Daily Archives: October 1, 2010

I can’t believe it took me this long to review a Pink Panther movie.

After looking over the site, I realized that I had not reviewed any of the Pink Panther movies.  Well than nonsense ends now.

Though my favorite Pink Panther movie is A Shot In The Dark, we will look at the Pink Panther Strikes Again because I had the pleasure of watching it with Dr. H.

In this one, former Chief Inspector Dreyfus (Herbert Lom) is about to be released from a mental hospital– in which he has resided since being driven crazy by Clouseau– the very afternoon of his release hearing he is visited by none other than Clouseau.  Clouseau has come to speak on behalf of his former boss because he “is not without influence.”  When Clouseau is through `helping,’ his former boss, he is driven from the premises by the relapsed, stark raving mad Dreyfus.  And it’s only the first scene of the French Inspector’s antics that, before it is over, include a fantastic bout with Cato, a trip to Oktoberfest, encounters with a dozen hit-men from around the world, a beautiful Russian spy named Olga (Lesley-Anne Down), a surprise Egyptian spy and a one-man assault on a castle.

I know, some of you may be thinking “but J.P., the movie’s plot is totally absurd,” and yes you are correct.  Seller’s Clouseau requires a totally absurd plot to perform his laugh out loud style of comedy.  There was no end to the ways Sellers could make you laugh; from a subtle expression– an eye averted or perhaps the slight raising of an eyebrow– to the most overt slapstick, he was the master.  Physically, practically all he had to do to get a laugh was show up.  One of my favorite lines in movie history is when Clouseau is questioning the residents/staff of a manor and he has managed to get a mace stuck on his arm.  He swings at bee flying around and smashes a priceless Steinway piano–well its not one any more:

Clouseau:  “A beekeeper who has lost his voice, a cook who thinks he is a gardener and a witness to murder . . . Oh yes it is obvious to my trained eye that there is much more going on here than meets the ear . . . (swings a buzzing bee but smashes piano)  . . . before you are dismissed Mr. Stutterstutt, I suggest you count your bees, you may find that one of them is missing . . .”

Lady-Witness:  “You ruined that piano”

Clouseau:  “What is the price of one piano compared to the terrible crime that has been committed here?”

Lady-Witness: “But that is a priceless Steinway!”

Clouseau:  “Not any more.”

It may not look that great on paper, but watching Sellers perform it always makes me laugh.  I included this scene as one of the clips so enjoy.

The clips chosen are the longest I have put on the site since its creation.  I thought it was necessary because to really appreciate the humor you need to watch the entire scene.