Revenge of the Pink Panther (1978) United Artists/Comedy RT: 99 minutes Rated PG (mild language, violence, some sexual content) Director: Blake Edwards Screenplay: Frank Waldman, Ron Clark and Blake Edwards Music: Henry Mancini Cinematography: Ernest Day Release date: July 19, 1978 (US) Cast: Peter Sellers, Herbert Lom, Dyan Cannon, Robert Webber, Burt Kwouk, Robert Loggia, Paul Stewart, Tony Beckley, Andre Maranne, Graham Stark, Alfie Bass, Sue Lloyd, Adrienne Corri, Andrew Sachs, Ed Parker. Box Office: $49.5M (US)
Rating: ***
Revenge of the Pink Panther is the last of the Pink Panther films completed prior to star Peter Sellers’ death in 1980. As far as the Pink Panther movies go, it’s one of the weaker efforts, but it’s still pretty good. In this go-around, Chief Inspector Jacques Clouseau takes on the French Connection (basically, the French Mafia) after they try and fail to kill him.
Revenge of the Pink Panther has its fair share of funny moments, but it’s not as consistently funny as the previous two entries- The Return of the Pink Panther (1975) and The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976). One scene in particular runs longer than necessary, but Blake Edwards has a tendency to do that with these movies. I guess it has to do with Edwards and Sellers improvising rather than scripting the comedic bits. They’re well-orchestrated, but some of them wear out their welcome and become tedious. What strikes me as most interesting about Revenge of the Pink Panther is how very late 70s it is. Besides the fashions and interiors, Henry Mancini reworked his famous Pink Panther theme to make it sound more disco. It’s not a bad variation, but there’s nothing like the jazzy original.
In order to save face with the Mafia in New York, businessman and French Connection head Philippe Douvier (Webber, 10) takes the suggestion of one of his aides (Beckley, When a Stranger Calls) to put a hit on Clouseau. After two failed attempts, including one involving a ninja hitman (American Kenpo founder Parker), Douvier believes he has finally succeeded after his men lure the detective into a trap. The only problem is that it wasn’t Clouseau, but a transvestite mugger who stole his clothes and car right before the attack.
However, everybody believes Clouseau to be dead and the entire country goes into mourning. Former Chief Inspector Dreyfus (Lom), miraculously resurrected after his demise at the end of the previous movie and miraculously cured after hearing the news of Clouseau’s death, is released from the mental hospital, reinstated to his former position and assigned to investigate the detective’s murder. Clouseau takes advantage of being dead and conducts his own investigation with the help of faithful servant Cato (Kwouk) and Douvier’s former mistress Simone (Cannon, Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice).
For the most part, Revenge of the Pink Panther is an enjoyable slapstick comedy. Sellers delivers another funny performance as Clouseau although he does look a bit tired. He wasn’t in the best of health in his final years and it shows here. He still gets in a few good bits like the fight with the ninja and the scene where Cato has turned his apartment into a Chinese brothel under the assumption that his boss wouldn’t be coming back. Lom does a fine job as well, especially with his reactions to seeing Clouseau turn up (in disguise) at various points in the movie. His eulogy at Clouseau’s funeral is also quite funny.
The climactic chase through the streets of Hong Kong is well done. I love that it ends up at a fireworks factory. In a movie like this, that can only end one way. Cannon makes a nice addition to the cast. Not only is she attractive, she has no intention of allowing Clouseau to go after Douvier on his own. She too wants her revenge for being dumped. Mancini’s score and the animated opening titles are, as always, highlights. Revenge of the Pink Panther (like its immediate predecessors) relies heavily on physical comedy. In that respect, it’s pretty good. In terms of story, it’s also pretty good. But like I said, it’s an inconsistent movie. It’s a bumpy journey, but it gets the job done.
