THE PINK PANTHER

I got more enjoyment listening to the laughter of several kids sitting a few rows behind me during “The Pink Panther” than I got from the movie itself.   They were clearly under the age of ten. This made me look at this latest attempt to resurrect Inspector Clouseau with a less critical eye. This reincarnation of “The Pink Panther” is downright silly. Juvenile might be a better word, but silly will suffice. The kids laughing uncontrollably at most of Steve Martin’s antics in the role that made Peter Sellers a household name in the late sixties and mid-seventies, probably never heard of Sellers. His Inspector Clouseau under the guidance of director Blake Edwards had an adult sensibility. Martin’s Clouseau is much too broad to win the hearts and minds of an adult audience. His ineptness appears purposeful whereas Sellers’ made Clouseau’s clumsiness an organic part of his personality.

“The Pink Panther” from 1964 was a slick combination of slapstick and sophistication with David Niven, Robert Wagner, Capucine and Claudia Cardinale. This version,  a prequel of sorts, has none of the original’s charm. Kevin Kline has  the thankless and uninspired role of the Chief Inspector Dreyfuss who hires the worst gendarme he can find to solve a mystery behind the disappearance of the Pink Panther diamond and a murder at a soccer game.  He secretly hopes to solve the case himself while the spotlight is on Clouseau. Beyonce plays the love interest who holds the key to the diamond’s disappearance. Jean Reno who plays Clouseau’s partner with deadpan seriousness.

For inspired lunacy seek out the “Pink Panther” movies with Peter Sellers. Leave this one for the kiddies.

                                                                                                                      Copyright 2006

See Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau directed by Blake Edwards.

“The Pink Panther” (1964) - Clouseau is on the trail of a master thief who calls himself The Phantom. The Pink Panther of the title is an image seen inside a diamond, hence the Pink Panther diamond. This was the only thing the first movie has in common with the remake. The classic opening credits inspired the Saturday morning cartoon series.

“A Shot in the Dark” (1964) - Clouseau keeps an eye on Elke Sommer as a suspected murderess who leaves a trail of bodies everywhere she goes. The movie’s highlight is an escape from a nudist colony without nudity. Peter Sellers and Elke Sommer dodge traffic and onlookers au naturel through the streets of Paris. Herbert Lom appears for the first time as Chief Inspector Dreyfuss. Burt Kwouk is Cato, Clouseau’s man servant who constantly surprises Clouseau with karate sneak attacks to keep him on his toes.

“Return of the Pink Panther” (1975) - The Pink Panther diamond is stolen again and Clouseau is on the trail of suspect Christopher Plummer filling in for David Niven frpm the original as The Phantom, thought to be in retirement. Meanwhile Clouseau continues to drive Inspector Dreyfuss crazy. Clouseau’s death could be the answer to Dreyfuss’ problems.

“The Pink Panther Strikes Again” (1976) - Chief Inspector Dreyfuss is released from a mental institution. With the best of intentions, Clouseau once again continues to drive Dreyfuss insane. There’s a Doomsday Machine and a barrage of global assassins after Clouseau, the only man who can save the world from destruction. My personal favorite despite its outrageous premise.

“Revenge of the Pink Panther” (1978) - Robert Webber plays a French mobster who decides to kill Clouseau to prove himself to his peers. He mistakenly kills someone else, and Clouseau must go undercover to find out who’s out to get him. Dreyfuss is once again released from an asylum just in time to privately rejoice at Clouseau’s funeral. Little does he know!

Another Pink Panther movie with Peter Sellers made by director Blake Edwards.

“Trail of the Pink Panther” (1982) - Peter Sellers died in 1980 but this didn’t stop the  Pink Panther money train from putting him back on the screen with outtakes and recycled scenes from the previous Sellers films in the form of stories told to a TV reporter by those who knew Clouseau.

Another Clouseau film without Peter Sellers but directed by Blake Edwards

“Curse of the Pink Panther” (1983) - TV actor Ted Wass (Soap, Blossom) gives it his best shot as Clouseau as Edwards tries to recapture the old films’ glory with actors like David Niven and Robert Wagner from the older films.

A son of Clouseau movie from Director Blake Edwards

“Son of the Pink Panther” (1993) - On paper it must’ve looked good to cast Italian comic actor Roberto Benigni as the offspring of Clouseau, but it never clicked at the box office. A few of the trusted actors from the past films are back like Claudia Cardinale who was in the very first Pink Panther movie, as well as Herbert Lom and Burt Kwouk as Cato.  

The only other Clouseau movie not made by director Blake Edwards

“Inspector Clouseau” (1968) - Adam Arkin tried his best to resurrect the character of Clouseau under the guidance of director Bud Yorkin long before Edwards decided to bring him back with frequent collaborator Peter Sellers in 1975. Here, Clouseau comes to the aid of Scotland Yard. The film was made in England where I suspect director Yorkin may have seen the British TV series he would later base All in the Family on with the help of Norman Lear.