THE PINK PANTHER

US, 1963, 115 minutes, Colour.
David Niven, Peter Sellers, Robert Wagner, Capucine, Claudia Cardinale, Brenda de Banzie, Colin Gordon, John Le Mesurier.
Directed by Blake Edwards.

The Pink Panther series became very famous. The original film, directed by Blake Edwards and written by him, was a humorous crime caper spoof. David Niven and Robert Wagner received most attention. However, Peter Sellers' impersonation of the bumbling detective, Inspector Clouseau, captivated audiences. So did the credit sequence with the animated character of the Pink Panther. Henry Mancini's signature tune also helped.

These ingredients were transferred into a full vehicle for Peter Sellers with 'A Shot in the Dark'. There was a new theme tune, the credit sequence and the animated character of the Inspector. In the sixties there was series of Pink Panther cartoons and Inspector cartoons.

In 1967 Alan Arkin, under the direction of Bud Yorkin, impersonated Inspector Clouseau but the film was not a success. In the seventies there were three sequels, all featuring Peter Sellers and his bumbling style with Herbert Lom as the frustrated Police Inspector. One of the main features again was the Mancini music and more importantly the animated sequences at the beginning of each film which were quite delightful. A very strong and entertaining series.

By the 1980s, Peter Sellers had died but Edwards made two more Pink Panther films, one using outtakes from earlier films, The Curse of the Pink Panther and then, with Roberto Benigni, The Son of the Pink Panther.

2005 saw a remake with Steve Martin.

1. How enjoyable this comedy? Its qualities, classic status?

2. The film as the beginning of a series? The cartoon during the credits and the reputation of this cartoon character? The Inspector and continuing audience interest in Inspector Clouseau? A cartoon series from the Inspector? The music and its popularity over the years? The film's initial impact in its time? Since?

3. The importance of colour, Panavision, the Italian and Alpine settings, Rome, the musical theme, songs, animation? Their contribution to the film's success and enjoyment?

4. The atmosphere of wealth and opulence, international society, ski resorts, Rome as background for this robbery-comedy film?

5. The focus on the jewel itself and the princess? The background of her situation, her style, her assistants? Her being patronized and protected? Her character, romance, drunk scene etc.? Her planning of the robbery?

6. The film as a robbery film? The situation, the attempts, the nature of the criminals, their style? The film's enjoyment on this level?

7. Sir Charles and David Niven's style? His character, elegant jewel thief? His Phantom career? Robbery, morals, liaison with Simone? The challenge of George? His trying to outwit the Inspector?

8. George as a younger more modern version of Sir Charles? His reputation, reality, the playboy, discovery of the truth, attempts to rob? An important character for the film?

9. The importance of Inspector Clouseau for the success of the film? As a focus of the plot, his character, Peter Sellers' style of visual humour, verbal humour? His casual style of investigation and his mistakes? His interviews with people? His relationship with his wife and their comic scenes together? The comic scenes with his assistant?

10. Simione as a character, her relationship to her husband, to Sir Charles? Her involvement with the robberies? Her intercession at the end? Driving off with the Princess?

11. The comedy in the character of Tucker and his assistance to Clouseau?

12. The satire on Angela as the society hostess? The people at her parties?

13. The party atmosphere? In the Alps, in Rome? The disguises and fancy dress? The lights? The visual impact of the party and its revelry? As background for the robbery?

14. The comedy of the chase, the cars, the piazza, the old man observing the chase?

15. The satire on the trial of the thieves, the trick on Clouseau, and the irony of the ending with his taking the reputation of the thief?

16. The qualities of humour and audience response to these?