Product Details

• Actors: Peter Sellers, Tippy Walker, Merrie Spaeth, Paula Prentiss, Angela Lansbury
• Directors: George Roy Hill
• Writers: Nora Johnson, Nunnally Johnson
• Producers: Jerome Hellman
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
• VHS Release Date: March 2, 1994
• Run Time: 106 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302946492
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #200,041 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential video

The World of Henry Orient would be a classic, if only more people knew about it. Here are the adventures of two prep-school Manhattan girls, memorably played by Merrie Spaeth and Tippy Walker, who decide to dedicate a brief but crucial moment in their lives to the adoration of one Henry Orient (Peter Sellers). Orient is a concert pianist--with curiously uncertain accent--more renowned for his mistresses than his playing. (Although Sellers is onscreen for less than half the picture, he sketches one of his comic gems.) The movie has a wonderful J.D. Salinger flavor of early-'60s New York privilege, with a keen sense of the secret lives adolescents can construct for themselves. Director George Roy Hill brings an occasional burst of New Wave style but otherwise steers the movie into the tone described by one of the girls: "I feel awfully happy in a sort of sad way." --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars underrated masterpiece finally on DVD!, March 25, 2003

By 

Cubist (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The World of Henry Orient (DVD)

Having watched this movie any time TCM showed it on TV, I was so happy to finally see it come out on DVD and in its original aspect ratio -- the only way to see this amazing movie.

Fans of the movie Ghost World might want to check out The World of Henry Orient as it is so obviously the template for GW -- although, not as cynical.

Henry Orient is a wonderfully nostalgic ode to a New York City that doesn't exist anymore. There is something truly magical about seeing the city as it was back in the '60s. The film captures this magical innocent time when you're a child and how this starts to fade when you grow up in your teen years.

The two girls are fantastic as are the adults -- especially Peter Sellers (is there anything this guy can't do?), Angela Lansbury (again, playing an evil, evil lady!), and most importantly, Tom Bosley who plays one of the girls' lovable, understanding dad -- a great performance!

This is one of the late, great George Roy Hill's best movies -- beautiful directed and shot that also features an infectious, whimsical score by Elmer Bernstein (recently released on CD)that will have you whistling it long after the movie ends.

48 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A little-seen gem, November 20, 2002

By 

D. Movahedpour "doeadear" (CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: World of Henry Orient [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is not one of Peter Sellers' most famous films, but I consider it one of his best. It is incredibly funny, charming, and a perfect film about youth and life in New York in the early 1960's.

Sellers plays Henry Orient, an avant-garde pianist and master Lothario, who becomes the idol of two adolescent girls, Val Boyd, played by Tippy Walker, and Marian 'Gil' Gilbert, played by Merrie Spaeth. These girls are perfectly cast in their roles, and have wonderful chemistry. Val is the daughter of wealthy Park Avenue parents, portrayed by Tom Bosley and Angela Lansbury. Gil is from a broken home, and lives with her mother. The girls meet at school, then attend a concert by the flamboyant Mr. Orient. From there, they begin stalking him, although stalking was not in vogue in 1964. They become his ardent admirers, believing what magazines write about him, and hanging around outside his Park Avenue apartment, dressed in Chinese hats.

Henry Orient, of course, is a no-talent, no-good playboy, who is having an affair with the married and somewhat reluctant Stella Dunworthy, well played by Paula Prentiss. It seems that Henry Orient spends most of his days sleeping, talking on his futuristic phone, and chasing women.

It is all an innocent pursuit for the girls, whose friendship is really the center of the film. This is very well portrayed, and backed with gorgeous New York scenery. The trust of the girls is severely tested, and we see the change from wide-eyed innocence, to devastating disappointment.

Angela Lansbury plays a completely despicable society hound, showing her great range as the actress new generations recognize as the sweet Jessica Fletcher. Peter Sellers, as always, moves into his character completely, and switches from sauve to clueless in a matter of minutes.

This is a wonderful film, very entertaining, and based on a book of the same name. It is not dated, it is fresh and funny and I think all ages will enjoy it.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great coming of age comedy that you'll watch over and over!, December 9, 1999

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: World of Henry Orient [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is what I call a "comfort" movie, one you can watch over and over and still enjoy. Tells the story of 2 teenaged girls - Val, a piano prodigy neglected by her wealthy globe trotting parents, and Gil, a lonely girl being raised by her single Mom and her mom's best friend. The two girls meet at school and become best friends. Val develops a crush on Henry Orient (Peter Sellers) a terrible pianist with a habit of chasing married women. Val and Gil dedicate their lives to the study of Henry Orient and follow him all over New York City, with hilarious results. Great performances from the two young girls as well as from Peter Sellers and Angela Lansbury, who plays Val's mother. If you know a pre-teen or older girl, she would love a copy of this video! A TRULY SATISFYING FILM.