A Shot in the Dark (1964)

I recently watched the original Pink Panther film and came away feeling disappointed by it. It was an OK movie, but I didn't really find it all that amusing or compelling. However, this sequel to The Pink Panther is very entertaining with plenty of laugh out loud moments and colorful characters. Peter Sellers really shines in this role of the bumbling detective. Reminded me of Frank Drebin from the Naked Gun movies. I would assume Jacques Clouseau provided some inspiration for that character. I felt that the slapstick gags in the first movie came across as forced, but they work really well here. Overall, this is a fun movie that should keep you entertained from beginning to end.7/10************SPOILERS************Recommended for those that enjoy cartoon intros, clumsy french policemen, breaking things, spilling things, ripping things, burning things, tripping over things, falling off of things, falling into things, personal stealth karate-boy personal trainers, death by gun, death by throwing knife, death by blow dart, death by poison, death by garden shears, nudist colonies, eye twitching, ankle biting, unreliable timepieces......but that's just like, my opinion, man# Of Times Watched: Once

I saw the original Pink Panther movie and I liked it, but didn't think it was the masterpiece like a lot of people thought it was. Well, this is considered to be even better and I certainly agree! I'm not the biggest Inspector Closeau fan, but this was a lot of fun. It helps that we escalate the slapstick and everything just keeps on going. I guess the best part is that Closeau plays it straight. Well, he at least tries to play it straight. The other characters are much more intellectual and do a better job playing it straight. It's great to see him be confronted by everyone else.Can I just say that the opening animated credits were some of the best I've ever seen? I'm surprised they didn't have, well, the Pink Panther in them. It does get a little slow in the middle, but it all pays off in the end. I realize that I'm not much of a fan of murder mysteries, but what better way than to do a parody of them? Many people do consider this the best in the whole series and of the numerous I have seen, I agree with them. It helps that Peter Sellers as Closeau is so funny. I knew the name Kato was a shout out to the Green Hornet. ***1/2

Peter Sellers can still draw a smile in the role of the bumbling Inspector Clouseau. The scene where he tries to burst down a door where a lady is singing in a recital (thinking her in trouble), only to have the door opened and then flail through the room on his way out of the window opposite and the river below, made me chuckle. That gives you an idea for the physical comedy to expect in this film, some of which works, and some of which has lost its edge over the years. Elke Sommer plays the suspected murderer who Clouseau can't believe has done it because he has the hots for her, but wasn't all that appealing to me. You can certainly do worse, but I doubt you will be blown away either.

While most consider this film to be the best in the entire Pink Panther film series,I have to say that while I did get many a laugh from this film,there are others in the series that I got more enjoyment and laughter from.Peter Sellers,the original and ONLY Inspector Clouseau in my book,is nothing short of brilliant here,and the brilliance only improved as the film series wore on.Here,Clouseau is obviously infatuated with Elke Sommer's character to the point of being the only one amongst his colleagues convinced that she is innocent of murder.Is she or isn't she? You will no doubt laugh all the way to finding out the answer.