The actor playing the thief "The Phantom" was a squadron commander in the WWII special forces unit Phantom Unit. His batman was Peter Ustinov who was intended in the Peter Sellers role.
In a brief scene we can see an extra who later became a PLO terrorist. He was the first to be assassinated by the Mossad during Operation Wrath of God. The killing is shown in the movie "Munich" starring one Daniel Craig.
Claudia Cardinale didn't speak English and had to be dubbed. She was also absolutely stunning! 🥰
The character of Sir Charles Lytton wasn't seen again until "The Return Of The Pink Panther" (1975) in which he was played by Christopher Plummer. Whether this was because David Niven was busy making a film called "Paper Tiger" or because at 65 he would have simply been too old for the part, which involved some Bond-style stunts, I don't know.
Niven did return as Sir Charles after Sellers' death in "Trail Of The Pink Panther" (1982) and "Curse Of The Pink Panther" (1983) in both of which despite high billing (top billing in the second) he played merely cameos- his health was poor and he died before the second film's release.
Sellers played Clouseau again in "A Shot In The Dark" (1964) but not in "Inspector Clouseau" (1968) where he was played by Alan Arkin- not very successfully. Sellers returned for "The Return Of The Pink Panther" (1975) which was a large success and the following two movies in the series ("Strikes Again" and "Revenge") before dying in 1980.
Blake Edwards cobbled together the above mentioned "Trail" using out-takes and clips, then tried a new lead in the above mentioned "Curse". These were not successful. Many years later, he tried again in "Son Of The Pink Panther" (1993), and again this was a failure. This meant the end of the series until the reboot starring Steve Martin.
It's disapointing and embarrasing, yes. I can assure everyone that the rumours that Higgins has me tied up in a cellar are malicious and completely untrue.
I have my blu-ray cued at the MGM lion. No doubt I will end up a few minutes behind European DVD viewers by the end, but never mind. 24 frames per second is how nature intended the film to be played.
I'm sure Barbel will comment on the music as the film unfolds. I personally enjoy the music very much. The main title theme is obviously iconic. There are also some other very nice tracks on the soundtrack LP...I personally enjoy 'The Village Inn', 'It Had Better Be Tonight' and 'Shades of Sennet'.
An iconic main title sequence. This came out approximately a year after Dr. No. I can't think of any other movies with main title sequences of such art and inventiveness before these films.
Comments
People, let‘s remember that everybody should load their BEFORE the 20:00 time.
So please fire up the players 10 minutes earlier, browse thru the menus and start the movie and pause
We will start at 20:00 sharp!
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
I can share some more trivia:
The actor playing the thief "The Phantom" was a squadron commander in the WWII special forces unit Phantom Unit. His batman was Peter Ustinov who was intended in the Peter Sellers role.
In a brief scene we can see an extra who later became a PLO terrorist. He was the first to be assassinated by the Mossad during Operation Wrath of God. The killing is shown in the movie "Munich" starring one Daniel Craig.
Claudia Cardinale didn't speak English and had to be dubbed. She was also absolutely stunning! 🥰
The character of Sir Charles Lytton wasn't seen again until "The Return Of The Pink Panther" (1975) in which he was played by Christopher Plummer. Whether this was because David Niven was busy making a film called "Paper Tiger" or because at 65 he would have simply been too old for the part, which involved some Bond-style stunts, I don't know.
Niven did return as Sir Charles after Sellers' death in "Trail Of The Pink Panther" (1982) and "Curse Of The Pink Panther" (1983) in both of which despite high billing (top billing in the second) he played merely cameos- his health was poor and he died before the second film's release.
Sellers played Clouseau again in "A Shot In The Dark" (1964) but not in "Inspector Clouseau" (1968) where he was played by Alan Arkin- not very successfully. Sellers returned for "The Return Of The Pink Panther" (1975) which was a large success and the following two movies in the series ("Strikes Again" and "Revenge") before dying in 1980.
Blake Edwards cobbled together the above mentioned "Trail" using out-takes and clips, then tried a new lead in the above mentioned "Curse". These were not successful. Many years later, he tried again in "Son Of The Pink Panther" (1993), and again this was a failure. This meant the end of the series until the reboot starring Steve Martin.
What!!!! 😯
15 minutes until we hit play!
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Good evening watchalongers...
Number24, shocked to hear that your copy of The Pink Panther has gone AWOL.
I'm tempted to suggest that you go hunting 'the trail of your pink panther' dvd but I won't say that because it would be unkind lol
It's disapointing and embarrasing, yes. I can assure everyone that the rumours that Higgins has me tied up in a cellar are malicious and completely untrue.
So, your asking me for ropes and duct tape was completely unconnected, Higgins?
Absolutely NOT!
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
10 minutes to go. Gentlemen, get your players started and pause right before the MGM lion.
We hit the play button at 20:00 sharp
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Barbel, what‘s your opinion about the music?
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Before the MGM lion it is. Add a cheroot and there's another big cat that could have had its own spin-off TV show...
5 minutes!
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
I have my blu-ray cued at the MGM lion. No doubt I will end up a few minutes behind European DVD viewers by the end, but never mind. 24 frames per second is how nature intended the film to be played.
It's wonderful, particularly the main theme.
please fire up your players and browse thru the menus.
Pause right before the MGM lion.
We hit play at 20:00 sharp!
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
3 minutes!
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
2 minutes!
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
I'm sure Barbel will comment on the music as the film unfolds. I personally enjoy the music very much. The main title theme is obviously iconic. There are also some other very nice tracks on the soundtrack LP...I personally enjoy 'The Village Inn', 'It Had Better Be Tonight' and 'Shades of Sennet'.
I mean, can you imagine any other long running movie series that all started with the same theme? ....Oh, wait....
1 minute!
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
go!
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
Hey, a PTS! That's a good idea!
An iconic main title sequence. This came out approximately a year after Dr. No. I can't think of any other movies with main title sequences of such art and inventiveness before these films.
Looks like a Studio Set!
Dalton - the weak and weepy Bond!
I love that lavish set with its pink colorisation
So we start with the main female character as a young girl, then leap forward to when she's grown up. Sound familiar?
It's such a witty titles sequence, self-referential and establishing the tone of the film.