The Pink Panther

In this first film of the beloved comic detective series THE PINK PANTHER, master thief Sir Charles Lytton (David Niven), aka the Phantom, plans to steal the largest diamond in the world. This diamond, known as the Pink Panther, is in the possession of Princess Dala (Claudia Cardinale), who has been living in exile since the death of her father, the Maharajah, and the military coup in her country. Lytton isn’t the only one who aims to steal the jewel. Even Lytton’s cousin George, a playboy with a mountain of debt, is planning a heist. The clumsy Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Peter Sellers) is hot on the Phantom’s trail, but it soon becomes clear that the cat-and-mouse game between the two isn’t really working in his favor.

Claudia Cardinale made her Hollywood debut in THE PINK PANTHER and immediately showcased her comedic talent. However, it was Peter Sellers’ memorable performance as Clouseau that secured the future of the Pink Panther franchise. Director Blake Edwards always envisioned David Niven as the lead, but Sellers’ performance was so beloved by the crew that he shifted his focus to Clouseau. And with good results: Inspector Clouseau became a crowd-pleaser!

The film is part of the matinee focus LA RAGAZZA CARDINALE, which puts the spotlight on actress Claudia Cardinale.