The Pink Panther

Although it sports a fair number of laughs, the 1964 first film in the long running Pink Panther series is the only entry not played entirely as slapstick. Jewel thief Sir Charles Lytton (David Niven) is after a priceless gem called the Pink Panther (so named due to its pink hue and a panther-shaped flaw in its heart) owned by Princess Dala (Claudia Cardinale). Hot on the trail is bumbling Inspector Clouseau (Peter Sellers), whose wife (Capucine) happens to be Sir Charles' mistress, supplying the latter with Clouseau's plans well in advance. A further wrinkle (and potential love interest) is supplied when Sir Charles' nephew (Robert Wagner) surprises his uncle with an unannounced appearance. Henry Mancini received an Academy Award nomination for his much-beloved score. Forty-plus years later, director Blake Edwards' The Pink Panther feels less like a comic masterpiece than an often amiable romp filmed in beautiful locations with an international cast putting in solid performances (the comic highlight is the long-running gag in which Clouseau's efforts to make whoopee with his wife are continually and creatively repulsed). Looking quite handsome on Blu-ray, previously available extras here include an audio commentary by Edwards, a retrospective “making-of” featurette (viewers will learn that Peter Ustinov was originally slated to play Clouseau), and a piece on the Pink Panther cartoon phenomenon. New extras include a trio of featurettes on Wagner, former jewel thief Bill Mason, and diamonds. Recommended. (R. Pitman)