The Pink Panther (1963)

*Get the film on Amazon here*

The first Pink Panther film has Peter Sellers as Inspector Jacques Clouseau reduced to a supporting role, as the film makers were not aware that his character would be such a hit.

Sir Charles Lytton (David Niven), rumored to be the notorious cat burglar "The Phantom" woos The Princess (the drop dead stunningly gorgeous Claudia Cardinale) who also happens to own the Pink Panther, the world's largest diamond. Inspector Clouseau investigates, not aware that his own wife Simone (Capucine) is conspiring with Sir Charles.

Since Niven is the star of the film, he has the most scenes, and some of the slowest ones. Edwards' trademark slapstick is underwhelming in this tepid sex comedy- watch for the seduction scene between Sir Charles, The Princess, and a tiger skin rug that literally goes on forever, and had me checking my dormant VCR clock. I do recommend the lovely scenery, all in glorious widescreen. Followed by the superior "A Shot in the Dark."

Stats:
(1963) 115 min. (* * *) out of five stars
-Directed by Blake Edwards
-Screenplay by Maurice Richlin & Blake Edwards
-Cast: David Niven, Peter Sellers, Robert Wagner, Capucine, Claudia Cardinale, Brenda de Banzie, Colin Gordon, John Le Mesurier, James Lanphier, Guy Thomajan, Michael Trubshawe, Riccardo Billi, Meri Welles
(Not Rated)
*Academy Awards*
-Best Original Score (lost to "Mary Poppins")
*BAFTA*
-Best British Actor- Peter Sellers (also for "Dr. Strangelove or: How I Stopped Worrying and Learned to Love the Bomb") (lost to Richard Attenborough for "Guns at Batasi" and "Seance on a Wet Afternoon")