The Return of the Pink Panther

This was one of the most boring films i have ever seen. There was onlyfiveor six things that made me laugh and i had to stop the tape a few timesbecause i was falling asleep. This was not a funny "belly-laughs"guaranteedmovie. It was a big bore. This whole series isn’t even thatgreat.

The upcoming release of the "Pink Panther" remake brings to mind theoriginal series, including this one. When the famous diamond getsstolen for a second time, Insp. Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers) getsput on the case, and I shouldn’t have to tell you what sorts of thingshe does, especially since this movie turns him into an even biggerdoofus than previously. As Sir Charles Litton, Christopher Plummer doesapproximately as good a job as David Niven did. But the movie is allabout Clouseau. One can only imagine how the people behind the cameramust have cracked up watching him do these things. "The Return of thePink Panther" is a comedy classic. Oh, and there’s also that scene inthe bedroom! Hah!

This film is very funny, though certainly not as funny or magical asthe previous film, A SHOT IN THE DARK. A decade has past since the lastfilm and the chemistry isn't quite as good. Plus, instead of DavidNiven, the same character is now played by Christopher Plummer. While Ilike Mr. Plummer as an actor, I can't understand why they just didn'twrite an all new character instead of doing this.

Oh well. Clouseau is out to capture Sir Charles Litton once and forall–ending a 12 year chase to apprehend him for jewel thefts. To doso, he spends most of the movie dressed in weird costumes trying toinfiltrate Litton's home and "get the goods on him". There are a lot ofcrazy stunts and situations–perhaps too many, as the film occasionallygets too weird and loses its focus.

The best part of this and the next two films is the performance byHerbert Lom as Chief Inspector Dreyfus. His MANY attempts to killClouseau are like a cartoon come to life. And, considering how annoyingand stupid Clouseau is, you really can't blame him!

Of all the Pink Panther films, as as I can remember this is probably myfavourite. Basically the Pink Panther diamond is stolen (again), and(again) French detective Inspector Jacques Clouseua (Golden Globenominated Peter Sellers) is assigned to find it. It is not just Sellersthat is good, but also his Chinese assistant Cato (Burt Kwouk) fightingwith him. As Clouseau searches for the diamond he makes the chief goinsane and eventually he becomes the villain, in the sequel. There aremany memorable moments with Sellers, and his accent is just terrific.If your looking for slapstick and a good theme tune, then see this. Itwas nominated the Golden Globes for Best Motion Picture -Musical/Comedy and Best Original Score for Henry Mancini. Peter Sellerswas number 57 on The 100 Greatest Movie Stars, he was number 22 on The50 Greatest British Actors, he was number 7 on Britain's Finest Actors,and he was number 24 on The World's Greatest Actor. Good!

Spoilers herein.

How dreadful this is. Dreadful writing. Dreadful acting and productionvalues. Even racist comments. The only reason one might watch this isbecause it has Peter Sellers in it. His comic awareness greatly exceeds thatof the director. And although most jokes are repeated, often many times, heis joy to watch.

His timing is perfect, and that is because he invented large parts of thefilm comedy vocabulary — that part where the actor is performing the jokebut is not wholly in it, yet also not part of the community ofviewers.

Peter Seller's returns as the comically bumbling Inspector Closeau,This time the Pink Panther Diamond has been stolen(Again) from theLugash Museum, The superior's from the police in The Fictitous Arabcapital recommend Clouseu retrieve the Diamond, which is easier saidthan, done! Herbert Lom returns as Seller's superior Complete withnervous twitch! who is slowly at breaking point! The pair share manyhilarious scene's together, Particuraly a scene with Lom and his'Novelty Cigarette lighter!

Christopher Plummer,plays Sir Charles Lytton, A 'Retired' Jewel Thiefwho nabbed the precious stone in the first classic, is implicated in ablack mail,which take's plummer from the beautiful south of France tothe fictitious Lugash,And the gorgeous swiss resort of Gstaad, Thebeautiful Catherine Schell, plays Lady Lytton Who may or may not beinvolved, with the larceny,

Meanwhile France's favorite Detective is hot on their trail, Whichsee's seller's Destroy almost everything in his wake! Many familiarface's crop up in this classic,Especially Victor Spinetti, has a smallbut memorable role as an obnoxious Concierge, Graham Stark, as a sleazywheeler dealer,

And last but not least Burt Kwouk, As Demented but loyal manservantCato, who excel's in keeping Seller's on his toe's, The pair fight eachother in slow motion A technique which Blake Edward's use's to greatand devastatingly funny effect!

'The Return Of The Pink Panther' Is essentially viewing for any comedyfan or Seller's aficionado,

it's also essential, to watch this in It's Widescreen Format, as someof the visual gag's are gone in the terrible pan and scan,print's mostTV station's still insist on showing!

A 10-year-absence for the series was resurrected in 1974 with "The Returnofthe Pink Panther". The jewel has been stolen once again and it is up totheclueless Peter Sellers to find those involved in the crime. Naturallyeverything goes on right under his nose. Christopher Plummer and thepriceless Herbert Lom are along for the ride this time, but this isSellers’show as usual. Fair. 2.5 out of 5 stars.

In Return of the Pink Panther, the third in the Pink Panther series,following A Shot in the Dark, the bumbling Inspector Clouseau is backfor more laughs, and must once again revive the Pink Panther gem, whichhas been stolen for the second time. Though not as memorable as thefirst one, The Return of the Pink Panther still has plenty of hilariousscenes, including Clouseau driving his boss insane, fighting hishouseboy Cato, and speaking with an indeterminable French accent. StarsPeter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau.

Grade: 7/10

MPAA Rating: G

My Rating: Ages 7 and up (comic violence)

Although not quite as good as its successors The Pink Panther StrikesAgain and Revenge Of The Pink Panther, this is still fantasticslapstick comedy. By this, the third film in the franchise, directorBlake Edwards knew exactly what his audience wanted, a roller-coasterof anarchy revolving around Peter Sellers and he delivers it in spades.

Consider for example Clouseau's initial brawl with Kato ("He used to doa bit of cooking but now he's taken to attacking me at anyopportunity") or his bumbling attempts to investigate Lady Litton'shotel room, or the madcap closing battle in a Japanese restaurant,every moment Sellers is on screen is a joy to behold. His good naturedbut ludicrously stupid antics are classic slapstick at its very bestand thankfully, unlike the original in the series, most of the filmcentres on him.

In fact the only factor preventing this movie from being the non-stoptour de force of riotous laughs its successors were, is there-appearance of Charles Litton and the introduction of his wife, LadyLitton. Now played by Christopher Plummer, Litton is supposed to beconsidered dashing, debonair and sophisticated in his role, butunfortunately he and his wife instead come across as a pair ofinsufferably smug gits afflicted with severe superiority disorders.Thankfully, they are afforded nowhere near as much screen time asClouseau is, but it wasn't until the following film where Litton waswritten out entirely that it became perfect.
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br>Nevertheless, this is still a hysterically funny film, though I'drecommend checking out both of its successors before watching this one.

The fabulously valuable diamond "The Pink Panther" has been stolen fromthe National Museum of Lugache, and Inspector Clouseau - who's beendemoted to being a street officer on patrol (and a bad one at that) -is returned to duty to recover it. I'm at a bit of a disadvantage intrying to review this movie, because I've never seen the original "PinkPanther" (or any of the other "Pink Panther" movies to be honest) andso have nothing to compare this to but can still say that it's quitefunny in places. Clouseau is probably Peter Sellers' most famouscharacter, and he plays the role effortlessly. The story - revolvingaround the theft of the diamond - isn't particularly engrossing, but inthis kind of movie the story is secondary anyway. It's Sellers, andClouseau's dealings with those around him - in particular ChiefInspector Dreyfus, who is eventually driven completely insane by thebumbling Clouseau, and who is played brilliantly by Herbert Lom - thatmake the movie. Sellers engages in physical comedy, offers somewonderful slapstick humour and, of course, his fake French accent anddisguises are worthy of chuckles all the way through. Donald Sutherlandas Charles Litton and Catherine Schell as Lady Charlene Litton offergood supporting performances. Schell herself seemed to be laughing allthe way through at Sellers' performance. I don't know if that wasintended or if she really had trouble not giggling at Seller'sperformance and director Blake Edwards simply chose to leave herresponses to Sellers in the movie. (The latter seems most likely.) Therepeated appearances by Clouseau's valet (if that's what he wassupposed to be) Cato (Burt Kwouk) became a bit tiresome after a while.

Some have told me that this is the funniest of the Pink Panther movies.If so, that's a bit disappointing in all honesty, because I didn't findthis to be anywhere near the funniest movie I've ever seen. It had mesmiling throughout and chuckling a few times but never really outrightlaughing, but still the generally sustained "funniness" makes this afun movie to watch. Without the original to compare it to, I'd stillgive this a 7/10.