Sunday, Sky Arts, 8:00pm
Blake Edwards’ The Pink Panther (1963) introduced the world to the bumbling yet oddly effective Inspector Jacques Clouseau, played with impeccable comic timing by Peter Sellers. Ostensibly about a suave jewel thief, Sir Charles Lytton (David Niven), and his attempt to steal the legendary Pink Panther diamond, the film quickly becomes a masterclass in slapstick farce, thanks to Clouseau’s antics. The film's blend of high society sophistication, heist intrigue, and downright silliness turned it into an enduring classic, spawning sequels, reboots, and a particularly unfortunate CGI cat in later adaptations.
But the real star of the show? Henry Mancini’s iconic score. The Pink Panther Theme is one of the most recognisable pieces of film music ever written—a slinky, cool jazz masterpiece performed by saxophonist Plas Johnson. It’s got that effortless, nocturnal swagger that immediately evokes images of jewel thieves in tuxedos, martinis in hand. Mancini, already an established composer with Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Peter Gunn under his belt, created a score that is as mischievous as Clouseau himself, effortlessly moving between playful jazz and grand orchestration. Even today, it’s impossible to hear those first few saxophone notes without picturing the animated pink feline sauntering across the screen.
The soundtrack was an instant classic, earning Mancini a Grammy for Best Instrumental Arrangement. Over the years, it has been endlessly covered, referenced, and parodied in pop culture. It’s the kind of music that makes you feel sophisticated even when you’re tripping over a rug, much like Clouseau himself. The Pink Panther proved that a great score doesn’t just complement a film—it becomes part of its identity. And in this case, it stole the show as deftly as any gentleman thief could hope to.
- Paul Allen