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The 1965 screwball comedy "What's New, Pussycat?" marked Woody Allen's debut as a screenwriter for a feature film. Before this, Allen was known as a stand-up comedian and a writer for television shows. The film, a chaotic farce about a notorious womanizer trying to remain faithful to his fiancรฉe, was brought to life by an all-star cast that included Peter O'Toole as the woman-obsessed Michael James, Peter Sellers as his eccentric psychiatrist Dr. Fritz Fassbender, and Ursula Andress as a parachutist who accidentally lands in O'Toole's car.
The film's memorable, Academy Award-nominated title song was composed by Burt Bacharach with lyrics by Hal David and performed by Tom Jones. The title itself reportedly originated from producer Charles K. Feldman, who overheard the original choice for the lead role, Warren Beatty, using the phrase "what's up pussycat" when talking on the phone. In the movie, Peter O'Toole's character amusingly calls all women "Pussycat" to avoid the trouble of remembering their names.
Despite its commercial success, the production was not a smooth experience for the budding screenwriter. Allen, who also made his acting debut in the film, found his script heavily altered by the director and the lead actors. This frustrating experience was a major catalyst for his decision to direct his own screenplays in the future, giving him creative control over his projects. While the film received mixed reviews upon its release, with some critics finding it overly chaotic, it remains a significant starting point in the prolific and acclaimed career of Woody Allen.
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