The Bed Sitting Room. 1969. Great Britain. Directed by Richard Lester. Screenplay by John Antrobus, based on the play by Antrobus and Spike Milligan. With Milligan, Rita Tushingham, Dudley Moore, Ralph Richardson, Peter Cook. 35mm print courtesy of Park Circus. 90 min.
An apocalyptic burlesque that nearly derailed his career, The Bed Sitting Room is Richard Lester at his most absurdist. The film’s anarchical spirit, acidic wit, and irrepressible ensemble cast, led by co-playwright Spike Milligan, make the innocent charms of Lester’s A Hard Day’s Night seem almost quaint by comparison.