The Pink Panther (1963 film)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| The Pink Panther | |
|---|---|
 original film poster |
|
| Directed by | Blake Edwards |
| Produced by | Martin Jurow |
| Written by | Blake Edwards Maurice Richlin |
| Starring | David Niven Peter Sellers Claudia Cardinale Robert Wagner |
| Music by | Henry Mancini |
| Cinematography | Philip H. Lathrop |
| Editing by | Marshall M. Borden Ralph Winters David Zinnemann |
| Distributed by | United Artists |
| Release date(s) | December 19, 1963 (Germany) March 20, 1964 (USA) |
| Running time | 113 min. |
| Country | UK / USA |
| Language | English |
| Followed by | A Shot in the Dark |
| All Movie Guide profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
The Pink Panther, directed by Blake Edwards and co-written by Edwards and Maurice Richlin, is a 1963 comedy film, starring David Niven, Peter Sellers, and Robert Wagner.
It is also the first in a film franchise, concerning the adventures of bumbling Inspector Jacques Clouseau (played by Peter Sellers) and his attempts to locate the Pink Panther diamond. In 2006 MGM did a reboot of the series which was released in February 2006 starring Steve Martin as Inspector Jacques Clouseau.
The Technirama film was shot in an aspect ratio of 2.20:1 in Technicolor.
It was originally released theatrically by United Artists, and is now available on VHS and DVD from MGM Home Entertainment.
20th Century Fox also released the film on DVD in Brazil in 2004.
Taglines for the film included "A Madcap Frolic Of Crime and Fun" and "You only live once, so see The Pink Panther twice!"
This film is number 62 on Bravo's "100 Funniest Movies".
Contents |
[edit] Plot
As a child, Princess Dala's father gives her as a gift the largest diamond in the world, the Pink Panther. The diamond has an unusual flaw: if one stares into the stone long enough, one can see what appears to be a pink panther, hence the name. When Dala is a young woman, rebels in her home country have seized power and are demanding the return of the jewel.
Dala relaxes on holiday in an exclusive skiing resort; but noted British capitalist, Sir Charles Litton, is in town. He is secretly "The Phantom" — an infamous jewel thief who has eyes on the Pink Panther. Charles's American playboy nephew George follows to the resort in an attempt to steal it and blame it on "The Phantom", not knowing (at first) that the Phantom is his uncle. George later becomes accessory to the crime.
On the Phantom's trail is Inspector Jacques Clouseau, from France, and his wife who, unknown to Jacques, is the paramour of Charles and helper in the Phantom's crimes. Jacques tries to stop the theft attempts but he is so clueless that when several attempts are made at a fancy dress party, Jacques looks everywhere but the right place.
In spite of himself, the buffoonish inspector captures Sir Charles and his accomplices. Madame Clouseau arranges for the barrister to ask a series of questions that will implicate the Inspector as an alternative suspect. To add insult to injury, the awestruck Dala (who has a soft spot for Sir Charles) secretly attaches the Pink Panther to the Inspector's handkerchief. When Clouseau unwittingly produces the "missing" jewel from his pocket during the trial, he is convicted of the crime instead of the actual perpetrators.
Consequently, Clouseau is sent to prison. When asked how he committed the earlier thefts of the Panther and similar stones, he can say nothing but "Well...it wasn't easy."
[edit] Cast
- David Niven - Sir Charles Litton
- Peter Sellers - Insp. Jacques Clouseau
- Robert Wagner - George Litton
- Capucine - Simone Clouseau
- Brenda De Banzie - Angela Dunning
- Colin Gordon - Tucker
- John Le Mesurier - Defense attorney
- James Lanphier - Saloud
- Guy Thomajan - Artoff
- Michael Trubshawe - Felix Townes
- Riccardo Billi - Aristotle Sarajos
- Meri Welles - Monica Fawn
- Martin Miller - Pierre Luigi
- Fran Jeffries - Greek cousin
- Claudia Cardinale - Princess Dala
[edit] Trivia
- Claudia Cardinale couldn't speak English, and all her lines were dubbed. She has since learned to speak English fluently.
- The film was originally intended to create a series of movies for David Niven's character, The Phantom. However, after the popularity of the Clouseau character, the idea was dropped.
- The role of Clouseau was originally offered to Peter Ustinov. Ustinov dropped out days before shooting commenced. Upset by this, Blake Edwards sued Ustinov, and won.
- The sequel, A Shot In The Dark, was not originally intended to feature Inspector Clouseau. However, after the success of The Pink Panther, the movie was offered to Blake Edwards, and he rewrote it to suit the Clouseau character.
- The film is the only Pink Panther movie which does not star Herbert Lom, Burt Kwouk, or Graham Stark.
- The sequel was shot and released only 3 months after The Pink Panther was finished.
- Ava Gardner was originally offered the role of Madame Clouseau, but her salary demands were considered unacceptable and the role was offered to Capucine instead.
- Capucine was offered the role of Madame Clouseau after her friend, Audrey Hepburn, suggested her to Blake Edwards. Audrey Hepburn had worked with Edwards on Breakfast At Tiffany's and had been friends with Capucine for many years.
- Later the same year, the animated Pink Panther character got his own series of animated shorts.
[edit] Soundtrack album
The soundtrack album was released on RCA Victor, and consisted of music written by Henry Mancini, performed by his orchestra, and featured in the film.
- All songs written by Henry Mancini, except where noted.
[edit] Side one
- "The Pink Panther Theme" - 2:35
- "It Had Better Be Tonight (Meglio Stasera)" (Instrumental) - 1:44
- "Royal Blue" - 3:09
- "Champagne and Quail" - 2:45
- "The Village Inn" - 2:34
- "The Tiber Twist" - 2:47
[edit] Side two
- "It Had Better Be Tonight (Meglio Stasera)" (Vocal) (Henry Mancini - Johnny Mercer) - 1:56
- "Cortina" - 1:52
- "The Lonely Princess" - 2:25
- "Something for Sellers" - 2:45
- "Piano and Strings" - 2:34
- "Shades of Sennett" - 1:22
[edit] The Pink Panther film series
- A Shot in the Dark (1964)
- Inspector Clouseau (1968) (stars Alan Arkin as Clouseau, and not directed by Edwards)
- The Return of the Pink Panther (1975) (with Sellers and Edwards back)
- The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976)
- Revenge of the Pink Panther (1978)
- Trail of the Pink Panther (1982) (features the now deceased Peter Sellers by using clips from previous films)
- Curse of the Pink Panther (1983) (in which Clouseau has conveniently gone missing and returns in the form of an uncredited Roger Moore)
- Son of the Pink Panther (1993) (starring Roberto Benigni as Inspector Clouseau, Jr.)
- The Pink Panther (2006) (starring Steve Martin as Inspector Clouseau.)
- The Pink Panther 2 (2008)
