The Pink Panther (1963) United Artists/Comedy RT: 114 minutes No MPAA Rating (mild language, mildly suggestive dialogue and content) Director: Blake Edwards Screenplay: Maurice Richlin and Blake Edwards Music: Henry Mancini Cinematography: Philip Lathrop Release date: March 20, 1964 (US) Cast: David Niven, Peter Sellers, Robert Wagner, Capucine, Claudia Cardinale, Brenda De Banzie, Colin Gordon, Fran Jeffries. Box Office: $10.9M (US)
Rating: ***
Did you know that The Pink Panther was originally conceived as a comedy caper starring David Niven (The Ladykillers) as charming jewel thief Sir Charles Litton (aka “The Phantom”)? It’s true. Inspector Jacques Clouseau, played by Peter Sellers, was only a supporting character. It became clear during production that Sellers was stealing the movie right from under Niven. Hence, the numerous sequels featuring his character, a clueless and clumsy French detective that bungles his way through cases, solving them only by sheer luck.
I recently watched The Pink Panther for the first time and liked it. It’s a sophisticated comedy aimed at adults. By that, I don’t mean it contains copious amounts of profanity, vulgar humor and explicit sexual scenes. In ’63, the Production Code was still in effect. What I mean is that The Pink Panther is NOT a kid’s movie. It has a plot that the little ones might not understand. It has grown-ups doing grown-up things (for the most part) and having grown-up conversations. That being said, it’s a pretty good movie. It’s clever, witty and well-written. However, it’s not without its flaws. Mainly, certain scenes go on longer than they need to.
In the film’s opening scene, we see the Shah of the fictional Middle Eastern country of Lugash gifting his young daughter with the largest diamond in the world, the Pink Panther, so named for a tiny flaw in the gem that resembles a leaping panther. Several years later, Princess Dala (Claudia) refuses to hand over the priceless jewel to the rebels that have seized power in her home country. They’re not the only ones who want to get their hands on it. Sir Charles plans to steal it from the princess while she vacations at a ski resort in Cortina d’Ampezzo (Northern Italy).
Inspector Clouseau has been on the Phantom’s trail for years. He suspects that Sir Charles is the Phantom. What he doesn’t know is that his own wife Simone (Capucine) is Sir Charles’ lover and partner-in-crime. Sir Charles’ plan to steal the diamond hits a bump in the road when he starts falling for her. Making matters even more complicated in his playboy nephew George (Wagner) who arrives on the scene from America and becomes enamored of Simone. Once he discovers his uncle’s secret profession, he wants to steal the jewel himself. And somehow, all of this gets by Clouseau.
The Pink Panther rates quite high when it comes to plot construction. Edwards and co-writer Maurice Richlin take the time to introduce the characters and set up the story. The dialogue is intelligent and witty. Niven is great as Sir Charles, charming and debonair. Sellers is also very good as Clouseau, not yet the buffoon he became in the subsequent movies. He has a funny scene involving a Stradivarius violin (“If you’ve seen one Stradivarius, you’ve seen them all.”). The best part of The Pink Panther is the madcap car chase sequence near the end. It involves several vehicles driven by people who attended a costume party. I counted two gorillas, a knight and a zebra. This is classic 60s screwball comedy stuff. I also love the international settings (e.g. Rome, Paris and Hollywood).
The problem with the movie is that certain scenes run too long, two in particular. The first is where Sir Charles attempts to seduce a drunken Dala is his hotel room. Nothing much happens other than a conversation and Dala playing with a tiger-skin rug. The other takes places in the Clouseaus’ room; it involves both Sir Charles and George trying to sneak out when Jacques returns sooner than expected. It’s amusing, but too long. The score by Henry Mancini is terrific. I love that theme song! Also, singer Fran Jeffries has a great number “Meglio Stasera” (It Had Better Be Tonight) about midway through. The Pink Panther is a clever and funny movie. Like the jewel, it’s imperfect but still nice to look at.
