The Return of the Pink Panther: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|1975 detective comedy film by Blake Edwards}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2016}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2016}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name          = The Return of the Pink Panther
| image          = The Return of the Pink Panther poster.jpg
| image          = The Return of the Pink Panther poster.jpg
| image_size    =
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director      = [[Blake Edwards]]
| director      = [[Blake Edwards]]
| producer      = Blake Edwards<br>'''Animation:'''<br>[[w:Richard Williams (animator)|Richard Williams]]<br>[[w:Ken Harris|Ken Harris]]
| producer      = Blake Edwards<br>'''Animation:'''<br>[[Richard Williams (animator)|Richard Williams]]<br>[[Ken Harris|Ken Harris]]
| writer        = Blake Edwards<br />[[w:Frank Waldman]]
| writer        = Blake Edwards<br />[[Frank Waldman]]
| narrator      =
| narrator      =
| starring      = [[Peter Sellers]]<br />[[w:Christopher Plummer|Christopher Plummer]]<br />[[w:Catherine Schell|Catherine Schell]]<br />[[w:Herbert Lom|Herbert Lom]]
| starring      = [[Peter Sellers]]<br />[[Christopher Plummer|Christopher Plummer]]<br />[[Catherine Schell|Catherine Schell]]<br />[[Herbert Lom|Herbert Lom]]
| music          = [[w:Henry Mancini|Henry Mancini]]
| music          = [[Henry Mancini|Henry Mancini]]
| cinematography = [[w:Geoffrey Unsworth|Geoffrey Unsworth]]
| cinematography = [[Geoffrey Unsworth|Geoffrey Unsworth]]
| editing        = Tom Priestly
| editing        = Tom Priestly
| studio        = [[w:ITC Entertainment|ITC Entertainment]]<br />Jewel Productions<br />Pimlico Films<br>[[w:The Mirisch Company|Mirisch-Geoffrey]]<br>
| studio        = [[ITC Entertainment|ITC Entertainment]]<br />Jewel Productions<br />Pimlico Films<br>[[The Mirisch Company|Mirisch-Geoffrey]]<br>
| distributor    = [[w:United Artists|United Artists]]
| distributor    = [[United Artists|United Artists]]
| released      = {{film date|1975|5|21|df=y}}
| released      = {{film date|1975|5|21|df=y}}
| runtime        = 114 minutes
| runtime        = 114 minutes
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| gross          = $75 million<ref name=ww>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=December 22, 1976|page=9|title=The Pink Panther Strikes Again (advertisement)}}</ref>
| gross          = $75 million<ref name=ww>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=December 22, 1976|page=9|title=The Pink Panther Strikes Again (advertisement)}}</ref>
}}
}}
'''''The Return of the Pink Panther''''' is a 1975 [[w:comedy film]] and the fourth film<!-- Including ''[[Inspector Clouseau (film)|Inspector Clouseau]]'' (1968) in the cannon. This film replaced Sellers with [[w:Alan Arkin]] in the title role and did not involve Blake Edwards. --> in ''[[The Pink Panther]]'' series. The film stars [[Peter Sellers]] returning to the role of [[Inspector Clouseau]] for the first time since ''[[w:A Shot in the Dark (1964 film)|A Shot in the Dark]]'' (1964), after having declined to reprise the role in ''[[w:Inspector Clouseau (film)|Inspector Clouseau]]'' (1968). The film was a commercial hit and revived the previously dormant series and with it Peter Sellers' career.
'''''The Return of the Pink Panther''''' is a 1975 [[comedy film]] and the fourth film<!-- Including ''[[Inspector Clouseau (film)|Inspector Clouseau]]'' (1968) in the cannon. This film replaced Sellers with [[Alan Arkin]] in the title role and did not involve Blake Edwards. --> in ''[[The Pink Panther]]'' series. The film stars [[Peter Sellers]] returning to the role of [[Inspector Clouseau]] for the first time since ''[[A Shot in the Dark (1964 film)|A Shot in the Dark]]'' (1964), after having declined to reprise the role in ''[[Inspector Clouseau (film)|Inspector Clouseau]]'' (1968). The film was a commercial hit and revived the previously dormant series and with it Peter Sellers' career.


[[w:Herbert Lom|Herbert Lom]] reprises his role as Chief Inspector [[List of The Pink Panther characters|Charles Dreyfus]] from ''A Shot in the Dark''; he remained a regular thereafter. The character of Sir Charles Litton, the notorious Phantom, is played by [[w:Christopher Plummer|Christopher Plummer]]. [[w:David Niven|David Niven]], who played the part in ''[[The Pink Panther (1963 film)|The Pink Panther]]'' (1963), was unavailable. The Pink Panther diamond once again plays a central role in the plot.
[[Herbert Lom|Herbert Lom]] reprises his role as Chief Inspector [[List of The Pink Panther characters|Charles Dreyfus]] from ''A Shot in the Dark''; he remained a regular thereafter. The character of Sir Charles Litton, the notorious Phantom, is played by [[Christopher Plummer|Christopher Plummer]]. [[David Niven|David Niven]], who played the part in ''[[The Pink Panther (1963 film)|The Pink Panther]]'' (1963), was unavailable. The Pink Panther diamond once again plays a central role in the plot.


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
In the fictional country of Lugash, a mysterious thief seizes the Pink Panther diamond and leaves a white glove embroidered with a gold "P". With its national treasure once again missing, the Shah of Lugash requests the assistance of [[Inspector Clouseau]] ([[Peter Sellers]]) of the [[w:Sûreté|Sûreté]], as Clouseau had recovered the diamond the last time it was stolen (in [[The Pink Panther (1963 film)|The Pink Panther]]). Clouseau has been temporarily demoted to beat cop by his boss, Chief Inspector Charles Dreyfus ([[w:Herbert Lom|Herbert Lom]]), who despises him to the point of obsession, but the [[w:Government of France|French government]] forces Dreyfus to reinstate him. Clouseau joyously receives the news and duly departs for Lugash, but not before fending off a surprise attack from his servant Cato ([[Burt Kwouk]]), who had been ordered to do so to keep the Inspector on his toes.
In the fictional country of Lugash, a mysterious thief seizes the Pink Panther diamond and leaves a white glove embroidered with a gold "P". With its national treasure once again missing, the Shah of Lugash requests the assistance of [[Inspector Clouseau]] ([[Peter Sellers]]) of the [[Sûreté|Sûreté]], as Clouseau had recovered the diamond the last time it was stolen (in [[The Pink Panther (1963 film)|The Pink Panther]]). Clouseau has been temporarily demoted to beat cop by his boss, Chief Inspector Charles Dreyfus ([[Herbert Lom|Herbert Lom]]), who despises him to the point of obsession, but the [[Government of France|French government]] forces Dreyfus to reinstate him. Clouseau joyously receives the news and duly departs for Lugash, but not before fending off a surprise attack from his servant Cato ([[Burt Kwouk]]), who had been ordered to do so to keep the Inspector on his toes.


Upon examining the crime scene in the national museum — in which, due to his habitual clumsiness, he wrecks several priceless antiques — Clouseau concludes that the glove implicates Sir Charles Litton ([[w:Christopher Plummer|Christopher Plummer]]), alias "the notorious Phantom," as the thief. After several catastrophic failures to stake out Litton Manor in [[w:Nice|Nice]], Clouseau believes a mysterious assassin is attempting to kill him. He follows Sir Charles' wife, Lady Claudine Litton ([[w:Catherine Schell|Catherine Schell]]), to the [[w:Gstaad Palace|Gstaad Palace]] hotel in [[w:Switzerland|Switzerland]] in search of clues to her husband's whereabouts, and repeatedly bungles the investigation.
Upon examining the crime scene in the national museum — in which, due to his habitual clumsiness, he wrecks several priceless antiques — Clouseau concludes that the glove implicates Sir Charles Litton ([[Christopher Plummer|Christopher Plummer]]), alias "the notorious Phantom," as the thief. After several catastrophic failures to stake out Litton Manor in [[Nice|Nice]], Clouseau believes a mysterious assassin is attempting to kill him. He follows Sir Charles' wife, Lady Claudine Litton ([[Catherine Schell|Catherine Schell]]), to the [[Gstaad Palace|Gstaad Palace]] hotel in [[Switzerland|Switzerland]] in search of clues to her husband's whereabouts, and repeatedly bungles the investigation.


Meanwhile, Sir Charles is teased about the theft by his wife, and realizes he has been framed. Arriving in Lugash to clear his name, Sir Charles barely avoids being murdered and sent to the Lugash secret police by his associate known as the "Fat Man" ([[w:Eric Pohlmann|Eric Pohlmann]]), who explains that with the leading suspect dead, the secret police will no longer have an excuse to continue purging their political enemies. Escaping to his suite, Litton finds secret police Colonel Sharki ([[w:Peter Arne|Peter Arne]]) waiting for him, who implies the Fat Man's understanding is correct, but reminds him the diamond must be recovered eventually. Sir Charles pretends to cooperate, but is unable to hide his reaction when he recognizes a face on the museum's security footage. He avoids another plot by the Fat Man and his duplicitous underling Pepi ([[Graham Stark]]) and escapes from Lugash, secretly pursued by Sharki, who believes Sir Charles will lead him to the diamond.
Meanwhile, Sir Charles is teased about the theft by his wife, and realizes he has been framed. Arriving in Lugash to clear his name, Sir Charles barely avoids being murdered and sent to the Lugash secret police by his associate known as the "Fat Man" ([[Eric Pohlmann|Eric Pohlmann]]), who explains that with the leading suspect dead, the secret police will no longer have an excuse to continue purging their political enemies. Escaping to his suite, Litton finds secret police Colonel Sharki ([[Peter Arne|Peter Arne]]) waiting for him, who implies the Fat Man's understanding is correct, but reminds him the diamond must be recovered eventually. Sir Charles pretends to cooperate, but is unable to hide his reaction when he recognizes a face on the museum's security footage. He avoids another plot by the Fat Man and his duplicitous underling Pepi ([[Graham Stark]]) and escapes from Lugash, secretly pursued by Sharki, who believes Sir Charles will lead him to the diamond.


In [[w:Gstaad|Gstaad]], Clouseau, still tailing Lady Claudine, is suddenly ordered by Dreyfus over the telephone to arrest her in her hotel room. However, when Clouseau calls back to clarify the order, he is told that Dreyfus is on vacation. Sir Charles, who in the meantime has chartered a private flight out of Lugash, arrives at the hotel and is first to confront his wife. Lady Claudine admits she stole the jewel to spark excitement in their lives. Colonel Sharki shows up, but just as he prepares to kill them both, Inspector Clouseau barges in. Sir Charles explains things to Clouseau, and Sharki is about to kill the three of them. However, Dreyfus has followed Clouseau and is outside the hotel room with a rifle — Dreyfus is in fact the "mysterious assassin" who has been trying to kill Clouseau all this time —  and just as Dreyfus shoots at Clouseau, the Inspector ducks to check if his fly is undone, and the shot kills Sharki instead. The other three take cover, while Dreyfus, insanely enraged by his latest failure to kill Clouseau, goes berserk until he is arrested.
In [[Gstaad|Gstaad]], Clouseau, still tailing Lady Claudine, is suddenly ordered by Dreyfus over the telephone to arrest her in her hotel room. However, when Clouseau calls back to clarify the order, he is told that Dreyfus is on vacation. Sir Charles, who in the meantime has chartered a private flight out of Lugash, arrives at the hotel and is first to confront his wife. Lady Claudine admits she stole the jewel to spark excitement in their lives. Colonel Sharki shows up, but just as he prepares to kill them both, Inspector Clouseau barges in. Sir Charles explains things to Clouseau, and Sharki is about to kill the three of them. However, Dreyfus has followed Clouseau and is outside the hotel room with a rifle — Dreyfus is in fact the "mysterious assassin" who has been trying to kill Clouseau all this time —  and just as Dreyfus shoots at Clouseau, the Inspector ducks to check if his fly is undone, and the shot kills Sharki instead. The other three take cover, while Dreyfus, insanely enraged by his latest failure to kill Clouseau, goes berserk until he is arrested.


For once again recovering the Pink Panther, Clouseau is promoted to Chief Inspector, while Sir Charles resumes his career as a jewel thief. At a [[w:Japanese cuisine|Japanese restaurant]] in the epilogue, Cato unexpectedly attacks Clouseau again and triggers a massive brawl, destroying the premises. Dreyfus is committed to a lunatic asylum for his actions, where he is straitjacketed inside a padded cell and vows revenge on Clouseau. The film ends when the Pink Panther (in cartoon form) enters Dreyfus' cell and films him writing "The End" on the wall with his foot.
For once again recovering the Pink Panther, Clouseau is promoted to Chief Inspector, while Sir Charles resumes his career as a jewel thief. At a [[Japanese cuisine|Japanese restaurant]] in the epilogue, Cato unexpectedly attacks Clouseau again and triggers a massive brawl, destroying the premises. Dreyfus is committed to a lunatic asylum for his actions, where he is straitjacketed inside a padded cell and vows revenge on Clouseau. The film ends when the Pink Panther (in cartoon form) enters Dreyfus' cell and films him writing "The End" on the wall with his foot.


== Cast ==
== Cast ==
{{castlist|
{{castlist|
* [[Peter Sellers]] as [[Inspector Jacques Clouseau]]
* [[Peter Sellers]] as [[Inspector Clouseau|Inspector Jacques Clouseau]]
* [[w:Catherine Schell|Catherine Schell]] as Lady Claudine Litton
* [[Catherine Schell]] as Lady Claudine Litton
* [[w:Christopher Plummer]|] as Sir Charles Litton
* [[Christopher Plummer]] as Sir Charles Litton
* [[w:Peter Arne|Peter Arne]] as Colonel Sharki
* [[Peter Arne]] as Colonel Sharki
* [[w:Herbert Lom|Herbert Lom]] as Chief Inspector Charles Dreyfus
* [[Herbert Lom]] as Chief Inspector Charles Dreyfus
* [[w:André Maranne|André Maranne]] as François
* [[André Maranne]] as François
* [[w:Grégoire Aslan|Grégoire Aslan]] as Chief of Lugash Police
* [[Grégoire Aslan]] as Chief of Lugash Police
* [[David Lodge (actor)|David Lodge]] as Mac
* [[David Lodge (actor)|David Lodge]] as Mac
* [[Burt Kwouk]] as Cato Fong
* [[Burt Kwouk]] as Cato Fong
* [[Graham Stark]] as Pepi
* [[Graham Stark]] as Pepi
* [[Mike Grady (actor)|Mike Grady]] as Bell Boy
* [[Mike Grady (actor)|Mike Grady]] as Bell Boy
* [[w:Peter Jeffrey|Peter Jeffrey]] as General Wadafi
* [[Peter Jeffrey]] as General Wadafi
* [[w:Eric Pohlmann|Eric Pohlmann]] as The Fat Man  
* [[Eric Pohlmann]] as The Fat Man  
* [[Victor Spinetti]] as Hotel Concierge
* [[Victor Spinetti]] as Hotel Concierge
* [[John Bluthal]] as Blind Beggar
* [[John Bluthal]] as Blind Beggar
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== Production ==
== Production ==
In the early 1970s, Blake Edwards wrote a 15-20 page outline for another ''Pink Panther'' film and presented it to series producer [[w:Walter Mirisch|Walter Mirisch]]. The producer loved the idea, but the franchise's distributor and main backer, [[w:United Artists|United Artists]], rejected the film as they had no interest in working with Edwards or Peter Sellers, whose careers had declined.<ref name="walter"/>
In the early 1970s, Blake Edwards wrote a 15-20 page outline for another ''Pink Panther'' film and presented it to series producer [[Walter Mirisch|Walter Mirisch]]. The producer loved the idea, but the franchise's distributor and main backer, [[United Artists|United Artists]], rejected the film as they had no interest in working with Edwards or Peter Sellers, whose careers had declined.<ref name="walter"/>


British producer [[w:Lew Grade|Lew Grade]] agreed to finance two films for Blake Edwards as part of a deal to get Edwards' wife, [[w:Julie Andrews|Julie Andrews]], to appear in a TV special for him. The first movie was ''[[w:The Tamarind Seed|The Tamarind Seed]]''. Edwards wanted to make a project set in Canada called ''Rachel and the Stranger,'' but Grade disliked the idea and offered to buy Edwards out of the second commitment. Edwards wanted to make a second movie, however; in order to help restore his tainted reputation in Hollywood. Grade said he then suggested making a new Pink Panther film and Edwards agreed, if Sellers would also agree to do it. Grade managed to talk Sellers into it and the project was on.<ref name="grade">Lew Grade, ''Still Dancing: My Story'', William Collins & Sons 1987 p 227-228</ref> UA agreed to give ''The Return of the Pink Panther'' to Grade in exchange for world distribution and a share of the profits;<ref name="walter">Mirisch, Walter (2008). ''I Thought We Were Making Movies, Not History'' (pp. 170-171). [[w:University of Wisconsin Press|]], [[w:Madison, Wisconsin|]]. {{ISBN|0-299-22640-9}}.</ref> thereafter, Grade's company would permanently own worldwide rights to the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.h2g2.com/edited_entry/A87752019|title=h2g2 - 'The Return of the Pink Panther' - the Film - Edited Entry|first=Not Panicking|last=Ltd|website=www.h2g2.com}}</ref> Grade said that Eric Pleskow of United Artists was offered the chance to come into the movie as a partner but declined, thinking the movie would be a financial failure; he only wanted UA to distribute.<ref name="grade"/>
British producer [[Lew Grade|Lew Grade]] agreed to finance two films for Blake Edwards as part of a deal to get Edwards' wife, [[Julie Andrews|Julie Andrews]], to appear in a TV special for him. The first movie was ''[[The Tamarind Seed|The Tamarind Seed]]''. Edwards wanted to make a project set in Canada called ''Rachel and the Stranger,'' but Grade disliked the idea and offered to buy Edwards out of the second commitment. Edwards wanted to make a second movie, however; in order to help restore his tainted reputation in Hollywood. Grade said he then suggested making a new Pink Panther film and Edwards agreed, if Sellers would also agree to do it. Grade managed to talk Sellers into it and the project was on.<ref name="grade">Lew Grade, ''Still Dancing: My Story'', William Collins & Sons 1987 p 227-228</ref> UA agreed to give ''The Return of the Pink Panther'' to Grade in exchange for world distribution and a share of the profits;<ref name="walter">Mirisch, Walter (2008). ''I Thought We Were Making Movies, Not History'' (pp. 170-171). [[University of Wisconsin Press|]], [[Madison, Wisconsin|]]. {{ISBN|0-299-22640-9}}.</ref> thereafter, Grade's company would permanently own worldwide rights to the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.h2g2.com/edited_entry/A87752019|title=h2g2 - 'The Return of the Pink Panther' - the Film - Edited Entry|first=Not Panicking|last=Ltd|website=www.h2g2.com}}</ref> Grade said that Eric Pleskow of United Artists was offered the chance to come into the movie as a partner but declined, thinking the movie would be a financial failure; he only wanted UA to distribute.<ref name="grade"/>


[[w:Richard Williams (animator)|Richard Williams]], later the [[w:animation director|animation director]] on ''[[w:Who Framed Roger Rabbit|Who Framed Roger Rabbit]]'', did the animated open and closing titles for this picture and ''[[The Pink Panther Strikes Again]]'', due to [[w:DePatie–Freleng Enterprises|DePatie–Freleng]]'s work on the ''Pink Panther'' shorts and other cartoon projects for TV and film. Williams got help animating this from two noted animators, [[w:Ken Harris|Ken Harris]] and [[w:Art Babbitt|Art Babbitt]].
[[Richard Williams (animator)|Richard Williams]], later the [[animation director|animation director]] on ''[[Who Framed Roger Rabbit|Who Framed Roger Rabbit]]'', did the animated open and closing titles for this picture and ''[[The Pink Panther Strikes Again]]'', due to [[DePatie–Freleng Enterprises|DePatie–Freleng]]'s work on the ''Pink Panther'' shorts and other cartoon projects for TV and film. Williams got help animating this from two noted animators, [[Ken Harris|Ken Harris]] and [[Art Babbitt|Art Babbitt]].


[[Carol Cleveland]], best known for her regular appearances on ''[[Monty Python's Flying Circus]]'', has a small part as a swimming pool diver.
[[Carol Cleveland]], best known for her regular appearances on ''[[Monty Python's Flying Circus]]'', has a small part as a swimming pool diver.


A [[w:soundtrack album|soundtrack album]], featuring [[w:Henry Mancini|Henry Mancini]]'s score for the film, was released by [[w:RCA Records|RCA Records]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Henry-Mancini-Blake-Edwards-The-Return-Of-The-Pink-Panther/release/7329460|title = Henry Mancini – Blake Edwards' the Return of the Pink Panther (1975, Vinyl)|website = [[w:Discogs|]]}}</ref> A novelization, written by the film's co-writer, Frank Waldman, was belatedly published by [[w:Ballantine Books|Ballantine Books]] in March 1977 ({{ISBN|0345251237}}).
A [[soundtrack album|soundtrack album]], featuring [[Henry Mancini|Henry Mancini]]'s score for the film, was released by [[RCA Records|RCA Records]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Henry-Mancini-Blake-Edwards-The-Return-Of-The-Pink-Panther/release/7329460|title = Henry Mancini – Blake Edwards' the Return of the Pink Panther (1975, Vinyl)|website = [[Discogs|]]}}</ref> A novelization, written by the film's co-writer, Frank Waldman, was belatedly published by [[Ballantine Books|Ballantine Books]] in March 1977 ({{ISBN|0345251237}}).


==Reception==
==Reception==
=== Critical reception ===
=== Critical reception ===
In ''[[w:The New York Times|The New York Times]]'', [[w:Vincent Canby|Vincent Canby]] gave the film a positive review, writing, "Clouseau is the very special slapstick triumph of Mr. Sellers and Mr. Edwards."<ref>{{cite journal |last=Canby |first=Vincent |author-link=Vincent Canby |date=May 22, 1975 |title=Distraction Stalks Inspector Clouseau |url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9804E3D9113FE53BBC4A51DFB366838E669EDE |journal=[[w:The New York Times|]] |page=32 }}</ref> ''[[w:Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' called it "another very funny film about the eternal gumshoe bungler, Inspector Clouseau. 'The Return of the Pink Panther' is in many ways a time capsule film, full of brilliant sight gags and comedic innocence."<ref>{{cite journal |date=May 14, 1975 |title=The Return of the Pink Panther |journal=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |page=26 }}</ref> [[w:Gene Siskel|Gene Siskel]] of the ''[[w:Chicago Tribune|Chicago Tribune]]'' gave the film 2 stars out of 4, finding Sellers' first scene funny but for the rest of the movie, "we not only know when each and every joke is coming; we know exactly what that joke will be."<ref>[[w:Gene Siskel|Siskel, Gene]] (June 16, 1975). "That familiar, zany inspector overstays visit". ''[[w:Chicago Tribune|]]''. Section 3, p. 6.</ref> [[w:Charles Champlin|Charles Champlin]] of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' wrote that the film was "I think, not up to what went before. Its calculations show and the inspector is somehow too entirely the buffoon, lacking a redeeming pathos I seem to remember from the earlier outings. But in its vigorous and bulls-eye way 'The Return of the Pink Panther' is a cheerful escape from all the things that ail us."<ref>[[w:Charles Champlin|Champlin, Charles]] (May 20, 1975). "Sellers Back in 'Panther'". ''[[w:Los Angeles Times|]]''. Part IV, p. 1.</ref> Gary Arnold of ''[[w:The Washington Post|The Washington Post]]'' called it "a frequently hilarious and generally satisfying return to comic form on the part of Peter Sellers, recreating the role of the hapless but dogged French sleuth."<ref>{{cite journal |last=Arnold |first=Gary |date=May 21, 1975 |title=Welcome 'Return of The Pink Panther' |journal=[[w:The Washington Post|]] |page=B1 }}</ref> [[w:Penelope Gilliatt|Penelope Gilliatt]] of ''[[w:The New Yorker|The New Yorker]]'' wrote that Sellers was "working here at his best."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Gilliatt |first=Penelope |author-link=Penelope Gilliatt |date=June 2, 1975 |title=The Current Cinema |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |page=92 }}</ref>
In ''[[The New York Times|The New York Times]]'', [[Vincent Canby|Vincent Canby]] gave the film a positive review, writing, "Clouseau is the very special slapstick triumph of Mr. Sellers and Mr. Edwards."<ref>{{cite journal |last=Canby |first=Vincent |author-link=Vincent Canby |date=May 22, 1975 |title=Distraction Stalks Inspector Clouseau |url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9804E3D9113FE53BBC4A51DFB366838E669EDE |journal=[[The New York Times|]] |page=32 }}</ref> ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' called it "another very funny film about the eternal gumshoe bungler, Inspector Clouseau. 'The Return of the Pink Panther' is in many ways a time capsule film, full of brilliant sight gags and comedic innocence."<ref>{{cite journal |date=May 14, 1975 |title=The Return of the Pink Panther |journal=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |page=26 }}</ref> [[Gene Siskel|Gene Siskel]] of the ''[[Chicago Tribune|Chicago Tribune]]'' gave the film 2 stars out of 4, finding Sellers' first scene funny but for the rest of the movie, "we not only know when each and every joke is coming; we know exactly what that joke will be."<ref>[[Gene Siskel|Siskel, Gene]] (June 16, 1975). "That familiar, zany inspector overstays visit". ''[[Chicago Tribune|]]''. Section 3, p. 6.</ref> [[Charles Champlin|Charles Champlin]] of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' wrote that the film was "I think, not up to what went before. Its calculations show and the inspector is somehow too entirely the buffoon, lacking a redeeming pathos I seem to remember from the earlier outings. But in its vigorous and bulls-eye way 'The Return of the Pink Panther' is a cheerful escape from all the things that ail us."<ref>[[Charles Champlin|Champlin, Charles]] (May 20, 1975). "Sellers Back in 'Panther'". ''[[Los Angeles Times|]]''. Part IV, p. 1.</ref> Gary Arnold of ''[[The Washington Post|The Washington Post]]'' called it "a frequently hilarious and generally satisfying return to comic form on the part of Peter Sellers, recreating the role of the hapless but dogged French sleuth."<ref>{{cite journal |last=Arnold |first=Gary |date=May 21, 1975 |title=Welcome 'Return of The Pink Panther' |journal=[[The Washington Post|]] |page=B1 }}</ref> [[Penelope Gilliatt|Penelope Gilliatt]] of ''[[The New Yorker|The New Yorker]]'' wrote that Sellers was "working here at his best."<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Gilliatt |first=Penelope |author-link=Penelope Gilliatt |date=June 2, 1975 |title=The Current Cinema |magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |page=92 }}</ref>


The film holds a score of 84% on [[w:Rotten Tomatoes|Rotten Tomatoes]] based on 19 reviews, with an average rating of 6.7 out of 10.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Return of the Pink Panther |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/return_of_the_pink_panther/ |access-date=March 18, 2022 |website=[[w:Rotten Tomatoes|]]}}</ref>
The film holds a score of 84% on [[Rotten Tomatoes|Rotten Tomatoes]] based on 19 reviews, with an average rating of 6.7 out of 10.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Return of the Pink Panther |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/return_of_the_pink_panther/ |access-date=March 18, 2022 |website=[[Rotten Tomatoes|]]}}</ref>


===Box office===
===Box office===
The film grossed $41.8 million in the United States and Canada and $75 million worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3899491841/|publisher=[[w:Box Office Mojo|]]|title=The Return of the Pink Panther, Box Office Information|access-date=22 January 2012}}</ref><ref name=ww/>
The film grossed $41.8 million in the United States and Canada and $75 million worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3899491841/|publisher=[[Box Office Mojo|]]|title=The Return of the Pink Panther, Box Office Information|access-date=22 January 2012}}</ref><ref name=ww/>


== Home media release ==
== Home media release ==
The film had been released on VHS, Betamax, [[w:Capacitance Electronic Disc|CED]] and Laserdisc in the 1980s by [[w:Magnetic Video|Magnetic Video]], [[w:CBS/Fox Video|CBS/Fox Video]], and [[w:J2 Communications|J2 Communications]] respectively.
The film had been released on VHS, Betamax, [[Capacitance Electronic Disc|CED]] and Laserdisc in the 1980s by [[Magnetic Video|Magnetic Video]], [[CBS/Fox Video|CBS/Fox Video]], and [[J2 Communications|J2 Communications]] respectively.


In 1993 and 1996, [[w:Artisan Entertainment|LIVE Home Video]] under the Family Home Entertainment label re-released the film on VHS as part of the Family Home Entertainment Theater lineup and on a Widescreen Laserdisc. In 1999, [[w:Artisan Entertainment|Artisan Entertainment]] (LIVE's successor) re-released the film on VHS and debuting on DVD for the first time in the original widescreen format. The only bonus material seen on this release were cast filmographies, production notes and the film's original theatrical trailer.
In 1993 and 1996, [[Artisan Entertainment|LIVE Home Video]] under the Family Home Entertainment label re-released the film on VHS as part of the Family Home Entertainment Theater lineup and on a Widescreen Laserdisc. In 1999, [[Artisan Entertainment|Artisan Entertainment]] (LIVE's successor) re-released the film on VHS and debuting on DVD for the first time in the original widescreen format. The only bonus material seen on this release were cast filmographies, production notes and the film's original theatrical trailer.


In 2006, rights holder Granada (owners of the ITC catalog) sub licensed the film to [[w:Universal Pictures Home Entertainment|Universal Studios Home Entertainment]] under [[w:Focus Features|Focus Features]] for distribution in the US and UK, with a new, bare-bones release featuring an anamorphic widescreen transfer being released in 2006 by Universal in both territories. In 2015, the 2006 UK DVD was reissued by Fabulous Films still under licence from Universal and ITV Studios (who acquired Granada and the ITC library), followed by a UK Blu-ray release by Fabulous in 2016.
In 2006, rights holder Granada (owners of the ITC catalog) sub licensed the film to [[Universal Pictures Home Entertainment|Universal Studios Home Entertainment]] under [[Focus Features|Focus Features]] for distribution in the US and UK, with a new, bare-bones release featuring an anamorphic widescreen transfer being released in 2006 by Universal in both territories. In 2015, the 2006 UK DVD was reissued by Fabulous Films still under licence from Universal and ITV Studios (who acquired Granada and the ITC library), followed by a UK Blu-ray release by Fabulous in 2016.


As [[w:Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer|Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]] has since acquired US theatrical rights, along with worldwide television and digital distribution rights,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hometheaterforum.com/community/posts/4260687/|title=Official KINO Insider Announcements Thread: STRICTLY MODERATED: READ GUIDELINES}}</ref> Universal/Focus and ITV still have all remaining worldwide rights for the film.  Due to its licensing output deals with both MGM and Universal, [[w:Shout! Factory|Shout! Factory]] included this film, along with the other Peter Sellers Pink Panther films, as part of a 6-disc set for the first time on Blu-ray under their Shout! Select label.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Shout_Factory/Disc_Announcements/blake-edwards-the-pink-panther-film-collection-bluray-announced/37689 |title=Blake Edwards' 'The Pink Panther Film Collection' Blu-ray Announced |date=6 January 2017 |website=highdefdigest.com}}</ref> The set was released on June 27, 2017, thus making it the first ''Pink Panther'' film collection to include the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Pink-Panther-Film-Collection-Blu-ray/171621/|title=The Pink Panther Film Collection Blu-ray}}</ref> Ironically, Universal was also responsible for MGM/[[w:United Artists Releasing|UAR]] film releases both in physical home media and international theatrical distribution rights.
As [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer|Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]] has since acquired US theatrical rights, along with worldwide television and digital distribution rights,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hometheaterforum.com/community/posts/4260687/|title=Official KINO Insider Announcements Thread: STRICTLY MODERATED: READ GUIDELINES}}</ref> Universal/Focus and ITV still have all remaining worldwide rights for the film.  Due to its licensing output deals with both MGM and Universal, [[Shout! Factory|Shout! Factory]] included this film, along with the other Peter Sellers Pink Panther films, as part of a 6-disc set for the first time on Blu-ray under their Shout! Select label.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Shout_Factory/Disc_Announcements/blake-edwards-the-pink-panther-film-collection-bluray-announced/37689 |title=Blake Edwards' 'The Pink Panther Film Collection' Blu-ray Announced |date=6 January 2017 |website=highdefdigest.com}}</ref> The set was released on June 27, 2017, thus making it the first ''Pink Panther'' film collection to include the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-Pink-Panther-Film-Collection-Blu-ray/171621/|title=The Pink Panther Film Collection Blu-ray}}</ref> Ironically, Universal was also responsible for MGM/[[United Artists Releasing|UAR]] film releases both in physical home media and international theatrical distribution rights.


== References ==
== References ==

Latest revision as of 16:04, 20 February 2023

The Return of the Pink Panther
The Return of the Pink Panther poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed byBlake Edwards
Written byBlake Edwards
Frank Waldman
Produced byBlake Edwards
Animation:
Richard Williams
Ken Harris
StarringPeter Sellers
Christopher Plummer
Catherine Schell
Herbert Lom
CinematographyGeoffrey Unsworth
Edited byTom Priestly
Music byHenry Mancini
Production
companies
ITC Entertainment
Jewel Productions
Pimlico Films
Mirisch-Geoffrey
Distributed byUnited Artists
Release date
  • 21 May 1975 (1975-05-21)
Running time
114 minutes
CountriesUnited Kingdom
United States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$5 million
Box office$75 million[1]

The Return of the Pink Panther is a 1975 comedy film and the fourth film in The Pink Panther series. The film stars Peter Sellers returning to the role of Inspector Clouseau for the first time since A Shot in the Dark (1964), after having declined to reprise the role in Inspector Clouseau (1968). The film was a commercial hit and revived the previously dormant series and with it Peter Sellers' career.

Herbert Lom reprises his role as Chief Inspector Charles Dreyfus from A Shot in the Dark; he remained a regular thereafter. The character of Sir Charles Litton, the notorious Phantom, is played by Christopher Plummer. David Niven, who played the part in The Pink Panther (1963), was unavailable. The Pink Panther diamond once again plays a central role in the plot.

Plot

In the fictional country of Lugash, a mysterious thief seizes the Pink Panther diamond and leaves a white glove embroidered with a gold "P". With its national treasure once again missing, the Shah of Lugash requests the assistance of Inspector Clouseau (Peter Sellers) of the Sûreté, as Clouseau had recovered the diamond the last time it was stolen (in The Pink Panther). Clouseau has been temporarily demoted to beat cop by his boss, Chief Inspector Charles Dreyfus (Herbert Lom), who despises him to the point of obsession, but the French government forces Dreyfus to reinstate him. Clouseau joyously receives the news and duly departs for Lugash, but not before fending off a surprise attack from his servant Cato (Burt Kwouk), who had been ordered to do so to keep the Inspector on his toes.

Upon examining the crime scene in the national museum — in which, due to his habitual clumsiness, he wrecks several priceless antiques — Clouseau concludes that the glove implicates Sir Charles Litton (Christopher Plummer), alias "the notorious Phantom," as the thief. After several catastrophic failures to stake out Litton Manor in Nice, Clouseau believes a mysterious assassin is attempting to kill him. He follows Sir Charles' wife, Lady Claudine Litton (Catherine Schell), to the Gstaad Palace hotel in Switzerland in search of clues to her husband's whereabouts, and repeatedly bungles the investigation.

Meanwhile, Sir Charles is teased about the theft by his wife, and realizes he has been framed. Arriving in Lugash to clear his name, Sir Charles barely avoids being murdered and sent to the Lugash secret police by his associate known as the "Fat Man" (Eric Pohlmann), who explains that with the leading suspect dead, the secret police will no longer have an excuse to continue purging their political enemies. Escaping to his suite, Litton finds secret police Colonel Sharki (Peter Arne) waiting for him, who implies the Fat Man's understanding is correct, but reminds him the diamond must be recovered eventually. Sir Charles pretends to cooperate, but is unable to hide his reaction when he recognizes a face on the museum's security footage. He avoids another plot by the Fat Man and his duplicitous underling Pepi (Graham Stark) and escapes from Lugash, secretly pursued by Sharki, who believes Sir Charles will lead him to the diamond.

In Gstaad, Clouseau, still tailing Lady Claudine, is suddenly ordered by Dreyfus over the telephone to arrest her in her hotel room. However, when Clouseau calls back to clarify the order, he is told that Dreyfus is on vacation. Sir Charles, who in the meantime has chartered a private flight out of Lugash, arrives at the hotel and is first to confront his wife. Lady Claudine admits she stole the jewel to spark excitement in their lives. Colonel Sharki shows up, but just as he prepares to kill them both, Inspector Clouseau barges in. Sir Charles explains things to Clouseau, and Sharki is about to kill the three of them. However, Dreyfus has followed Clouseau and is outside the hotel room with a rifle — Dreyfus is in fact the "mysterious assassin" who has been trying to kill Clouseau all this time — and just as Dreyfus shoots at Clouseau, the Inspector ducks to check if his fly is undone, and the shot kills Sharki instead. The other three take cover, while Dreyfus, insanely enraged by his latest failure to kill Clouseau, goes berserk until he is arrested.

For once again recovering the Pink Panther, Clouseau is promoted to Chief Inspector, while Sir Charles resumes his career as a jewel thief. At a Japanese restaurant in the epilogue, Cato unexpectedly attacks Clouseau again and triggers a massive brawl, destroying the premises. Dreyfus is committed to a lunatic asylum for his actions, where he is straitjacketed inside a padded cell and vows revenge on Clouseau. The film ends when the Pink Panther (in cartoon form) enters Dreyfus' cell and films him writing "The End" on the wall with his foot.

Cast

Production

In the early 1970s, Blake Edwards wrote a 15-20 page outline for another Pink Panther film and presented it to series producer Walter Mirisch. The producer loved the idea, but the franchise's distributor and main backer, United Artists, rejected the film as they had no interest in working with Edwards or Peter Sellers, whose careers had declined.[2]

British producer Lew Grade agreed to finance two films for Blake Edwards as part of a deal to get Edwards' wife, Julie Andrews, to appear in a TV special for him. The first movie was The Tamarind Seed. Edwards wanted to make a project set in Canada called Rachel and the Stranger, but Grade disliked the idea and offered to buy Edwards out of the second commitment. Edwards wanted to make a second movie, however; in order to help restore his tainted reputation in Hollywood. Grade said he then suggested making a new Pink Panther film and Edwards agreed, if Sellers would also agree to do it. Grade managed to talk Sellers into it and the project was on.[3] UA agreed to give The Return of the Pink Panther to Grade in exchange for world distribution and a share of the profits;[2] thereafter, Grade's company would permanently own worldwide rights to the film.[4] Grade said that Eric Pleskow of United Artists was offered the chance to come into the movie as a partner but declined, thinking the movie would be a financial failure; he only wanted UA to distribute.[3]

Richard Williams, later the animation director on Who Framed Roger Rabbit, did the animated open and closing titles for this picture and The Pink Panther Strikes Again, due to DePatie–Freleng's work on the Pink Panther shorts and other cartoon projects for TV and film. Williams got help animating this from two noted animators, Ken Harris and Art Babbitt.

Carol Cleveland, best known for her regular appearances on Monty Python's Flying Circus, has a small part as a swimming pool diver.

A soundtrack album, featuring Henry Mancini's score for the film, was released by RCA Records.[5] A novelization, written by the film's co-writer, Frank Waldman, was belatedly published by Ballantine Books in March 1977 (ISBN 0345251237).

Reception

Critical reception

In The New York Times, Vincent Canby gave the film a positive review, writing, "Clouseau is the very special slapstick triumph of Mr. Sellers and Mr. Edwards."[6] Variety called it "another very funny film about the eternal gumshoe bungler, Inspector Clouseau. 'The Return of the Pink Panther' is in many ways a time capsule film, full of brilliant sight gags and comedic innocence."[7] Gene Siskel of the Chicago Tribune gave the film 2 stars out of 4, finding Sellers' first scene funny but for the rest of the movie, "we not only know when each and every joke is coming; we know exactly what that joke will be."[8] Charles Champlin of the Los Angeles Times wrote that the film was "I think, not up to what went before. Its calculations show and the inspector is somehow too entirely the buffoon, lacking a redeeming pathos I seem to remember from the earlier outings. But in its vigorous and bulls-eye way 'The Return of the Pink Panther' is a cheerful escape from all the things that ail us."[9] Gary Arnold of The Washington Post called it "a frequently hilarious and generally satisfying return to comic form on the part of Peter Sellers, recreating the role of the hapless but dogged French sleuth."[10] Penelope Gilliatt of The New Yorker wrote that Sellers was "working here at his best."[11]

The film holds a score of 84% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 19 reviews, with an average rating of 6.7 out of 10.[12]

Box office

The film grossed $41.8 million in the United States and Canada and $75 million worldwide.[13][1]

Home media release

The film had been released on VHS, Betamax, CED and Laserdisc in the 1980s by Magnetic Video, CBS/Fox Video, and J2 Communications respectively.

In 1993 and 1996, LIVE Home Video under the Family Home Entertainment label re-released the film on VHS as part of the Family Home Entertainment Theater lineup and on a Widescreen Laserdisc. In 1999, Artisan Entertainment (LIVE's successor) re-released the film on VHS and debuting on DVD for the first time in the original widescreen format. The only bonus material seen on this release were cast filmographies, production notes and the film's original theatrical trailer.

In 2006, rights holder Granada (owners of the ITC catalog) sub licensed the film to Universal Studios Home Entertainment under Focus Features for distribution in the US and UK, with a new, bare-bones release featuring an anamorphic widescreen transfer being released in 2006 by Universal in both territories. In 2015, the 2006 UK DVD was reissued by Fabulous Films still under licence from Universal and ITV Studios (who acquired Granada and the ITC library), followed by a UK Blu-ray release by Fabulous in 2016.

As Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer has since acquired US theatrical rights, along with worldwide television and digital distribution rights,[14] Universal/Focus and ITV still have all remaining worldwide rights for the film. Due to its licensing output deals with both MGM and Universal, Shout! Factory included this film, along with the other Peter Sellers Pink Panther films, as part of a 6-disc set for the first time on Blu-ray under their Shout! Select label.[15] The set was released on June 27, 2017, thus making it the first Pink Panther film collection to include the film.[16] Ironically, Universal was also responsible for MGM/UAR film releases both in physical home media and international theatrical distribution rights.

References

  1. ^ a b "The Pink Panther Strikes Again (advertisement)". Variety. December 22, 1976. p. 9.
  2. ^ a b Mirisch, Walter (2008). I Thought We Were Making Movies, Not History (pp. 170-171). [[University of Wisconsin Press|]], [[Madison, Wisconsin|]]. ISBN 0-299-22640-9.
  3. ^ a b Lew Grade, Still Dancing: My Story, William Collins & Sons 1987 p 227-228
  4. ^ Ltd, Not Panicking. "h2g2 - 'The Return of the Pink Panther' - the Film - Edited Entry". www.h2g2.com.
  5. ^ "Henry Mancini – Blake Edwards' the Return of the Pink Panther (1975, Vinyl)". [[Discogs|]].
  6. ^ Canby, Vincent (May 22, 1975). "Distraction Stalks Inspector Clouseau". [[The New York Times|]]: 32.
  7. ^ "The Return of the Pink Panther". Variety: 26. May 14, 1975.
  8. ^ Siskel, Gene (June 16, 1975). "That familiar, zany inspector overstays visit". [[Chicago Tribune|]]. Section 3, p. 6.
  9. ^ Champlin, Charles (May 20, 1975). "Sellers Back in 'Panther'". [[Los Angeles Times|]]. Part IV, p. 1.
  10. ^ Arnold, Gary (May 21, 1975). "Welcome 'Return of The Pink Panther'". [[The Washington Post|]]: B1.
  11. ^ Gilliatt, Penelope (June 2, 1975). "The Current Cinema". The New Yorker. p. 92.
  12. ^ "The Return of the Pink Panther". [[Rotten Tomatoes|]]. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  13. ^ "The Return of the Pink Panther, Box Office Information". [[Box Office Mojo|]]. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  14. ^ "Official KINO Insider Announcements Thread: STRICTLY MODERATED: READ GUIDELINES".
  15. ^ "Blake Edwards' 'The Pink Panther Film Collection' Blu-ray Announced". highdefdigest.com. 6 January 2017.
  16. ^ "The Pink Panther Film Collection Blu-ray".

External links