STAR II Pink Panther@Palace: Interview with Catherine Schell

BIG CINEMA, RELOADED

It was 1975 and the Palace and all of Gstaad were abuzz. Key scenes for the box office hit “The Return of the Pink Panther” were being filmed in the Bernese Oberland. And to top it all, the world premiere was held at the hotel. The film’s director Blake Edwards turned up with the crème de la crème ― Peter Sellers, Christopher Plummer and Catherine Schell in the main roles.

43 years later, the famous actress returns to the Palace for the first time. An opportunity for a joyful interview, with ten either/or questions addressed to Catherine Schell, aka Lady Litton.

Ms Schell, looking back, which is your

favourite, Pink Panther or James Bond? Pink Panther ― it still makes me laugh out loud even now.

Diamonds or rubies? Rubies. I love colour. Diamonds were just for my on-screen husband, Lord Litton. If you remember, it was for him that I had to steal them, to bring a little spice back into his life... Gstaad in 1975 was the Gstaad Palace ― which is exceptional, and wonderfully glamorous. The view from the garden looks like a film set, simply stunning. I liked it in Mürren too. It was such a cute little village, and we Bond girls felt very happy there.

Panthers or pussy cats? Definitely cats. I have three of them at home on my farm.

France or England? Definitely France. Not just because I love being there and eating French food, but also because England – in particular London, where many of my friends live – is simply too expensive.

Theatre or film? I was born for the movies. I’ve worked in theatres on and off throughout my career, but the stage sucks you dry and doesn’t do your nerves any favours. Especially as I’ve increasingly suffered from stage fright. Dreadful.

Comedy or tragedy? Both. I’ve worked in all genres throughout my career. I’ve played tragic characters as well as utterly comical ones, although I’ve never played a baddie. Which means I’ve never had blood on my hands... The roles that suited me most were the ones with a certain aristocratic touch.

Pink or blue? Blue, definitely. Pink doesn’t suit me. It suits the Panther though. He’d look incredibly sad in blue, don’t you think?

Star Trek or Star Wars? Oh dear, that’s a tough one to answer ― both were good. I love science fiction, provided it’s well done, by which I mean intelligent. Star Trek was, in a way, the beginning of everything good. But Star Wars is probably a more mature work, all in all.

Gstaad or Mürren? Well, you’re not making this easy. To be honest, pretty much the only thing I saw of Chocolate or cheese? That’s easy. Cheese during the day, but not too much. And chocolate in the evening. That’s a must.

Palace 1975 or Palace 2018? Palace forever, I would say. But if I’m honest, I prefer 2018. Why? Because the suite I’m currently staying in is considerably bigger than the single room I had during the filming in 1975. I suspect the production company had to be careful with the funds... (she laughs).

Catherine Schell was born in Budapest in 1944. Her father was the diplomat Baron Paul von Schell Bauschlott. In 1949 ― after the communists seized power – the family fled to Austria, before going into exile in the US. The Schell family returned to Europe in 1958 and moved to Munich, where Catherine started out on her acting career. She was married to the English actor William Marlowe for five years and lived in London. In 1982 Catherine Schell married the producer Bill Hays. During the 1990s, the couple moved to the Auvergne, where Catherine Schell ran a B&B for some time and now enjoys her retirement. Schell has acted in over 35 films. She was a Bond girl in the 1969 film “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service”, which was partly shot in Mürren and on the Schilthorn. In “The Return of the Pink Panther” (1975) she was cast in the female lead role of Lady Litton. For two weeks, filming for this took place in the Gstaad Palace. The film’s premiere was also hosted by the Palace ― with a live orchestra directed by Henry Mancini, who had composed the unmistakeable intro music. In addition to the vast number of journalists, the event was attended by many big names of the time, including Liz Taylor and her not-yet-again-husband Richard Burton. (rw)