The Pink Panther | |
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Theatrical release poster by Jack Rickard
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Directed by | Blake Edwards |
Produced by | Martin Jurow |
Screenplay by |
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Starring | |
Music by | Henry Mancini |
Cinematography | Philip Lathrop |
Edited by | Ralph E. Winters |
Production
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Distributed by | United Artists |
Release date
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Running time
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113 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Box office | $10.9 million (North America) |
The Pink Panther | ||||
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Soundtrack album by Henry Mancini | ||||
Released | 1964 | |||
Recorded | Sep 16, 1963-Sep 18, 1963 | |||
Genre | Soundtrack | |||
Length | 28:58 | |||
Label | RCA Victor | |||
Producer | Joe Reisman | |||
Henry Mancini chronology | ||||
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The Pink Panther is a 1963 American comedy film directed by Blake Edwards and co-written by Edwards and Maurice Richlin, starring David Niven, Peter Sellers, Robert Wagner, Capucine, and Claudia Cardinale. The film introduced the cartoon character of the same name, in an opening credits sequence animated by DePatie-Freleng Enterprises.
The film was selected in 2010 to be preserved by the Library of Congress as part of its National Film Registry, being deemed "culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant."
As a child in Lugash, Princess Dala receives a gift from her father, the Maharajah: the "Pink Panther," the largest diamond in the world. This huge pink gem has an unusual flaw: looking deeply into the stone, one perceives a tiny discoloration resembling a leaping panther. 20 years later, Dala has been forced into exile following her father's death and the subsequent military takeover of her country. The new government declares her precious diamond the property of the people and petitions the World Court to determine ownership. Dala, however, refuses to relinquish it.
Dala (Claudia Cardinale) goes on holiday at an exclusive ski resort in Cortina d'Ampezzo. Also staying there is English playboy Sir Charles Lytton (David Niven)—who leads a secret life as a jewel thief called "The Phantom"—and has his eyes on the Pink Panther. His charming American nephew George (Robert Wagner) arrives at the resort unexpectedly. George is really a playboy drowning in gambling debts, but poses as a recent college graduate about to enter the Peace Corps so his uncle continues to support his lavish lifestyle.