The bumbling Inspector Clouseau travels to Rome to catch a notorious jewel thief known as "The Phantom" before he conducts his most daring heist yet: a princess' priceless diamond with one s... Read allThe bumbling Inspector Clouseau travels to Rome to catch a notorious jewel thief known as "The Phantom" before he conducts his most daring heist yet: a princess' priceless diamond with one slight imperfection, known as "The Pink Panther".The bumbling Inspector Clouseau travels to Rome to catch a notorious jewel thief known as "The Phantom" before he conducts his most daring heist yet: a princess' priceless diamond with one slight imperfection, known as "The Pink Panther".
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 4 wins & 8 nominations total
- Defence Barrister
- (as John LeMesurier)
- Monica Fawn
- (as Meri Wells)
- Big Joe
- (uncredited)
- Policeman
- (uncredited)
- Costume Party Guest
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaSomewhat overweight for much of his life up to this point and possessing a hang-dog face, Peter Sellers was obsessed with becoming a handsome leading man. Although he easily outperformed Robert Wagner in this picture, he envied the American actor's good looks. To get himself in better shape, he subjected himself to a gruelling weight-loss regimen that included the excessive use of diet pills, possibly a contributing factor to the heart attack he suffered before the film's release. Some biographers also claim he had his teeth straightened and capped.
- GoofsWhen Clouseau first opens the door to his room to look into the hall he yanks it open it swings halfway open then slams back into him. A small "stop" block can be seen fastened to the floor where the door can hit it. The block is gone in all other shots.
- Quotes
[Clouseau bumps into a woman dressed as Cleopatra. He hands back her rubber snake]
Woman: Take your filthy hands off my asp!
- Crazy creditsThe opening credits featuring a pink panther who interacts with a sentient Phantom glove and plays around with the titles.
- ConnectionsEdited into Trail of the Pink Panther (1982)
- SoundtracksIt Had Better Be Tonight
("Meglio Stasera")
Music Henry Mancini
English Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Italian Franco Migliacci
Sung by Fran Jeffries
Tenor sax solos by Plas Johnson
This is one of my all-time favorite movies. I watched it when it came out. I was eleven and it was showing at a local drive-in. Since then the movie has never failed to entertain me.
Unlike most of the other reviewers, I don't share the same admiration for the later Clouseau movies. I did enjoy _A Shot in the Dark_ and even liked _Return of the Pink Panther_ and its sequel, but frankly, Herbert Lom's twitch, Kato's surprise attacks, increasingly more ludicrous plot devices, and the very fact that Clouseau was still in a position of responsibility was more disbelief than I was willing to suspend.
_The Pink Panther_ is a great Romantic Comedy. That, in itself separates it from all the other Panther clones, which are all farcical slapsticks. Different humor, different purposes, therefore a different appreciation.
_The Pink Panther_ was not a blueprint for other Clouseau movies. Only for the Clouseau character.
This movie was the inspiration for an American icon. The Pink Panther cartoons came out well before the next movie. It also featured inspired comedy performances by its four leads. Yes, FOUR leads. Just because Clouseau wasn't the only major character doesn't mean he was minor. Sellers has more scenes than anyone except David Niven.
_The Pink Panther_ deserves to be considered on its own merits and not compared to movies of another genre that strove to capitalize on the popularity of the original.
- wdbrown
- Jul 25, 2002
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- Der rosarote Panther
- Filming locations
- Rocca di Papa, Rome, Lazio, Italy(Piazza della Repubblica)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $10,878,107
- Gross worldwide
- $10,878,166
- Runtime1 hour 55 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.20 : 1