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Personal and professional struggles
Sellers' artistic genius did come with a cost, which was manifested in a troubled personal life. While he won accolades for his artistic contributions, his off-screen persona often clashed with fellow actors and directors, as illustrated by his strained relationship with friend and director Blake Edwards, with whom he worked on the Pink Panther series, among other films. His relationship with Edwards was tested by Sellers' eccentric behaviour, to a point where the two sometimes ceased speaking to each other during filming.[1] Their personal and professional relationship was frequently disrupted by Sellers' difficult demeanour, highlighted in the semi-biographical HBO/BBC film The Life and Death of Peter Sellers.

Sellers' personality was often described as difficult and demanding by many others who interacted with him. His unreasonable behaviour caused physical and emotional hurt to many people in his life, most notably his first three wives.[1] As portrayed in The Life and Death of Peter Sellers, he told his eight-year-old son that the boy's mother (Sellers' wife at the time) was having an affair. Sellers is known to have physically assaulted Britt Ekland[1], often prompted by fits of (unsubstantiated) jealousy.

His work with fellow actor Orson Welles on Casino Royale deteriorated as Sellers became jealous of Welles' casual relationship with Princess Margaret. The relationship between the two actors created enormous logistic problems during filming, as Sellers refused to share the set with Welles, who himself was no stranger to strident behaviour.[1] Sellers could also be cruel and disrespectful, as demonstrated in his treatment of actress Jo Van Fleet on the set of I Love You, Alice B. Toklas (1968). On one occasion, Van Fleet had declined an invitation to his house, soon followed by a misunderstanding between the two actors during filming. This prompted Sellers to launch into a verbal tirade against Van Fleet in front of actors and crew on the set.[1]

Nonetheless, Sellers could woo audiences and colleagues alike. He was once invited to appear on Michael Parkinson's eponymous chat show in 1974. However, as he was notoriously reticent about discussing his private life, Sellers needed some persuasion. Eventually he agreed under the condition that he could appear as a different character. When introduced onto the show, Sellers appeared dressed as member of the German Gestapo, impersonating Kenneth Mars' role in The Producers. After performing a few lines in keeping with his assumed character, he stepped out of the role and settled down for what is considered one of Parkinson's most memorable interviews.[3][4]

It has been suggested[1] that Sellers suffered from depression spurred by deep-seated anxieties of artistic and personal failure. Some of his behaviour may have been exacerbated by substance abuse, for Sellers was known to regularly smoke cannabis, drink large amounts of alcohol, and use other recreational drugs.[1] It is now believed that his drug use (especially of amyl nitrites[1]) contributed to a series of heart attacks he suffered in 1964 (see below). Sellers became aware that his frail psyche affected his career and personal life. However, rather than seeking professional counselling, he opted for periodic consultations with astrologer Maurice Woodruff, who seemed to have had considerable sway over his later career.[1]

Bloodnok's Rock'n'Roll Call

Company shun! Shoulder High!! By the right, number!
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight
Nine, ten, eleven, tweleve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen, sixteen
Sixteen, fifteen, fourteen, thirteen, twelve, eleven, ten, nine
Eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight
Nine, ten, eleven, tweleve, thirteen, fourteen, <bang>
You've got to rock and roll in a roll call way
You've got to march with a Marilyn Monroe sway
You've got to rock and roll with your old kit bag
But you musn't ever mention her name in the mess
And if you want to know the title of this number
It is a Major Dennis Bloodnok Rock'n'Roll Call rhumba

Left, left, left, right left
Quick, slow, quick, quick, slow
In, out, in, in, out
Pick up your gun, shove a bullet up the spout
It's the dance they do from Madras to Pango-Pango
It is a Major Dennis Bloodnok Rock'n'Roll Call Tango

Coy, dum diddle, blow de how
Bombay didde bowl of char
Um diddle

Minnie: Stop! Stop! Stop that sinful naughty record-type music
Stop it I say! Oh! Stop it you fool. Stop it!

Bloodnok: Oh! Foddle me puckies and cril me topie
Why do my beady old eyes deceive me, or is it?
No, no -- it can't be. But yes! It is!
It's me old child hood sweetheart Spotty Minnie
Bannister-- the darling of Roper's Light Horse

Bless my soul, what are you doing here?
Nothing catching I hope
Minnie: I just came to put my bag full of money in the bank
Bloodnok: Money! Money! Oh!!! Neddie, take Miss Bannister
in a steaming love dance while I check her properties
One, two, three, four

Secombe: Gents to the left, ladies to the right.
All join hands -- panic

<some nonsense>

Bloodnok: Bravado, bravado. What a voice! (What a bank balance!)
I beg you, you gorgeous wanton. Give me some small token of your love and I will sing you a known miltary melody.

Music, maestro Plonk

(Right mate)
You've got to rock'n'roll in a monetary manner
If you want to earn a necessary tanner
Take your pick while the picking's good
If you don't pick right, things will never get better
When I hear the chink of money that is good news
It drives away the Bloodnok Rock'n'Roll call blues

So let there be, always some cash for me
That will be mine, all mine!

A Russian Love Song

There were two Russian lovers
Walking hand in hand on the banks of a river
in a snow covered land.
A boy and a girl with starlight in their eyes
They kiss and caress as he tenderly sighs
Oh! Oh! Oh! Comrades! All right comrade that's enough!
We meet each night by the silvery light of that
dear old fashioned Russian satellite moon
It shines so bright -- turns Americans white
at the sight of our dear old Russian satellite moon

Quote:

And over here in England I saw it at my flat
I ran into the cellar and I put on my old ARP hat

(i guess we know what that means)

Don't be silly!
Tovarisch! Just dance with joy, while we are all still alive
by the light of our glorious Russian satellite moon

Gentleman!

Look up in the skies -- I can't believe my eyes!
It's that dear old fashioned Russian satellite moon!

What, what, where?
Hand me my gun -- we're going to have some fun
<bang> Oh I missed that naught Russian satellite moon

I'll have to run you in there for a very legal reason
Shooting at Russian moons when they are out of season

Stand aside -- my reply to that is this rocket driven hat
England's answer to that Russian satellite moon

The President. Gentleman the President of the har-har-har of
the har-har-har
There is a Russian satellite moon of Arkansas, Mr President
Thank heaven it is not over America
Don't worry, we are prepared for this
Mr Presley: let 'em have it!

Now listen here! I'll make it clear just what we intend to do
I'm gonna rock around that Russian satellite moon
I'm gonna rock around that Russian satellite moon
<something I can't make out>
<fades, to replaced by a Russian>

That's right, comrade Elvis
Go on, shake your hips while we listen to the blips
Of our glorious Russian satellite moon.

<Various strange words getting faster until the Russian
explodes!>

I read your song carefully, and