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The Pink Panther Overview:

The Pink Panther (1963) was a Comedy - Crime Film directed by Blake Edwards and produced by Martin Jurow and Dick Crockett.

SYNOPSIS

Sellers introduces Inspector Clouseau in this first of the Pink Panther series, which had five sequels. Sellers became inextricably associated with the bungling French policeman who dogs the steps of a suave jewel thief called The Phantom (Niven). Edwards and Sellers seemed to bring out the best in each other, and this madcap cop comedy set the tone for their frequent collaborations.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

The Pink Panther was inducted into the National Film Registry in 2010.

Academy Awards 1964 --- Ceremony Number 37 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best Music - ScoringHenry ManciniNominated
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The Pink Panther BlogHub Articles:

The Pink Panther (1963)

By Beatrice on Nov 27, 2017 From Flickers in Time

The Pink Panther Directed by Blake Edwards Written by Maurice Richlin and Blake Edwards 1963/USA Mirisch-GE Productions First viewing/Amazon Instant Beautiful people, beautiful dresses, beautiful scenery … and Inspector Clouseau. The story is set in various locations in France and Italy. ... Read full article

The Pink Panther (1963)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Jul 31, 2015 From 4 Star Films

I came into the Pink Panther with a bit of prior knowledge about the franchise and Henry Mancini’s legendary theme music. In all honesty, the first film I ever saw in the series was A Shot in the Dark (1964). Peter Sellers’ Inspector Clouseau is the undisputed star of that film which cam... Read full article

The Pink Panther (1963)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Jul 31, 2015 From 4 Star Films

I came into the Pink Panther with a bit of prior knowledge about the franchise and Henry Mancini’s legendary theme music. In all honesty, the first film I ever saw in the series was A Shot in the Dark (1964). Peter Sellers‘ Inspector Clouseau is the undisputed star of that film which cam... Read full article

The Pink Panther, Silent Films, and Me

By Angela on Jan 8, 2014 From Hollywood Revue

Like so very many people, I spent a good amount of my childhood watching cartoons.  I remember being fond of Bugs Bunny and Woody Woodpecker, but my favorite was definitely the Pink Panther.  Oh, did I ever love the Pink Panther!  In my book, he was the funniest of the cartoon characters I watche... Read full article

The Pink Panther

By RBuccicone on Mar 6, 2013 From MacGuffin Movies

The Pink Panther (1964) It is not my favorite of the franchise, but The Pink Panther is a treasure all on it’s own. This first in the series brought to everyone’s attention Peter Sellers‘ brilliant character Inspector Jacques Clouseau. But the part of the bumbling French detective ... Read full article

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The Pink Panther Quotes:

[Having made her tipsy with champagne, Sir Charles Lytton kisses Princess Dala]
Princess Dala: If I were my father, I'd have you tortured.
Sir Charles Lytton: No. If you were your father, I doubt very much if I would have kissed you.
Inspector Jacques Clouseau: I am willing to bet you ten thousand francs, that the phantom is in Cortina at this very moment. Even, perhaps, in this very room.
Simone Clouseau: How exciting. What do you think, Mr. Tucker?
Tucker: Oh, I agree with the inspector. You see, Ten of his last fifteen victims have been guests at Angela Dunning's parties.
Sir Charles Lytton: What are we all talking about?
Simone Clouseau: The notorious Phantom.
Princess Dala: I'm afraid I never heard of him.
Sir Charles Lytton: From the little I've read about him, he seems to be quite a fellow.
Inspector Jacques Clouseau: Believe me. There are few thieves who are as clever as the Phantom. Each theft is completely different and unique, classic in its conception.
George Lytton: I thought you were working on the theory that he does repeat himself.
Inspector Jacques Clouseau: Well, only as far as Angela Dunning's parties are concerned. However, there is one other duplication, but that is his ah... trademark, his calling card, so to speak. He always leaves a white monogrammed glove.
Princess Dala: Sounds terribly theatrical.
Sir Charles Lytton: [dressed as a gorilla] Hi George. Any idea how we get out of here?
George Lytton: [dressed as a gorilla] I don't know. I've been all over this place. I've been up this street, up that one, up that one. How are we gonna get out here?
Sir Charles Lytton: [dressed as a gorilla] Why don't you try the high road up there?
George Lytton: [dressed as a gorilla] Okay. I'll take the high road, you take the low road. So long, Uncle Charles.
Sir Charles Lytton: [dressed as a gorilla] Ciao, George.
Woman: I've never really known another man like him. He can keep ten girls in the air at once and make each one happy.
Princess Dala: Amazing, sort of a contemporary Don Juan?
Sir Charles Lytton: [dressed in gorilla suit] Come back. It's me.
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The Pink Panther Facts
Peter Ustinov was originally selected for the role of Inspector Clouseau, but when Ustinov didn't show up on the first day of filming, Peter Sellers showed up and he got the part instead.
David Niven recalled in one of his funniest anecdotes that his private parts were frostbitten while wearing a thin movie costume during his ski scene shot on an extremely cold day in the Italian Alps.
Peter Sellers modeled the character of Clouseau on the trademark of a box of matches which includes an image of Captain Matthew Webb, who in 1875 became the first person to swim the channel (his heroic mustache and proud stance are both mimicked). To lose weight, Sellers took dieting pills for a year.
Wael Zuaiter, a PLO representative and translator assassinated in Rome by Israeli agents in retaliation for the 1972 Munich Massacre, played the waiter at the cocktail party as an extra. He is seen crossing the room after fadeout from the news headline "Rebels Demand Princess Return Fabulous Gem". Wael was the first target in Israel's Operation Wrath of God, and was portrayed by Makram Khoury in Steven Spielberg's Munich.
The film was intended to have David Niven's character Sir Charles Lytton as the main character. However, Peter Sellers' portrayal of Inspector Clouseau was so loved by the crew (and later by the audience) it became his character this film and the sequels focused on.
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