"No. If you were your father, I doubt very much if I would have kissed you"
A ski resort in Cortina, Italy is overrun with excitement. Princess Dala (Cardinale), the daughter of the overthrown Shah of Lugash, is on vacation with her bodyguard, dog, and the largest diamond in the world: the Pink Panther.
Meanwhile, the notorious jewel thief, the Phantom strikes again. His alter ego is wealthy playboy Sir Charles Lytton (Niven), who also decides to vacation in Cortina... and has his next target picked. He sets the plan in motion with the help of his assistant, Artoff (Thomajan).
Meanwhile in the U.S.A., Sir Charles' nephew George (Wagner) is in trouble. He owes a large amount of money to a gangster, and flees to Italy to visit his uncle. And to try his hand at stealing the Pink Panther.
Meanwhile, bumbling French Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Sellers), who has spent the last 10 years trying to capture the Phantom, is called to Cortina to protect the Pink Panther and arrest the Phantom. He brings along his wife Simone (Capucine), who is actually in cahoots with the Phantom, unbeknownst to her husband.
As all the players converge on the ski lodge, who will walk away with the diamond?
These films (the Peter Sellers' Pink Panther Series) are an integral part of my childhood, I can quote extensively from each film and have a hard time being objective (but I will try).
It's funny... this was supposed to be a vehicle for David Niven. The first in a series for his character, but Peter Sellers ended up stealing the show with his bumbling detective. Because of that, this film has a different feel than the sequels, which lean more towards slapstick.
Niven is suave and realistic, but it is Sellers you remember. The film works, but there aren't many standout scenes. The best is in the Clouseau's hotel room, as Simone tries to juggle three men: to hide Sir Charles from George, who she then must hide elsewhere from her oblivious husband who just wants to be alone with her.
What stands out more in the film is the soundtrack. This is the introduction to the know famous "Pink Panther Theme" by Henry Mancini, which plays over the opening credits with the cartoon pink panther, and is featured throughout the film. The other memorable tune is "Meglio Strasera" (It Had Better Be Tonight) sung by Fran Jeffries (the Greek "cousin"), with the cast getting into it. Check out the video on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjeW3zBRvBM&feature=related).
Meanwhile, the notorious jewel thief, the Phantom strikes again. His alter ego is wealthy playboy Sir Charles Lytton (Niven), who also decides to vacation in Cortina... and has his next target picked. He sets the plan in motion with the help of his assistant, Artoff (Thomajan).
Meanwhile in the U.S.A., Sir Charles' nephew George (Wagner) is in trouble. He owes a large amount of money to a gangster, and flees to Italy to visit his uncle. And to try his hand at stealing the Pink Panther.
Meanwhile, bumbling French Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Sellers), who has spent the last 10 years trying to capture the Phantom, is called to Cortina to protect the Pink Panther and arrest the Phantom. He brings along his wife Simone (Capucine), who is actually in cahoots with the Phantom, unbeknownst to her husband.
As all the players converge on the ski lodge, who will walk away with the diamond?
These films (the Peter Sellers' Pink Panther Series) are an integral part of my childhood, I can quote extensively from each film and have a hard time being objective (but I will try).
Niven is suave and realistic, but it is Sellers you remember. The film works, but there aren't many standout scenes. The best is in the Clouseau's hotel room, as Simone tries to juggle three men: to hide Sir Charles from George, who she then must hide elsewhere from her oblivious husband who just wants to be alone with her.
What stands out more in the film is the soundtrack. This is the introduction to the know famous "Pink Panther Theme" by Henry Mancini, which plays over the opening credits with the cartoon pink panther, and is featured throughout the film. The other memorable tune is "Meglio Strasera" (It Had Better Be Tonight) sung by Fran Jeffries (the Greek "cousin"), with the cast getting into it. Check out the video on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjeW3zBRvBM&feature=related).
Not necessarily the best in the series, but every series needs a start and this film sets the stage nicely.
The Pink Panther (1963) 115 minutes
Director: Blake Edwards
Starring: David Niven as Sir Charles Lytton
Peter Sellers as Inspector Jacques Clousea
Robert Wagner as George Lytton
Capucine as Simone Clouseau
Claudia Cardinale as Princess Dala
Brenda De Banzie as Angela Dunning
Brenda De Banzie as Angela Dunning
Guy Thomajan as Artoff
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