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Review: Jack Foley
DVD EXTRAS: Documentary 'The Pink Panther Story'; 1978 special
'That's Panthertainment'; 'Behind The Feline: Cartoon Phenomenon'
featurette; 'The Unknown Peter Sellers' documentary; 'The Commercial
Peter Sellers' with making of; 8 page booklet;Photo gallery; Audio
commentary with Blake Edwards; Six of the best Pink Panther cartoons,
including the Oscar-winning 'The Pink Phink'.
WHEN Blake Edwards first made The Pink Panther, in 1963, the
film was conceived as a sly little crime caper, with David Niven
as the lead (or The Pink Panther in question), and Peter Sellers
playing a secondary role as the bumbling Inspector Clouseau.
The film itself was a neat little mix of Niven's suave diamond
thief, and Sellers' disaster-prone detective, which worked as
both a comedy and a thriller.
The original also starred the likes of Claudia Cardinale, Capucine
and Robert Wagner.
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Yet despite the best efforts of all concerned, it was Sellers
who stole the show, and subsequent Pink Panther movies were devised
as a showcase for the bumbling Clouseau - beginning with the hilariously
funny, A Shot in the Dark (the second film in the series), and
culminating in the inept and misguided Trail of the Pink Panther,
following Sellers' death, in 1982.
The DVD collection, while omitting one of the funnier movies
(The Return of the Pink Panther) and including the worst (the
last two), remains an essential purchase for any fans of the comic
genius of Sellers.
Whether it's haggling with a street salesman over whether he
has a licence for his monkey, or fighting with man-servant, Cato,
or even donning the many disguises that were to become a trademark,
the silliness is infectious and gets you right in the funny bone.
Sellers perfectly-timed mishaps and slapstick comedy have seldom
been bettered, and his Clouseau persona remains his most famous,
for all of the right reasons.
Coupled with this, is Henry Mancini's classic theme, as well
as a veritable treasure trove of features, from documentaries
on Sellers, himself, to commentary from director, Edwards, and
six of the best Pink Panther cartoons, which have entertained
children for decades.
Whether you have enjoyed the movies over countless Christmas
or holiday seasons, or have yet to sample the delights of an undisputed
comedy great, then this box set makes for essential viewing -
and you should waste no time in sleuthing its delights!!!
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