The Return of the Pink Panther (1975)

Inspector Jacque Clouseau (Peter Sellers) is put on the case when the Pink Panther diamond is stolen, with the Phantom's trademark glove the only clue.

Director:

Blake Edwards

Writers:

Frank Waldman (screenplay), Blake Edwards (screenplay)

Stars:

Peter Sellers, Christopher Plummer, Catherine Schell

Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Peter Sellers	...	Insp. Jacques Clouseau
Christopher Plummer	...	Sir Charles Litton
Catherine Schell	...	Lady Claudine Litton
Herbert Lom	...	Chief Insp. Charles Dreyfus
Peter Arne	...	Colonel Sharki
Peter Jeffrey	...	General Wadafi
Grégoire Aslan	...	Chief of Lugash Police (as Gregoire Aslan)
David Lodge	...	Mac
Graham Stark	...	Pepi
Eric Pohlmann	...	Fat Man
André Maranne	...	Sgt. François Chevalier
Burt Kwouk	...	Cato Fong
Victor Spinetti	...	Hotel Concierge
John Bluthal	...	Blind Beggar
Mike Grady	...	Bell Boy

Storyline

That famous jewel, The Pink Panther, has once again been stolen and Inspector Jacque Clouseau (Peter Sellers) is called in to catch the thief. The Inspector is convinced that "The Phantom" has returned and utilizes all of his resources, himself and his oriental manservant, to reveal the true identity of "The Phantom".

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Plot Keywords:

assassination attempt | bread | clumsiness | doorbell | watermelon | 

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Taglines:

You may rest assured that there's trouble, because Inspector Clouseau is on the case. (That's the trouble.)

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Mystery

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Certificate:

G

Did You Know?

Trivia

The telephone repair vehicle is a Piaggio Ape - made by the same Italian company that makes Vespa scooters. As of 2019, this vehicle has been in continuous production since 1948.

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Goofs

Sir Charles Litton's valet/butler calls Clouseau "Inspector" while Clouseau is in the guise of a telephone repairman.

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Quotes

[after an incident involving a blind beggar]
Dreyfus: The beggar was the lookout man for the gang.
Clouseau: That is impossible.
Dreyfus: Why?
Clouseau: He was blind. How can a blind man be a lookout?
Dreyfus: [Insinuating Clouseau] How can an idiot be a policeman? Answer me that!
Clouseau: It's very simple, all he has to do is enlist...
Dreyfus: Shut up!

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Crazy Credits

In the opening credits, the Pink Panther's actions and costumes provide references to Carmen Miranda, Esther Williams, Charles Chaplin, Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Groucho Marx, George Raft and Boris Karloff (as Frankenstein's monster).

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Alternate Versions

The first DVD release, put out by Artisan Entertainment, did not feature the original 2.35:1 aspect ratio version of the film. Instead, the pan-and-scan version of the film was cropped, and the DVD was presented in a matted aspect ratio of 1.85:1--approximately 25% of the screen was lost in this process.

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Connections

Referenced in Why Him? (2016)

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Soundtracks

The Ride of the Valkyries
(from "The Valkyries") (uncredited)
Music by Richard Wagner

User Reviews

Another "Pink Panther" Gem

"The Return of the Pink Panther" is the fourth movie in the "Pink Panther" franchise, marking Peter Sellers' return to what must be his signature role, Inspector Jacques Clouseau. Previously, Alan Arkin had stepped into his shoes for one movie, apparently with bad results. In "Return," the fabled Pink Panther diamond is again stolen, with the Phantom's calling card monogrammed glove left as a clue. Clouseau goes back on the case, as does Sir Charles Lytton (Christopher Plummer, taking over for David Niven), the former Phantom himself. Anyway, this movie shows the progress of the "Panther" franchise, when the crazy characters and Clouseau's wacky mannerisms start to really show. Sellers brings slapstick to a fever pitch, making a shambles of everything in his path, not to mention the sanity of his superior, Chief Inspector Dreyfus, played by Herbert Lom. There are lots of funny scenes, including the one in which Clouseau is distracted from a bank robbery by a "blind" accordionist and his chimpanzee "minkey." It's definitely one of the better chapters in the "Pink Panther" saga.

Details

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 May 1975 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Return of the Pink Panther

Filming Locations:

Djemaa el Fna, Marrakech, Morocco

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$41,833,347

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$41,833,347

Company Credits

Production Co:

ITC Films, Jewel Productions, Pimlico Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1