The bumbling Inspector Clouseau travels to Rome to catch a notorious jewel thief known as "The Phantom" before he conducts his most daring heist yet: a princess' priceless diamond with one s... Read allThe bumbling Inspector Clouseau travels to Rome to catch a notorious jewel thief known as "The Phantom" before he conducts his most daring heist yet: a princess' priceless diamond with one slight imperfection, known as "The Pink Panther".The bumbling Inspector Clouseau travels to Rome to catch a notorious jewel thief known as "The Phantom" before he conducts his most daring heist yet: a princess' priceless diamond with one slight imperfection, known as "The Pink Panther".
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 4 wins & 8 nominations total
- Defence Barrister
- (as John LeMesurier)
- Monica Fawn
- (as Meri Wells)
- Cortina d'Ampezzo Holiday Guest
- (uncredited)
- Big Joe
- (uncredited)
- Policeman
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaSomewhat overweight for much of his life up to this point and possessing a hang-dog face, Peter Sellers was obsessed with becoming a handsome leading man. Although he easily outperformed Robert Wagner in this picture, he envied the American actor's good looks. To get himself in better shape, he subjected himself to a gruelling weight-loss regimen that included the excessive use of diet pills, possibly a contributing factor to the heart attack he suffered before the film's release. Some biographers also claim he had his teeth straightened and capped.
- GoofsWhen Clouseau first opens the door to his room to look into the hall he yanks it open it swings halfway open then slams back into him. A small "stop" block can be seen fastened to the floor where the door can hit it. The block is gone in all other shots.
- Quotes
[Clouseau bumps into a woman dressed as Cleopatra. He hands back her rubber snake]
Woman: Take your filthy hands off my asp!
- Crazy creditsThe opening credits featuring a pink panther who interacts with a sentient Phantom glove and plays around with the titles.
- ConnectionsEdited into Trail of the Pink Panther (1982)
- SoundtracksIt Had Better Be Tonight
("Meglio Stasera")
Music Henry Mancini
English Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Italian Franco Migliacci
Sung by Fran Jeffries
Tenor sax solos by Plas Johnson
The real point about The Pink Panther is that the Inspector Clouseau character was supposed to be another in the line of Peter Sellers cameos in US films of the time. It was a David Niven film. It was during the shooting that Sellers, realising that he had a chance to make a real name for himself in America, set out to steal every scene, take-after-take. His part was continuously enlarged as a result (much to the alleged chagrin of Niven).
It is only looking back, in the light of the films that followed, that The Pink Panther seems a somewhat lesser comedy than the others.
This is a beautifully over-the-top sixties film. Stylistically it's very dated but a gem to watch, especially when you know that Peter Sellers was trying so hard to make an impact. I urge those of you who love the Pink Panther movies but are disappointed by this one to watch it again, armed with this knowledge, and appreciate the genius at work.
- Richard Album
- Aug 20, 2002
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- Der rosarote Panther
- Filming locations
- Rocca di Papa, Rome, Lazio, Italy(Piazza della Repubblica)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $10,878,107
- Gross worldwide
- $10,878,166
- Runtime1 hour 55 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.20 : 1