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{{Two other uses|the "Pink Panther" film series|the animated character| Pink Panther (character)}}
'''''The Pink Panther''''' is a series of comedy films featuring the bumbling French police detective [[Jacques Clouseau]]. The role was originated by, and is most closely associated with, [[Peter Sellers]]. Most of the films were directed and co-written by [[Blake Edwards]], with notable theme music composed by [[Henry Mancini]].

Despite its use in the titles of most of the films of the series, "The Pink Panther" is not the Clouseau character, but a large and valuable fictitious diamond which is the "[[MacGuffin]]" of the first film in the series. It bears that name because the flaw at its center, when viewed closely, is said to resemble a leaping pink panther. The phrase reappears in the title of the fourth film, ''[[The Return of the Pink Panther]]'', in which the theft of the diamond is again the center of the plot – that film also marked the return of Sellers to the role after a gap of ten years, which may have contributed to the confusion between the character and the diamond. The phrase has been used for all the subsequent films in the series, even when the jewel does not figure into the plot (the diamond has only appeared in five of the ten films in the series).

The first film in the series had an animated opening sequence (created by [[DePatie-Freleng]]) set to the theme music by [[Henry Mancini]], featuring the [[Pink Panther (character)|Pink Panther character]]. This character, designed by [[Hawley Pratt]], was subsequently given its own series of animated films — as well as being featured in the opening of every film in the series except ''[[A Shot in the Dark]]'' and ''[[Inspector Clouseau (1968 film)|Inspector Clouseau]]'' — and came to be known simply as "the Pink Panther".

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==Films and themes==
Although the most recent ''Pink Panther'' films have starred [[Steve Martin]], most of the films in the series starred Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau and were directed and co-written by Blake Edwards. The popular jazz-based theme music was composed by Henry Mancini. In addition to the credits sequences, the theme accompanies any suspenseful sequence involving "the Phantom" at work on a theft, both in the first and in subsequent films.

Mancini's other themes for the first film include an Italian-language set-piece called "[[Meglio Stasera]]" whose purpose seems primarily to introduce young actress [[Fran Jeffries]]. Portions of its instrumental version also appear in the underscore of the film several times. Other segments include "Shades of [[Mack Sennett|Sennett]]", a "[[honky tonk]]" piano number introducing the film's climactic chase scene through the streets of Rome. Most of the soundtrack album's other entries are early 1960s [[orchestral jazz]] pieces, befitting the style of the era. Although variations of the main theme would be reprised for many of the ''Pink Panther'' series entries, as well as the cartoon series, Mancini composed a different theme for ''A Shot in the Dark''.

The Pink Panther of the title is a diamond supposedly containing a flaw which forms the image of a "leaping panther", which can be seen if held up to light in a certain way. The beginning of the first film explains this, and then the camera zooms in on the diamond to reveal the blurry flaw, which focuses into the Panther (albeit not actually leaping) to start the opening credits sequence (this is also done in ''Return''). The plot of the first film centers around the theft of this diamond, which is mentioned in only four other films in the series (''[[The Return of the Pink Panther]]'', ''[[Trail of the Pink Panther]]'', ''[[Curse of the Pink Panther]]'', and the 2006 film ''[[The Pink Panther (2006 film)|The Pink Panther]]''. The name stuck once "the Pink Panther" became synonymous with Inspector Clouseau, in much the way that "[[Frankenstein]]" was used in film titles to refer to Dr Frankenstein's monster or ''[[The Thin Man (film)|The Thin Man]]'' was used in a series of detective films.

''A Shot in the Dark'', a film which was not originally intended to feature Inspector Clouseau, is the only film in the series that features neither the diamond nor the distinctive animated Pink Panther in the opening credits and ending. Many critics, including [[Leonard Maltin]], regard this entry as the best in the series.

In the original Pink Panther movie, the main focus was on [[David Niven]]'s role as Sir Charles Lytton, who is the infamous jewel thief "the Phantom", and his plan to steal the Pink Panther from its owner. The Inspector Clouseau character played essentially a supporting role as Lytton's incompetent antagonist, and provided slapstick comic relief to a movie that was otherwise a subtle, lighthearted crime drama, a somewhat jarring contrast in styles which is not atypical of Edwards' films. The popularity of Clouseau caused him to become the main character in subsequent Pink Panther films, which were more straightforward slapstick comedies.

Mancini's theme, with variations in arrangement, is used at the start of all but a few of the Clouseau films.

As of {{fy|2006}}, ten Pink Panther films have been made, all but two having "Pink Panther" in the title:

{| class="wikitable" style="margin-right:0; width:100%"
|+ Pink Panther Films
! Film !! Year !! Notes
|-
|''[[The Pink Panther (1963 film)|The Pink Panther]]''
|{{fy|1963}}
|Although intended to begin a series for [[David Niven]], [[Peter Sellers]] is so popular, the rest of the series is shaped to follow Clouseau rather than the Phantom/Sir Charles Lytton.
|-
|''[[A Shot in the Dark]]''
|{{fy|1964}}
|Released only three months after ''The Pink Panther'', Clouseau returns to bumble his way through a murder investigation. This also marks the first appearance of both [[Herbert Lom]]'s Dreyfus and [[Burt Kwouk]]'s Cato.
|-
|''[[Inspector Clouseau (film)|Inspector Clouseau]]''
|{{fy|1968}}
|This film stars [[Alan Arkin]] as Clouseau, and does not have any of the standard characters (Dreyfus, Cato, the Phantom, etc.) from the rest of the series, nor does it have music by [[Henry Mancini]]. [[Blake Edwards]] was not in any way involved in the making of the film.
|-
|''[[The Return of the Pink Panther]]''
|{{fy|1975}}
|Not only does this mark the return of the famous "Pink Panther" diamond, but also the successful return of Peter Sellers as Clouseau (along with Edwards, Mancini, Dreyfus, and Cato). Sir Charles Lytton is portrayed by [[Christopher Plummer]].
|-
|''[[The Pink Panther Strikes Again]]''
|{{fy|1976}}
|Dreyfus' insanity reaches its pinnacle, and he tries to blackmail the rest of the world into killing Clouseau. Clearly successful critically and commercially, though this film arguably causes some major continuity issues for later films.
|-
|''[[Revenge of the Pink Panther]]''
|{{fy|1978}}
|Claimed by some as an alternate to ''Strikes Again'' as the "follow-up" to ''Return''. Ignoring ''Strikes Again'', this film brings back Dreyfus and pits Clouseau against the French Connection. This is the last film for which Sellers filmed scenes as Clouseau prior to his death.
|-
|''[[Trail of the Pink Panther]]''
|{{fy|1982}}
|Features Peter Sellers as Clouseau by way of deleted and alternate scenes from ''Strikes Again'', this is intended mostly as a tribute to Sellers, but after its release, Sellers' widow (who lost her Executive Producer credit on the unproduced "Romance of the Pink Panther") successfully sued Edwards and the studio for tarnishing her late husband's memory. David Niven and Capucine reappear, reprising their original roles.
|-
|''[[Curse of the Pink Panther]]''
|{{fy|1983}}
|Inspector Clouseau and The Pink Panther diamond, both of which had gone missing in ''Trail'', are hunted down by the bumbling American detective, Clifton Sleigh ([[Ted Wass]]). Clouseau returns in a cameo by an uncredited [[Roger Moore]] after having plastic surgery to change his identity. Although intended to spawn a new series of misadventures for Sergeant Sleigh, the film's dismal box office performance and critical drubbing sees the Panther hibernate for the next decade.
|-
|''[[Son of the Pink Panther]]''
|{{fy|1993}}
|[[Roberto Benigni]] tries to revive the series by portraying Gendarme Jacques Gambrelli, Inspector Clouseau's illegitimate son by Maria Gambrelli (the murder suspect from ''A Shot in the Dark''). Once again, many former Panther co-stars return. Although intended to again relaunch the series with a new lovable bumbling hero, "Son" brings Blake Edwards' original Panther series to a conclusion.
|-
|''[[The Pink Panther (2006 film)|The Pink Panther]]''
|{{fy|2006}}
|This relaunches a new Pink Panther series starring [[Steve Martin]] as Inspector Clouseau and [[Kevin Kline]] as Chief Inspector Dreyfus. Not a remake of the original Pink Panther, this sees a new starting point for a contemporary series introducing the Clouseau and Dreyfus characters along with the famous diamond to a new generation.
|-
|''[[The Pink Panther 2]]''
|{{fy|2009}}
|The [[sequel]] to [[Steve Martin]]'s [[The Pink Panther (2006 film)|Pink Panther]] film is in development. Shooting began in August {{fy|2007}} for a planned February 6th 2009 premiere.
|}

The first five Peter Sellers–Blake Edwards films were released theatrically by [[United Artists]] until the company was sold to [[MGM]]. Then ''Trail'' and ''Curse'' were released by MGM/UA Entertainment. ''[[Son of the Pink Panther]]'', although produced by UA, was released by MGM. ''[[The Return of the Pink Panther]]'' is the only film that is not fully owned by MGM/UA, as some ancillary rights (including television broadcast rights) are controlled by British production company [[ITC Entertainment]] through successor-in-interest [[Granada International]], while others (including home video) are now owned by [[Universal Pictures]]' [[Focus Features]] division--Focus recently re-issued this film on DVD for Region 1. Original distributor UA does own the film's copyright as well as the theatrical distribution rights via MGM as the latter studio handles theatrical distribution for the ITC/Granada theatrical library.

ITC originally intended to make an Inspector Clouseau television series, but Blake Edwards convinced the production company to back a feature film first and then a series if the film proved successful. The film exceeded expectations by becoming the most profitable film of {{fy|1975}}. United Artists quickly bought out ITC's investment and work immediately proceeded on the next feature film.

Although official, the {{fy|1968}} film ''[[Inspector Clouseau (film)|Inspector Clouseau]]'' is generally not considered by fandom to be part of the Pink Panther "[[canon (fiction)|canon]]" since it did not involve Sellers or Edwards. Some elements of Arkin's performance and costuming, however, were retained when Peter Sellers took back the role for ''Return'' in {{fy|1975}}. Despite a common misconception, Alan Arkin does not appear in ''[[Trail of the Pink Panther]]''.

A new film, called ''[[The Pink Panther (2006 film)|The Pink Panther]]'', starring [[Steve Martin]] as Inspector Clouseau, directed by [[Shawn Levy]], and produced by [[Robert Simonds]], was released in [[2006 in film|February 2006]]. This is the first ''Panther'' film to be released by [[Columbia Pictures]], which along with UA sister studio [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer]] is part of the [[Sony Pictures Entertainment|Sony]]/[[Comcast Corporation|Comcast]] consortium. It is set in the present day and introduces different main characters, therefore belonging to a different continuity. Martin also stars in a sequel, [[The Pink Panther 2]], scheduled for release in {{fy|2009}} and has also revealed that he is in talks to do The Pink Panther 3.

=== Characters ===
==== Inspector Jacques Clouseau ====
[[Inspector Clouseau|Jacques Clouseau]] is a bumbling simpleton of a policeman who believes himself to be a brilliant detective, if not a [[genius]]. He inexplicably speaks in [[English language|English]] with a ludicrous [[French language|French]] [[Accent (linguistics)|accent]], while other characters speak English, often with their own accents. Clouseau's accent is far less pronounced in the first film; from ''A Shot in the Dark'' onwards the exaggerated accent became part of the joke. It has been suggested that portraying the incompetent policeman as French is based on a British stereotype of the French police, or even the French population as a whole.

Peter Sellers, the actor portraying Clouseau, remarked that in his opinion, deep down inside, Clouseau knew he was a buffoon; but Clouseau has an incredible knack for survival. Sheer [[luck]] or clumsiness usually saves him. In the first film, a farcical car chase around one of [[Rome]]'s fountains results in the loud collision of all the vehicles (off-camera, witnessed only by a bemused pedestrian), resulting in the capture of the thieves (all of whom were wearing gorilla costumes). This approach accelerates, with Clouseau falling down stairs; falling into pools and fountains; causing fires and disasters; and even being blown up with bombs repeatedly throughout the series. In ''[[The Pink Panther Strikes Again]]'', assassins from all over the world are sent to kill Clouseau; he bends down to tie his shoelace, falls over, etc., at just the right moment to ensure that the killers eliminate one another. In ''[[Trail of the Pink Panther]]'', we see in one of the flashback that during [[World War II]], Clouseau even fought in the [[French Resistance]] movement against the German occupation, but the flashbacks again only serve to reiterate the fact that Clouseau can survive anything despite his incompetence.

Inspector Clouseau is a patriotic Frenchman; his country is professedly his highest priority. He has been prone to infatuation (which is often reciprocated) ever since being cuckolded by Sir Charles Lytton. He is repeatedly perplexed by transvestites, to the extent that he addresses them as "Sir or Madam".

The role was originated by [[Peter Sellers]], but has also been played by [[Alan Arkin]] (in ''Inspector Clouseau''), [[Daniel Peacock]] and [[Lucca Mezzofonti]] as younger versions in ''Trail of the Pink Panther'', [[Roger Moore]] (a cameo as a surgically altered Clouseau in ''Curse of the Pink Panther''), and [[Steve Martin]] (in the {{fy|2006}} ''Pink Panther'' film and its {{fy|2009}} sequel). Additionally, [[Rich Little]] supplied the voice of Clouseau, impersonating Sellers, for additional scenes in ''Trail of the Pink Panther''.

==== Chief Inspector Charles LaRousse Dreyfus ====
Clouseau's superior, Charles Dreyfus, was introduced in ''[[A Shot in the Dark]]'', where he held the rank of Commissioner. He is eventually driven [[murder]]ously insane by his exasperation with Clouseau's stupidity. In ''[[The Return of the Pink Panther]]'', Dreyfus has assumed the rank of Chief Inspector, instead of Commissioner; as before, he goes crazy by the end of the film, which ends with Dreyfus [[straitjacket]]ed in a padded cell writing "Kill Clouseau" on the wall with his [[toe]]s. Throughout this movie, Dreyfus initially suffers a variety of personal injuries (involving his gun and a cigarette lighter of a similar shape) before accidentally strangling his therapist while fantasizing of Clouseau's death. In ''[[The Pink Panther Strikes Again]]'', Dreyfus is about to be released from the asylum after making a complete recovery, but within 5 minutes of Clouseau's arriving (to speak to the board on Dreyfus' behalf), he suffers a variety of injuries and relapses back into murderous insanity. Dreyfus breaks out of the [[insane asylum]] and kidnaps a scientist, forcing him to build a [[disintegrator ray]]; the device is then used to [[blackmail]] the rest of the world into attempting to assassinate Clouseau. Dreyfus appears to disintegrate at the end of ''Strikes Again''; but subsequently, and [[retcon|without any explanation]], he can be found in the asylum again at the onsets of ''[[Revenge of the Pink Panther]]'' and ''[[Trail of the Pink Panther]]'', and he is allowed to return to his position as Chief Inspector when Clouseau is missing, presumed dead. Herbert Lom famously gave his character a pronounced wink which occurred when he was under particular stress and an accompanying child-like giggle when plotting Clouseau's murder.

In ''[[Son of the Pink Panther]]'', Dreyfus (as Chief Inspector) deals with Clouseau's equally buffoonish son Jacques Gambrelli. Compared to his treatment of Clouseau, Dreyfus is more accepting of Gambrelli. At the end of the film, Dreyfus falls in love with Clouseau's former lover, Maria Gambrelli (Jacques Gambrelli's mother), and they get married. At the subsequent wedding, Dreyfus is shocked to learn that Clouseau and Maria actually conceived twins: Jacques and Jacqueline Gambrelli.

In the {{fy|2006}} [[Reboot (continuity)|reboot]], ''[[The Pink Panther (2006 film)|The Pink Panther]]'', Dreyfus (again as Chief Inspector) uses Clouseau as a [[decoy]] while he himself attempts to solve the crimes. Dreyfus merely views Clouseau as an idiot, and never attempts to have him killed; whereas Clouseau attacks his employer at one point, mistaking his [[identity]]. Later in the film, Dreyfus is dragged accidentally behind Clouseau's [[Smart (automobile)|Smart Car]]. Dreyfus ends up in the hospital, where Clouseau's bumbling causes him further physical [[pain]].

Dreyfus was played by [[Herbert Lom]] in the [[Blake Edwards]] films, and by [[Kevin Kline]] in the 2006 film. He will be played by [[John Cleese]] in the 2009 sequel.{{fact|date=September 2007}}

==== Cato Fong ====<!-- This section is linked from [[Cato]] -->
Cato (spelled "Kato" in ''A Shot in the Dark'') is Clouseau's house boy, and an expert in [[martial arts]]. It is unclear whether he believes Clouseau to be a great detective or whether he merely humors him. It is a [[running gag|running joke]] that he is instructed to unexpectedly attack Clouseau, to keep Clouseau's combat skills and vigilance sharp. If they are interrupted during such an attack (as by a [[telephone]] call), Cato ceases to project the image of assailant and becomes a well-[[discipline]]d [[valet]].

In later films, Cato helps Clouseau on some cases, including one in [[Hong Kong]]. Here, Cato wears glasses to be inconspicuous, but ends up running into various objects because of his now-impaired [[Visual perception|vision]].

At first, Cato appears to conform to the Chinese [[racial stereotype]] of speaking in "[[Engrish|broken English]]" and grinning; however, ''[[Revenge of the Pink Panther]]'' reveals him to actually be fluent in English, including nonstandard English. It is suggested that a love-hate relationship exists between the two men, sometimes bordering more on the "hate" side for Cato.

In ''Revenge'', Cato, believing his master to be dead, ran a covert [[brothel]] in Clouseau's apartment. The password used to get into the brothel was to claim to be Inspector Clouseau, which caused a humorous scene when the true Inspector Clouseau showed up. Cato opened another brothel in ''[[Curse of the Pink Panther]]'', and converted Clouseau's apartment into a [[museum]] featuring all the disguises the inspector had worn over the years. The choice of a brothel as his interim business may variously suggest that Cato is less than entirely honest, somewhat lecherous, aware of other people's [[lechery]], or eager to earn money. He is otherwise loyal to Clouseau.

Cato was based on [[Kato (The Green Hornet)|Kato]], the [[sidekick]] of [[the Green Hornet]] played by [[Bruce Lee]]. The credits of ''[[A Shot in the Dark]]'' even list his name spelled with a "K", though it was changed to a "C" for all subsequent appearances.

Cato was played by [[Burt Kwouk]]. Kwouk was also considered for a part in the 2006 revival, but was passed over, and the role of Cato was offered to [[Jackie Chan]]. Ultimately, however, the character was scrapped completely, for fear that the Chinese stereotype was too [[political correctness|politically incorrect]] for modern audiences. Cato was replaced by a new character, Gendarme Gilbert Ponton, played by [[Jean Reno]], assigned by Chief Inspector Dreyfus to watch over Clouseau. In a reversal of the setup with Cato, Clouseau would often attack Ponton unexpectedly; Ponton always won the fight, as opposed to Cato, who often lost. The fights featuring Cato were always more destructive and longer than those featuring Ponton.

==== Sergeant François Chevalier ====
François, Dreyfus' assistant, generally observes his boss's interactions with Clouseau (and subsequent emotional breakdowns) with placid bemusement. [[André Maranne]], a French actor, played François in six Panther films, and in ''[[Son of the Pink Panther]]'', he was replaced by [[Dermot Crowley]] (as Maranne had died in 1992). He later becomes Clouseau's assistant.

==== Sir Charles Lytton/The Phantom ====
"The Phantom" is a jewel thief; Clouseau's archenemy (after Dreyfus) in several of the films; and known to the public as Sir Charles Litton. He leaves a "calling card" at the scene of every crime: a white glove with a stylized letter "P". In the first film he was played by [[David Niven]], and in ''Return'' by [[Christopher Plummer]]. In later films he had cameos, again performed by a by-then aging and frail Niven, whose voice was overdubbed by impressionist [[Rich Little]].

=== Homages and references to the films ===
* In an episode of the [[anime]] series ''[[Lupin the Third]]'', entitled "Black Panther" (American-dub title "My Birthday Pursuit"), master criminal and title character Lupin attempts to steal the Black Panther diamond as a birthday gift for his girlfriend/rival Fujiko. Normally, Lupin has to deal with the interfering Inspector Zenigata, but in this episode, Zenigata is aided by a clearly Clouseau-inspired character, Inspector Conaiseau. Conaiseau is even assisted by a Cato-inspired character, Hageito. Also within the episode, Lupin and Conaiseau both infiltrate a nudist colony, much like Clouseau does in ''A Shot in the Dark''. Also, as a note of interest, the Black Panther diamond, when light shines on it at a certain angle, shows within it a black version of the Pink Panther cartoon character. This "toon" seems to give the diamond a life of its own, as whenever it is unexpectedly dropped, the diamond appears to run off like a loose panther, with the "toon" visible to the audience as it does so.
* In an episode of the [[animated series]] ''[[Jackie Chan Adventures]]'', entitled "Enter...the Viper", [[Jackie Chan]] and his niece Jade must protect the "Pink Puma" diamond from a female jewel thief called Viper.
* In ''[[The Simpsons]]'' episode "[[This Little Wiggy]]", an announcer on Chief Wiggum's television is heard saying "We now return to ''The Return of the Pink Panther Returns'', starring [[Ken Wahl]] as Inspector Clouseau".
* In the [[The Simpsons]] Season 5 episode "[[Homer the Vigilante]]" the Springfield Cat Burglar character is based on the Phantom. When he burglarizes the Simpsons house the background music is very similar to the Pink Panther music, and he leaves a calling card at the scene of the crime. He steals the world's largest [[cubic zirconia]] from a museum, much like the Phantom stealing the Pink Panther diamond. When he is captured he turns out to be a suave, David Niven-like character.
*In an ad for [[Apple Computer]]'s [[iPhone]], Inspector Clouseau is seen briefly answering his telephone.
*Cato appears in the movie ''[[Inspector Gadget (film)|Inspector Gadget]]'' during the Minions Anonymous meeting.
*On [[The Price is Right (US game show)|The Price is Right]], the Pink Panther theme music was used during the [[Safe Crackers]] pricing game, from 1976&ndash;1992. However, the production company had to pay licensing fees every time the song was used, so they replaced it with stock music.

==Reception==
===Box office performance===
{| class="wikitable" width=99% border="1"
| rowspan="1" align="center" | '''Film'''
| colspan="1" align="center" | '''Release date'''
| colspan="1" align="center" | '''Box office revenue'''
| colspan="1" align="center" text="wrap" | '''Box office ranking'''
| rowspan="1" align="center" | '''Reference'''
|-
| ''[[The Pink Panther (1963 film)|The Pink Panther]]''
| [[20 March]] {{fy|1964}}
| $10,878,107
| align="center" | #3,054
| align="center" | <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=pinkpanther.htm | title=The Pink Panther (1964) | publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] | accessdate=2007-05-17 }}</ref>
|-
| ''[[A Shot in the Dark]]''
| [[23 June]] {{fy|1964}}
| $12,368,234
| align="center" | #2,888
| align="center" | <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=shotinthedark.htm | title=A Shot in the Dark (1964) | publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] | accessdate=2007-05-17 }}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Inspector Clouseau (1968 film)| Inspector Clouseau]]''
| [[19 July]] {{fy|1968}}
| align="center" | ?
| align="center" | ?
| align="center" | <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=batmanforever.htm | title=Batman Forever (1995) | publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] | accessdate=2007-05-17 }}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Return of the Pink Panther]]''
| [[21 May]] {{fy|1975}}
| $41,833,347
| align="center" | #1,164
| align="center" | <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=returnofthepinkpanther.htm| title=Return of the Pink Panther (1975) | publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] | accessdate=2007-05-17 }}</ref>
|-
| ''[[The Pink Panther Strikes Again]]''
| [[15 December]] {{fy|1976}}
| $33,833,201
| align="center" | #1,465
| align="center" | <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=pinkpantherstrikesagain.htm| title=The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976) | publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] | accessdate=2007-05-17 }}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Revenge of the Pink Panther]]''
| [[19 July]] {{fy|1978}}
| $49,579,269
| align="center" | #987
| align="center" | <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=revengeofthepinkpanther.htm| title=Revenge of the Pink Panther (1978) | publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] | accessdate=2007-05-17 }}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Trail of the Pink Panther]]''
| [[17 December]] {{fy|1982}}
| $9,056,073
| align="center" | #3,266
| align="center" | <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=trailofthepinkpanther.htm| title=Trail of the Pink Panther (1982) | publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] | accessdate=2007-05-17 }}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Curse of the Pink Panther]]''
| [[21 August]] {{fy|1983}}
| $4,491,986
| align="center" | #4,017
| align="center" | <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=curseofthepinkpanther.htm| title=Curse of the Pink Panther (1982) | publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] | accessdate=2007-05-17 }}</ref>
|-
| ''[[Son of the Pink Panther]]''
| [[27 August]] {{fy|1993}}
| $2,438,031
| align="center" | #4,535
| align="center" | <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=sonofthepinkpanther.htm| title=Son of the Pink Panther (1993) | publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] | accessdate=2007-05-17 }}</ref>
|-
| ''[[The Pink Panther (2006 film)| The Pink Panther (2006)]]''
| [[10 February]] {{fy|2006}}
| $82,226,474
| align="center" | #484
| align="center" | <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=pinkpanther05.htm| title=The Pink Panther (2006) | publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] | accessdate=2007-05-17 }}</ref>
|-
| ''[[The Pink Panther 2 (2009 film)|The Pink Panther 2]]''
| [[13 February]] {{fy|2009}}
|
| align="center" |
| align="center" | <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=pinkpanther2.htm| title=The Pink Panther 2 (2009) | publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] | accessdate=2007-05-17 }}</ref>
|-
| ''Pink Panther'' film series
|
| '''$246,704,576'''
|
|
|}

== Pink Panther character and animated cartoons==
[[Image:Pink Panther.png|thumb|130px|[[The Pink Panther (character)|The Pink Panther]] cartoon character]]
{{main|The Pink Panther (character)}}

The opening title sequence of the original {{fy|1963}} ''Pink Panther'' film was such a success with the United Artists executives that they decided to adapt the title sequence into a series of theatrical animated shorts. [[DePatie-Freleng Enterprises]], run by former [[Termite Terrace|Warner Bros. Cartoons]] creators [[David H. DePatie]] and [[Friz Freleng]], produced the opening sequences, with Freleng as director. UA commissioned a long series of ''Pink Panther'' shorts, the first of which, {{fy|1964}}'s ''[[The Pink Phink]]'' won the {{fy|1964}} [[Academy Award for Animated Short Film]]. By the late-1960s, the shorts were being broadcast as [[Saturday morning cartoon]]s, and new shorts were being produced for both television broadcast and theatrical release. The animated Pink Panther character has also appeared in computer and console video games, as well as advertising campaigns for several companies.

== Video games ==
The [[Super Nintendo]]/[[Sega Mega Drive|Sega Genesis]] game ''Pink Panther Goes to Hollywood'' was developed by [[Altron]] and released by HeadGames Publishing in [[1993 in video games|1993]], where the Pink Panther was being pursued by Inspector Clouseau through the MGM studios, and finds himself in various movie parodies, including "[[Honey, I Shrunk the Kids|Honey, I Shrunk the Pink]]", "[[Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (film)|Cat on a Hot Pink Roof]]" and "[[Frankenstein|Pinkenstein]]" (oddly enough, few of the parodies are of MGM movies). The game did poorly with critics and sold badly, and is now mostly forgotten.

The cartoon character was used in a [[PlayStation]] game ''Pinkadelic Pursuit'' published by French company [[Cryo Interactive]] in [[2002 in video games|2002]], as well as a [[Game Boy Advance]] version developed by Wanadoo FTG in [[2003 in videogames|2003]], which were both barely marketed and quickly forgotten. Sony published a Pink Panther game for Mobile Phones in [[2004 in video games|2004]]. He was the central character in the storyline of the [[point-and-click]] cartoon PC games "Pink Panther's [[Passport to Peril]]" and "Pink Panther in Hokus Pokus Pink" Published by [[Wanderlust Interactive]] in [[1996 in video games|1996]]. [http://www.compedia-usa.com Compedia] developed PC CD-Rom games for kids, which were released in Fall [[2007 in video games|2007]].

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.high-tech.com/panther/ The Pink Panther Page]
* [http://inspectorclouseau.com/ Inspector Clouseau Page] - Tribute Site to Peter Sellers
* [http://www.petersellers.com/ Official Page of Peter Sellers]
* [http://imdb.com/find?q=pink%20panther;s=all Pink Panther] at the [[Internet Movie Database]]
* [http://therapeuticpink.proboards102.com/ 'Therapeutic Pink'] - Discussion forum devoted to the Pink Panther
*[http://franjeffries.blogspot.com/ Obsession - the Fran Jeffries Blog]
*[http://tf.org/pub/709366a65b23056263137452109fe870 'Pink Panther' trailer ties in to hit cartoons]

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Revision as of 17:04, 29 September 2008

sits next to eric

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