life-long, diehard Terry-Thomas fan. Since this film gives him one of his best roles, my review might be a bit prejudiced ! He is "Lord Mayley", a self-important, pompous English peer, who suddenly finds himself being blackmailed by Nigel Dennis ( wonderfully smarmy Dennis Price ), a dirt-digging journalist and publisher of a scandal tabloid, "The Naked Truth". It seems that Lord Mayley has not always been a "faithful husband", and his escapades will be printed for the world to see--unless, of course, he pays 10,000 pounds to slimy Nigel !

Nigel also has other "victims". Obnoxious "Scottish" television personality, Sonny MacGregor (the superb Peter Sellers )--mystery writer, Flora Ransom (formidable Peggy Mount)--and, hoping to marry her American oil-millionaire boyfriend, Melissa Wright (lovely Shirley Eaton).

All of these people individually, later collectively, make hilarious attempts to do away with the odious Nigel Dennis, usually with crazy ideas that backfire very badly. The ending is a genuine rib-tickler.

For Peter Sellers' fans, he has a field day with various disguises and accents, so that he can get close to the nasty Mr. Dennis without being detected. The supporting cast also includes future "Carry On" legend, Joan Sims, as Ethel, Flora Ransom's "scattered" daughter. Dennis Price deserves more kudos--the whole film revolves around his smug, sleazy character--"please don't appeal to my better nature--I don't have one !"

The picture is a black and white, letterbox format--I found the quality to be excellent. The sound is, of course, mono. There are no extras--I would have loved some "memories" from Ms. Eaton.

If you like British comedies with a really witty script, and amusing performances from a fine cast, "The Naked Truth" or "Your Past is Showing"--whichever title you prefer--belongs in your DVD collection. With Mr. Thomas and Mr. Sellers waiting to tickle your funny bone, push that "buy immediately" button, and let Amazon send you this "chucklefest" !"

Light-Hearted British Comedy

David Baldwin | Philadelphia,PA USA | 06/10/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The selling point for "The Naked Truth" is that it features a young Peter Sellers. Truth be told this is more of an ensemble effort and not what you would call a break-out role for Sellers. Sellers as a "Scottish" television personality is given the opportunity to employ a number of disguises and voice characterizations that are amusing but not fitfully so. The film's central premise of a group of prominent Brits who conspire to dispatch a blackmailing tabloid publisher(Dennis Price of "Kind Hearts and Coronets") is played more for broad slapstick than for the macabre dark comedy of classic Ealing comedies. These observations aside this is a highly enjoyable film with a good laugh quotient. Solid cast also includes the irrepressible Terry-Thomas and Shirley Eaton("Goldfinger")."

Hilarious!

R. Schultz | Chicago | 04/26/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of my favorite comedies, not far behind other British offerings from the 50's and 60's, such as Make Mine Mink.

In this madcap farce, a group of hapless people find themselves being blackmailed by a sleazy tabloid publisher played to perfection by Dennis Price. The blackmail victims independently and jointly decide to "eliminate" their problem. But since none of them are murderers by nature, their attempts end up more in bungled backfire than in relief.

The first problem they face is obtaining the means to do the deed. Peter Sellers is featured in one of the funniest scenes as he crosses over to Ireland assuming he can readily obtain some bomb material there from the notoriously explosive Irish rebels. He goes into a typical Irish pub, sprouting shamrocks from his lapels, confident of passing as a true Irish patriot in their midst. But of course, it doesn't quite work out that way. The Irish townspeople in the pub all too readily "smell the blood of an Englishman" and respond accordingly.

Every comedy needs a straight-man (woman) and in this movie, that part is filled by Georgina Cookson who plays the wife of Terry-Thomas in his role as Lord Mayley. Lady Mayley is coolly long-suffering, used to expecting very little from her wastrel husband. Terry-Thomas, not wanting to add fuel to her disaffection, tries to slip past her every night as he returns, defeated from his night's misadventures. He doesn't succeed. She catches him time and again sneaking up the staircase, covered in seaweed, showing other ludicrous dishevelments.

When Norman Cousins adopted the philosophy that "laughter is the best medicine," he fought againt his disease with all the comedy films he could muster. I hope he included The Naked Truth and the other Rank Studio comedies in his armamentarium. If watching this doesn't cure what ails you, nothing will."

Stoic British Humor at its Best!

R. Schultz | 05/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Terry Thomas soaked to the brow protruding nonchalance in his wifes presents is worth a dozen Peter sellers. If you haven't seen the naked truth you haven't ever really laughed. After you have seen this one you will want to see it again."