Dudley Moore stars as Arthur Bach in the iconic comedy film of the same name.

It's been over four decades since the release of Arthur, a comedy classic that has stood the test of time.

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The modestly budgeted film about an alcoholic playboy who falls for a working-class woman became a surprise hit with audiences in 1981.

Alice in Wonderland meets The Graduate, Arthur is a comedy that has become synonymous with Dudley Moore's unique blend of wit and charm.

Moore, who had previously starred in the hit film 10, was cast as Arthur Bach, an American playboy who will be cut off from his family fortune unless he marries a woman he doesn’t love.

The role was initially written for George Segal or John Belushi, but Moore's unique talent and charisma won over director Steve Gordon.

Moore's performance as Arthur is widely regarded as one of the greatest comedic roles in cinema history, with his impeccable timing and witty one-liners making him a standout alongside co-star Liza Minnelli.

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Minnelli, who played Linda, Arthur’s working-class love interest, brought her own brand of charm to the film, and the chemistry between Moore and Minnelli is undeniable.

The film's success was not limited to its box office performance; it also earned four Oscar nominations, including Best Supporting Actor for John Gielgud as butler Hobson.

Gordon, who directed Arthur, died suddenly of a heart attack just a year after the film’s release, making it his only feature.

Moore and Minnelli returned for a sequel in 1988, while a remake was released in 2011, but neither matched the success of the original.

Today, Arthur remains one of AFI's top 100 comedies, and its influence can still be seen in many modern comedies.

Dudley Moore himself once called Arthur his favorite role, saying it was a character he loved playing.