HotToastyRag Is there anyone out there who hasn't seen The Pink Panther? If you shyly raised your hand, get out there and pick up a copy this weekend and bring your Kleenexes. Not for crying, of course, but for wiping tears of laughter from your eyes.This is the first of nine installments, not including the Leslie Nielson remakes, and all but the final three star Peter Sellers as the bumbling French detective Inspector Clouseau. With an endless supply of slapstick jokes, expected but still hilarious gags, and 60s sex references, the Pink Panther movies are unforgettable and a staple in everyone's childhood. David Niven, Capucine, Claudia Cardinale, and Robert Wagner round out the cast in the first movie, so if you want to see Herbert Lom and Burt Wouk as the stock characters you remember from the rest of the series, you'll have to wait for the sequel A Shot in the Dark. Just so you know, David Niven is the real lead in this first movie, playing a suave, dashing, charming ladies' man-in other words, playing who he plays best. Peter Sellers had a much smaller part, but he was such a hit with audiences that the rest of the series increased his part and made him the lead! So, while this first movie might not be the one with the most jokes, it's still very funny and cute.

Leofwine_draca THE PINK PANTHER is the first in the long-running series of comedies starring the hapless Inspector Clouseau, as played by Peter Sellers in his most famous role. The surprise here is that Clouseau is merely a supporting character while the typically suave David Niven plays the lead character. The hunt is on for a jewel thief, but along the way the emphasis is very much on flirtation, Bond-style romancing of the ladies, and some slapstick humour. I actually found this film far less funny than I was expecting, despite the strong production values and Niven's winning performance. Sellers is, as ever, something of an acquired taste, best taken in small doses.

paulijcalderon This is the first time I've watched the original "Pink Panther" and I'm sad to say that I feel letdown. The film is simply not that funny. I'd say it's mildly amusing a best. I have nothing against the performances because they are alright. The real issue is that the whole thing ends up being dull and uninteresting. We spend so much time with weird seduction scenes, song numbers and people talking about convoluted plots. We get no real wit or fun slapstick. It could in the very least have been interesting or engaging when it comes to the criminal's plan. But, it's not. It's so dull I could barely follow it. The film picks up and begins to get better as it nears the third act. That's when Inspector Clouseau finally starts investigating. It's OK, because you want him to succeed figuring out the case. He's completely clueless and that's the joke. But his character is also very like-able because he has good intentions. The third act is sadly not enough to make up for the drawn out unfunny sequences you have to get through in the first two acts.I enjoy the musical score and the set pieces. But, why do we have to spend so much time in the bedroom sets? None of it was funny or clever. I'll be honest. I didn't laugh once during the entire movie. And the only thing I wanted was a humorous crime caper, but instead I got David Niven socializing on vacation. It's only worth checking out if you are curious about how this series began and evolved over time. They definitely struggled when deciding what type of movie they wanted to make. From what I hear, the series really found itself in the second film. I am looking forward to seeing that one. I can just never see myself watching the original ever again. And if I had to, I'd only watch Peter Sellers' scenes. It's OK at best, but not funny. I wanted to like it.

Predrag Most people who think of The Pink Panther, think of the animated show. Which actually, is quite incredible by itself. One of the things with The Pink Panther franchise, is that people seem to love the sequels to this series, than the original that started it all. Pink Panther was never originally going to spawn sequels, it was just an original idea. The Pink Panther was by far one of the best comedies that nowadays is completely underrated. It was a clever look at some of the best acting of comedy legend, Peter Sellers, and one of the first films to establish the dry, goofy comedy that uses the best of it's artistic limitations.The soundtrack song "Meglio Stasera(It had better be tonight)"is excellent and written to fit perfectly into the theme and mood of the film. Fran Jeffries sings it very well to a crowd of people by a fireplace, and she is as delightful as this scene itself. Claudia Cardinale and Capucine show style and charm in their roles. The title sequence runs over 7 minutes and it is as good as the movie itself. The 60's represent, in my opinion, the highest point in fashion and general pop culture which truly reflects the highest level of sophistication and taste; in this context, this movie is one of the movies that best represent the 60's.Overall rating: 9 out of 10.