"I am not difficult at all," Peter Sellers famously quipped, "I just cannot take mediocrity on any level." While this might have been his self-assessment, those who worked with the legendary comedian often had a different take. Among them was Peter Medak, a close friend and the director behind Peter's notoriously troubled 1973 pirate film, Ghost in the Noonday Sun. This movie, which never saw a theatrical release, remains a fascinating chapter in the life and career of one of cinema's brightest stars.
The Troubled Set of 'Ghost in the Noonday Sun'
According to Medak, who spoke candidly to Closer, the challenges on set began almost immediately. From the moment Peter Sellers arrived, he seemed intent on dismantling the production around him. “He tried to fire everyone within sight to ensure the film wouldn’t happen,” Medak recalls. Despite the chaos, the story of this unfinished film has been captured in an upcoming documentary, The Ghost of Peter Sellers, which delves deep into the complexities of one of cinema's most enigmatic figures.
Peter Sellers' Emotional Rollercoaster
Medak attributes much of Peter's erratic behavior to the recent collapse of his whirlwind romance with Liza Minnelli, which lasted only a month. “He arrived in a state of deep emotional turmoil,” Medak explains. “Peter was prone to falling in and out of love at an alarming pace, and this breakup seemed to leave him in a catatonic state of manic depression.” It’s clear that Peter’s personal life was deeply intertwined with his professional demeanor, creating a volatile mix on set.
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A Heartfelt Struggle
Adding to the drama, Peter's well-documented heart issues flared up just two weeks into the Ghost shoot in Cyprus. There were fears he had suffered a heart attack, leading to his hospitalization in London and the temporary shutdown of the production. Medak was shocked when, just days later, he spotted Peter dining with Princess Margaret in the newspaper. It was a bizarre juxtaposition that left many questioning the actor's true condition.
