The Pink Panther (1963 film)
The Pink Panther (The Pink Panther) is a 1963 American film directed by Blake Edwards and starring David Niven, Peter Sellers, Capucine, Robert Wagner and Claudia Cardinale in the main roles. It is the first in a saga of nine similar films, mostly directed by Edwards.
The film featured the hit cartoon character of the same name for the first time in an opening credits sequence made by DePatie-Freleng Enterprises and grossed $10 million domestically.
She was nominated for several international awards.
Plot
The Ghost, a famous jewel thief, tries to get hold of The Pink Panther, a valuable precious stone inside which the silhouette of a panther can be seen.
Inspector Clouseau (Peter Sellers), a French policeman who is the clumsiest in Europe, tracks down the Ghost and arrives in Italy, where the man is supposed to be. thief will hit. There he meets Sir Charles Lytton (David Niven), a wealthy English playboy, who Clouseau believes corresponds to the true identity of the Ghost .
Aided by Clouseau's wife, Simone (Capucine), who is Sir Charles's secret lover, the latter manages to escape, framing Clouseau.
Cast
- David Niven - Sir Charles Lytton
- Peter Sellers - Insp. Jacques Clouseau
- Robert Wagner - George Lytton
- Capucine - Simone Clouseau
- Claudia Cardinale - Princess Dala
- Brenda De Banzie - Angela Dunning
- Colin Gordon... Tucker.
- John Le Mesurier - Advocate
- James Lanphier - Saloud
- Guy Thomajan - Artoff
- Michael Trubshawe - Felix Townes
- Riccardo Billi - Aristoteles Sarajos
- Meri Welles - Monica Fawn
- Martin Miller - Pierre Luigi
- Fran Jeffries - Greek Prime
Other credits
- Production design: Guy Luongo and Jack McEdward
- Artistic direction: Fernando Carrere
- Director Assistant: Ottavio Oppo
- Director of second unit: Owen Crump
- Sound: Alexander Fisher
- Musical editor: Richard Carruth
- Sound effects: Gilbert D. Marchant
- Special effects: Lee Zavitz
- Decorated: Reginald Allen, Jack Stevens and Arrigo Breschi
- Costume design: Yves Saint-Laurent (see of Claudia Cardinale and Capucine).
- Makeup: Amalia Paoletti and Giancarlo de Leonardis(peluquería); Michele Trimarchi and Euclide Santoli (maquillaje)
The animation in the film
Peter Sellers was the one who commissioned the creator of Bugs Bunny to write the opening credits and he decided to create the pink panther.
- Designer of the pink panther: Fritz Freleng
- Director: Hawley Pratt
- Producers: David H. dePatie and Friz Freleng
Aftermath
- The new case of Inspector Clouseau (1964)
- The King of Danger (1968)
- The Return of the Pink Panther (1975)
- The Pink Panther strikes again (1976)
- The Revenge of the Pink Panther (1978)
- After the Pink Panther track (1982)
- The Curse of the Pink Panther (1983)
- The Son of the Pink Panther (1993)
Remakes
- La Pantera Rosa (2006)
- The Pink Panther 2 (2009)
Candidacies
- Blake Edwards was a candidate for Writers Guild of America, for his participation in the script, written in collaboration with Maurice Richlin.
- Peter Sellers won three nominations as Best actor: Golden Globes, BAFTA and Golden Laurel.
- Henry Mancini's soundtrack was a candidate for Oscar.
Music background
Mancini composed 3 songs for the film:[citation needed]
- Pink Panther theme
- Meglio Stasera (It Had Better Be Tonight) with Johnny Mercer and Fran Jeffries.