MovieChat Forums > The Return of the Pink Panther (1975) Discussion > Your favorite Pink Panther movie?

Your favorite Pink Panther movie?

posted 19 years ago by CHARLIE-89
14 replies | jump to latest

For me, it'd have to be this one.

As much as I like the first two films (especially A SHOT IN THE DARK, one of the finest comedies ever produced), I think I prefer the three later ones with Sellers the most, because it allows him to focus on being as silly and bumbling as possible.

RETURN OF THE PINK PANTHER is my favorite of the bunch because it gives Sellers plenty of room to his brilliant slapstick bits (one of my favorites is when he disguises himself as the phone repairman).

...STRIKES AGAIN is generally regarded as the funniest of the series and I enjoy it just about as much as RETURN OF THE PINK PANTHER.

The only problem I have with REVENGE OF THE PINK PANTHER is that there are not as many memorable scenes as there are in the others that I mentioned. Not that there aren't some very funny scenes, but in general I don't find many of them quite as memorable (with the exception of the inflatable parrot). Still, a hilarious movie.

As for the last three movies (TRAIL OF..., CURSE OF..., and SON OF...), these have some funny moments but I think my opinion of them is rather low because of the fact that Sellers is not in them (unless you include the use of outtakes in TRAIL OF..., which I don't really count). As much fun as the series is, its rather sad that Sellers wasn't around to appear in the later films, and that those later films were made with other comics standing-in for the Sellers-type role.

However, being a fan of slapstick comedy, I'm ultimately glad to see the series had continued just because good physical comedy is becoming harder to see. I hope the new PINK PANTHER movie manages to contain some good slapstick and perhaps inspire some more films in the series, but only if they're done well.

[–] Chirpy_Sabz 19 years ago

yea, mine is also A Shot in the Dark followed by The Return of The Pink Panther.

[–] skatermcgrath93 18 years ago

I'll list mine from 1-5(1 being the funniest)

1.Return of The Pink Panther
2.Curse of The Pink Panther
3.Trail of The Pink Panther
4.The Pink Panther Strikes Again
5.A Shot in The Dark

[–] skatermcgrath93 18 years ago

anyone else?

[–] gonzostyles 18 years ago

You're obviously entitled to your opinion but to rank "shot in the dark" below trail of the pink panther, in my opinion is ridiculous.

Trail of the pink panther was an attrocity, it shouldn't have been made, its simly a collection of clips from the previous films, since sellers had died.

strikes again, curse and return are fine films. But also you forgot to include the film that started it all "The Pink Panther"

I'd have to go

1- shot in the dark
2- return of the PP
3- Curse Of The PP
4- The Pink Panther
5- PP Strikes Again

[–] bjcherry 18 years ago

Well, I just watched Shot in the Dark for the first time this weekend and I must say I absolutely loved it. It was more a story about the inspector than the first movie, but not as "silly" as the rest (and even that is not a bad thing). Very good comedy.

1. Shot in the Dark - new favorite
2. Return of the PP
3. PP strikes again - still hate the ending
4. Trail of the PP - real movie or not, there were some funny gags in there.
5. Revenge of the PP
6. The Pink Panther

[–] ScrambledMess 18 years ago

Bjcherry, what do you think is wrong with the ending of Strikes Again? That one is my favorite.

1. The Pink Panther Strikes Again
2. The Return of the Pink Panther
3. A Shot in the Dark
4. Revenge of the Pink Panther
5. Trail of the Pink Panther (usually I don't consider this one as existing, but to be honest I think the scenes with Sellers are better than the first film)
6. The Pink Panther (only half of a comedy)

[–] bjcherry 18 years ago

Hi Yannick12,

I knew someone was going to ask about that one. I enjoy watching the cartoony style of the later pink panther movies (bombs that only blacken, noses getting blown off, detectives floating out of windows). But to have a character killed only to return in the next movie is just TOO cartoony. I have tried to justify this ending, but cannot. I think the rest of the movie shows some of Peter Sellers' best physical comedy, but the whole laser beam concept was just too much for me.

Granted, its been awhile since I watched that one. I'll go back and watch it this weekend. Maybe I have missed something.

thanks,

B

***UPDATE***
As promised, I did re-watch PP: Strikes Again. I have to stand by my earlier comments. There are some hilarious moments, no doublt. The Parallel bars, the knight's gauntlet, the moat... are some of the funniest bits ever. But the laser just leaves me cold. The "special" effects are poor, and the concept goes waaaaay past burglary or murder. The idea is great though... London held for ransom and all he demands is one man. Having all of the worlds greatest assassins trying to kill him is fantastic. If it wasnt a laser it would have been better (too James Bond for a PP movie). Oh, and the ending of Dreyfuss was just too much to bear.

thanks again,

[–] skiop 16 years ago

I've only seen the first three (but I've seen parts of the fourth and fifth), but I find it hard to believe that anyone would find A Shot in the Dark the funniest.

[–] 16 years ago

[deleted]

[–] MsELLERYqueen2 11 years ago

I like the first one. Any of the sequels which I've tried to watch, I couldn't finish. I don't like the excessive pratfalls and all that.

~~
Jim Hutton: talented gorgeous hot hunk; adorable as ElleryQueen; SEXIEST ACTOR EVER

[–] pequaboy 11 years ago

A Shot in the Dark
Return of
Strikes Again
Revenge Of
The Pink Panther

I didn't see the 1st Pink Panther until after "Return" and "Strikes Again" so I found it very dry without the Clouseau accent. I actually didn't see "A Shot in the Dark" until the 80s, not realizing it was the 2nd installment (derp).

Anything after Revenge was a futile effort to turn a buck on Sellers' name. I was very happy to learn that his widow successfully sued Edwards and the studio for tarnishing her late husband's memory.

"A naked American man stole my balloons".
An American Werewolf In London

[–] Ramenbo 10 years ago

1. Strikes Again - Overall funniest, with the best gags and a story that basks in how over-the-top it is
2. Pink Panther - I know it's not really a full comedy, but I like David Niven and the musical number in it
3. A Shot in the Dark - Drags a little, but has the best storytelling
4. Return - This one just got boring. The scenes with the Phantom were very dull and didn't support the Clouseau bits well

Haven't seen Revenge, yet

[–] overseas7 (3545) 4 years ago

This one.

[–] SandyR (7410) a year ago

The one with Dreyfus in a castle.