The Pink Panther movies will forever be synonymous with the name Peter Sellers. The British comedian made the character of Inspector Clousseau his very own and kept fans laughing for the best part of a decade. Unfortunatley, Sellers is no longer with us, but at least his films have been captured in a single DVD collection. Sadly, this collection of five films plus extras is notable for one conspicuous absence.
Disc 1: "The Pink Panther"
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. (6/10)
-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)
Disc 2: "A Shot in the Dark"
My favorite Inspector Clouseau film has the nitwit investigating a series of murders at a mansion owned by Benjamin Ballon (George Sanders). The maid Maria (Elke Sommer) is suspected, and Clouseau falls for her despite the overwhelming evidence that she is guilty. A wonderful balance of slapstick and characterization, with classic scenes all around. In "Son of Pink Panther," Claudia Cardinale plays Maria, confusing anyone who followed the series. This film also first introduced Clouseau's boss Charles Dreyfus (Herbert Lom) and manservant Kato (Burt Kwouk). Followed by the non-series entry "Inspector Clouseau" with Alan Arkin, and "The Return of the Pink Panther."
Stats:
(1964) 102 min. (10/10)
-Directed by Blake Edwards
-Screenplay by Blake Edwards and William Peter Blatty, based on the stage play by Harry Kurnitz, from the play "L'Idiote" by Marcel Achard
-Cast: Peter Sellers, Elke Sommer, George Sanders, Herbert Lom, Tracy Reed, Graham Stark, Burt Kwouk, Moira Redmond, Vanda Godsell, Maurice Kaufmann, Ann Lynn, David Lodge, Martin Benson
(Not Rated)
Disc 3: "The Pink Panther Strikes Again"
Dreyfus (Herbert Lom) finally goes off the deep end, and builds a doomsday device in order to kill one man- Chief Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Peter Seller). This may be one of the silliest films ever made, with hit-and-miss gags, but you can see where the inspiration for Mike Myers' Austin Powers series comes from. Weak special effects do not help, although a Tom Jones song has never been used in a funnier manner. Followed by "Revenge of the Pink Panther."
Stats:
(1976) 103 min. (6/10)
-Directed by Blake Edwards
-Screenplay by Frank Waldman and Blake Edwards
-Cast: Peter Sellers, Herbert Lom, Lesley-Anne Down, Burt Kwouk, Colin Blakely, Leonard Rossiter, Andre Maranne, Byron Kane, Omar Sharif, Dick Crockett, Richard Vernon, Briony McRoberts, Dudley Sutton
(PG)
Disc 4: "Revenge of the Pink Panther"
The last film to feature original footage of Peter Sellers as Jacques Clouseau, and the weakest. A multinational conglomerate and the mob all want Clouseau dead, and they think they have succeeded in killing him, so he teams with the company's boss' (Robert Webber) former secretary Simone (Dyan Cannon) to catch the bad guys in Hong Kong. There is an over-reliance on Clouseau in disguise, perhaps to hide an ailing Sellers, who suffered from a heart condition and died at the young age of 55 just two years after this film's release. The rest of this just is not very funny, or interesting. Followed by "Trail of the Pink Panther."
Stats:
(1978) 99 min. (4/10)
-Directed by Blake Edwards
-Screenplay by Frank Waldman & Bob Clark and Blake Edwards, Story by Blake Edwards
-Cast: Peter Sellers, Herbert Lom, Burt Kwouk, Dyan Cannon, Robert Webber, Tony Beckley, Robert Loggia, Paul Stewart, Andre Maranne, Graham Stark, Alfie Bass, Sue Lloyd, Danny Schiller
(PG)
Disc 5: "Trail of the Pink Panther"
After Peter Sellers died, Blake Edwards shot this monstrosity around unused footage of Inspector Jacques Clouseau from previous films. Here, Clouseau is missing and reporter Marie (Joanna Lumley) investigates, visiting family, former friends, and enemies of the inspector. If Edwards meant this as a tribute, then he is way off base as tired footage from previous films is unsuccessfully intercut with Marie's investigation. Very sad. Followed by "Curse of the Pink Panther."
Stats:
(1982) 96 min. (2/10)
-Directed by Blake Edwards
-Screenplay by Frank Waldman & Tom Waldman & Blake Edwards & Geoffrey Edwards, Story by Blake Edwards
-Cast: Peter Sellers, David Niven, Herbert Lom, Richard Mulligan, Joanna Lumley, Capucine, Robert Loggia, Harvey Korman, Burt Kwouk, Graham Stark, Peter Arne, Andre Maranne, Ronald Fraser
(PG)
Disc 6: Bonus Disc
This disc contains two very interesting documentaries. One traces the birth of the Inspector Clouseau character, featuring interviews with the director and crew. The Pink Panther cartoon character gets his own documentary, and the DVD makers wisely put about ten cartoons on the disc, some of which I have not seen since I was a kid. All in all, very entertaining, considering most "making of" DVD documentaries are as enlightening as Bill Clinton under oath. (5/5*)
All the films are in widescreen presentation, which is great for those of us who have had to suffer through the pan and scan versions of these films on home video for years. A nice collection that I do recommend for fans...what? Something's missing? Christopher Plummer? Yeah, I wondered about that, too. There were no Pink Panther films between "A Shot in the Dark" and "Return of the Pink Panther," which featured Christopher Plummer in the role of Sir Charles. For some unknown reason, that film is not in the collection! Watching the documentaries mention it, and the case being referenced in later films, it is a mystery why this was left off, yet "Trail of the Pink Panther" was included. Of course, "Curse of the Pink Panther" and "Son of the Pink Panther" were also left off, but with good reason since they were awful.
"The Pink Panther Film Collection" is by no means perfect, or complete for that matter. When I wrote this in 2004, Hollywood offered up yet another ill conceived remake, with Steve Martin in the Clouseau role, and Kevin Kline as Dreyfus. At least we have these films to remember how funny Sellers was, and how good Edwards used to be.
