Amazon.com: In 1957's The Naked Truth, Terry-Thomas plays a peer of the realm being blackmailed in the company of Peter Sellers, Peggy Mount, and Shirley Eaton by a gutter-press journalist, Dennis Price ("Don't try to appeal to my better nature, because I haven't one"). One fascinating element in this picture is the portrayal of those relationships that could be only suggested in a period of tighter censorship, such as Peter Sellers's TV personality and Kenneth Griffith as his dresser, whose gay relationship is only faintly etched in here. More overt is the characterization of a masculine-looking authoress, known only by her initials, but sporting Agatha Christie's hairdo. The moments of slapstick are brought off to a tee, as when the larger-than-life Peggy Mount attempts a suicide drop from her window to be saved by an awning on a shop front. --Adrian Edwards
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Tabloid Black Comedy - A Jolly Good Show
In this Mario Zampi black comedy, Dennis Price plays a black mailer threatening to publish dark secrets about the lives of the people portrayed by the acting ensemble:
--Terry Thomas, Lord Mayley the bumbling upper class cad who is his own worst enemy.
--Peter Sellers, primarily Sonny MacGregor the tv personality and others
--Georgina Cookson, a wonderful Lady Mayley who anticipates her husband's next move and is amused by his low cunning and his foibles.
--Peggy Mount, the mystery novelist who tries to obtain a "Mickey Finn"
--Jean Sims, who gives the "Mickey Finn" ... Read More
Rating: - Funny, British ensemble comedy from 1957
First things first, the original title of this 1957 film seems actually to have been "The Naked Truth," if the standard filmographies for Peter Sellers are to be believed. Fifty years later, as I write this, the title seems a little unfortunate, considering the company this black little comedy currently shares here on Amazon and elsewhere. On the DVD itself, the title card shows not "The Naked Truth," but "Your Past is Showing." I presume that was the American title, for a movie called "The Naked Truth" was unlikely to gain much acceptance or profit in small- or even big-town America during the ... Read More
Rating: - The Naked Truth
Unfortunately the DVD was in the USA format so unplayable in the UK. This was not clear on the Amazon description.. Disappointed
Rating: - Your Past is Showing (recommended)
You can't judge a book, or in this case, a movie, by its cover. From prior reviews, I knew beforehand that THE NAKED TRUTH was not, as the title may suggest, risque. As the credits begin rolling, I was surprised to discover the title either didn't go over well with British audiences or the movie was renamed for more impact. Don't be surprised when the title sequence names the film YOUR PAST IS SHOWING.
THE NAKED TRUTH is, as Lord Mayley (Terry-Thomas) says, "a rather vulgar" title for a scandal magazine. It's editor, Nigel Dennis (Dennis Price), digs up dirt on prominent victims and blackmails ... Read More
Rating: - Hilarious!
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 ... Read More
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