The man who made ’em all laugh: Blake Edwards (1922-2010)

The odd couple: director Blake Edwards and his wife – musical star and, in his words, ‘beautiful English broad’ – Julie Andrews on the set of Victor Victoria; helmed by him, starring her

‘I couldn’t resist those moments when we jelled. And if you ask me who contributed most to those things, it couldn’t have happened unless both of us were involved, even though it wasn’t always happy.’ ~ Blake Edwards on directing Peter Sellers in The Pink Panther films

Stormy marriage: Peter Sellers and Blake Edwards may not have always got on, but their five Pink Panther outings together made box-office tills ring and audiences howl the world over

‘Make ’em redecorate your office. That’s primary, to let them know where you stand. Then, when you’re shooting interior sequences, use your own interior decorator and set dresser. That way everything on the set will fit your house when you’re finished.’ ~ Blake Edwards

Huckleberry friends: Blake Edwards (middle with back to camera) directs Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard on the Manhattan set of classic romantic comedy Breakfast At Tiffany’s

‘I wish I could say that it was that different, but it wasn’t. When we were working, she was a leading lady that I would go home and sleep with. We didn’t have any arguments professionally that I can recall. It was always very pleasant.’ ~ Blake Edwards on directing his wife, Julie Andrews

That’s the way to do it: Blake Edwards demonstrates how a custard pie should be thrown – that old slapstick standard – at star Natalie Wood on the set of car caper The Great Race

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Blake Edwards

(Real name: William Blake Crump)

Born: July 26 1922, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Died: December 5 2010, Santa Monica, California

Selective filmography

All as director; variously as screenwriter

Breakfast At Tiffany’s (1961); Days Of Wine And Roses (1962); The Pink Panther (1964); A Shot In The Dark (1964); The Great Race (1965); The Return Of The Pink Panther (1975); The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976); Revenge Of The Pink Panther (1978); 10 (1979); S.O.B. (1981); Victor Victoria (1982); Micki + Maude (1984); Blind Date (1987)

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