"The Pink Panther" is a priceless diamond which Princess Dala brings to a ski resort in Switzerland. There she meets the charming Sir Charles – a notorious thief of precious stones, better known as The Phantom. One of the rooms is also occupied by a clumsy police inspector – Jacques Clouseau, but will he manage to thwart the theft of the priceless jewel?
Transport yourself to the film world in Switzerland and team up with the inspector to catch the cunning thief red-handed!
Relax in the tasteful sleeping area where we placed two comfortable beds dressed in fluffy pillows and scented linens. Discover a practical bathroom with a shower cabin, which you will find behind the double doors inside the suite. The apartment is also equipped with a kitchenette, 50-inch LCD TV with LED technology and free WiFi. The funny wall mural depicting the main character, pink chairs, warm colors and elegant furniture lend the time spent here a lot of unique charm.
The Pink Panther is one of those titles that has permanently secured its place in the history of comedy cinema. The film from the 1960s launched a series that entertained audiences around the world for decades. Interestingly, it was not originally planned that the clumsy inspector would become the biggest star of the production. Here are some of the most interesting facts and anecdotes related to The Pink Panther and its creators.
The first film in the series, The Pink Panther, premiered in 1963. The director was Blake Edwards, who wanted to create an elegant crime comedy with a touch of European style.
Contrary to popular belief, the Pink Panther was not originally a cartoon character. The name refers to a huge diamond with a distinctive pink flaw. When light hits it at the right angle, the flaw resembles the silhouette of a jumping panther.
It was only in the film’s opening credits that an animated pink cat appeared. The audience loved the character so much that it quickly received its own series of animated productions.
The greatest surprise was the success of the character Inspector Clouseau. The role was played by Peter Sellers. Initially, he was meant to be only a supporting character. The main star of the production was David Niven.
However, audiences quickly noticed Sellers’ comedic talent. His way of speaking, gestures, and clumsiness made Clouseau the true heart of the entire series.
It is impossible to talk about The Pink Panther without mentioning its music.
The famous theme was composed by Henry Mancini. The main motif became one of the most recognizable film themes in cinema history.
The piece won awards and was repeatedly used in later installments of the series as well as in animated productions. To this day, it is associated with humor and a sense of mystery.
An interesting fact is that the filmmakers deliberately used music to build both tension and comedy. In many scenes, it is the soundtrack that emphasizes the absurdity of the situation. Thanks to this, the film maintains a light and rhythmic tone.
Conflicts on Set and Tension Between Actors
The production was not without conflicts. Peter Sellers and David Niven had very different approaches to their work. Sellers was known for improvisation and often changed dialogue or character behavior during filming.
The tension on set was noticeable. Nevertheless, the final result exceeded the producers’ expectations. The film became a box-office success and opened the door for future installments.
Over time, The Pink Panther became more than just a film.
After the success of the first movie, more installments followed. Inspector Clouseau returned to the screen across different decades. In 2006, a remake titled The Pink Panther was released, starring Steve Martin in the lead role.
The new version introduced the story to a younger generation of viewers. Although opinions were divided, the brand still attracted attention.
The animated panther from the opening credits developed a life of its own. Television series, short films, and numerous merchandise products were created. The distinctive character became an icon of 1960s and 1970s pop culture.
Although The Pink Panther is associated with lightness and elegant humor, working on the film was not always easy.
During filming, Claudia Cardinale did not speak English. Her lines were therefore re-recorded in the studio by another person. The audience did not notice the difference, and the actress was able to fully focus on her performance and screen presence.
During the filming of one of the bath scenes featuring Capucine and Robert Wagner, a strong foaming agent was used. The substance turned out to be too intense and caused skin irritation for the actors. Wagner, who at one point was completely submerged in foam, later experienced serious vision problems and needed several weeks to recover.
