The Pink Panther

source: The Pink Panther

Trailer—The Pink Panther

THE PINK PANTHER is the first in the long-running series of comedies starring the hapless Inspector Clouseau, as played by Peter Sellers in his most famous role. The surprise here is that Clouseau is merely a supporting character while the typically suave David Niven plays the lead character. The hunt is on for a jewel thief, but along the way the emphasis is very much on flirtation, Bond-style romancing of the ladies, and some slapstick humour. I actually found this film far less funny than I was expecting, despite the strong production values and Niven's winning performance. Sellers is, as ever, something of an acquired taste, best taken in small doses.

This is the first of the Pink Panther movies and, to me, not exactly a comedy. The film, unlike later Panther films, really centers on the bad guys--David Niven and his son, Robert Wagner. Their relationship is THE main focus of the film and the bumbling Clouseau is a secondary character at best. And that leads to the problem I had with the film--it either needed a lot more comedy or they should have eliminated the Clouseau character altogether. As it was, the film is fun and well-made but not exactly memorable. I MUCH preferred the sequel, A SHOT IN THE DARK, as it was a Clouseau film through and through and it had no subplots to divert your attention away from the laughs.

1) This is probably the most beautiful LOOKING slapstick comedy ever filmed. The sets, the scenery, the costumes, the photography - everything looks elegant and expensive. 2) For those of us who actually like the cultural atmosphere of the early sixties at least as much as that of the late sixties, this is a goldmine, ranking right up there with the early Bond films. 3) For insecure actors fixated on billing (i.e., where their names go on the credits): just remember that Peter Sellers got third billing on this film, and yet he's the one everyone thinks of when they think of "The Pink Panther." And not just because of the sequels - this was the movie that made him an American movie star. Billing can't compensate for genius.

I could watch Peter Sellers fumble and bumble around all day, but this picture didn't live up to the expectation I had of it for so long. When the movie came out I recall it made quite a splash, giving birth to a cartoon series and movie sequels, and that Pink Panther theme is as recognizable as any movie theme that's out there. But as for the film, what a disappointment. All the 'under the bed' and 'hide in the closet' stuff got to be way too tedious for this viewer, and quite honestly, watching David Niven pucker up with Claudia Cardinale was a little more than I could take. The topper of course was Inspector Clouseau getting hauled off to the hoosegow mistakenly taken for The Phantom; I thought I stumbled into the wrong picture. By then it would have been too late to turn around of course. I'll have to take the advice of other reviewers here and catch up with one of the sequels.

An American comedy; This story is the first in a long series starring Peter Sellers as bumbling French Police Inspector. His mishaps are amusing, though here he is a supporting player to the suave David Niven who stars as Sir Charles Litton, a jewel thief known as "The Phantom." Claudia Cardinale as the beautiful Princess is delectable. Mancini's powerful score and the memorable song "Meglio Stasera" make it a real treat. The costume design, set design, and the enchanting wintry Cortina D'Ampezzo as a backdrop, makes the viewing very pleasurable. The story is slow with a dull, directionless plot, and it is less comedic than its later sequels but some funny routines make it charming.