The Pink Panther (1963)

Happy Birthday !!!!!

Legendary TV and film actor Robert Wagner turns 86 today.  He was born on this day in 1930.  

Wikipedia.org Article for Robert Wagner:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Wagner

You may know him as Jonathan Hart on the beloved TV series Hart to Hart (1979-1984), opposite the beautiful Stefanie Powers and as Dr. Evil's Number Two Guy in the Austin Powers Movies.  Lots of Powers here.

Hart to Hart Show Open on YouTube:


But, as we have said before, this is a blog about movies, so let's enjoy one of Robert Wagner's classic film appearances in the Blake Edward's classic ......

The Pink Panther (1963)



Run Time:  115 mins
Genre:  Comedy, Crime, Romance
Format:  Widescreen Format, Color
Director:   Blake Edwards
Starring:  David Niven, Peter Sellers, Robert Wagner, Claudia Cardinale and Capucine

IMDB.com Entry for the film:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057413/?ref_=nv_sr_2

Wikipedia.org Article for the film:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pink_Panther_(1963_film)

Wikipedia.org Article for David Niven:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Niven

Wikipedia.org Article for Peter Sellers:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Sellers

Wikipedia.org Article for Claudia Cardinale:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claudia_Cardinale

Wikipedia.org Article for Capucine:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capucine

Wikipedia.org Article for Director Blake Edwards:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blake_Edwards

Trailer for the film on YouTube:

This is that classic story that invented a classic cartoon character.  David Niven's cat burglar tries to steal the Pink Panther jewel and Peter Sellers' clumsy Inspector Clousea is trying to catch him.  In the meantime, Niven's nephew George (Robert Wagner), gets caught up in the melie' as well.  It is classic comedy mayhem at its best.  

This film would spawn seven or eight sequels and two remakes.  The love of this franchise was so strong they couldn't stop making more films even after Peter Sellers had already died.  They just used archival footage.

The original 1963 film has it all.  Along, with beautiful snowy scenery and skiing scenes and great comedy from Peter Sellers.  It also has great eye candy in the guise of Capucine and introducing the extremely hot Claudia Cardinale.  The film is directed by one of my favorite Directors, Blake Edwards and it has a huge 7.2 on the IMDB.com.  Let's not forget David Niven and Robert Wagner.  This film was remade in 2006 with Steve Martin, doing his best to capture the magic of Peter Sellers and I must admit, the remake was pretty cool too. - Phil

Trailer for the Steve Martin Pink Panther (2006), on YouTube:


Wikipedia.org Article for the Pink Panther Cartoon character:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pink_Panther_(character)

Just for Fun !!!!  - As mentioned before this film would introduce to the world the unique and lovable character known as the Pink Panther.  Here is the Panther in his first cartoon in The Pink Phink (1964) :



Click the link below at GoWatchIt.com to see where you can stream or watch The Pink Panther (1963) online or on TV right now:
http://gowatchit.com/movies/the-pink-panther-12211

Or check out TVGuide.com to see if this film is playing on TV/Cable in your area:
http://www.tvguide.com/movies/the-pink-panther/109238/

Check back in tomorrow ......................
For our next Film of the Day .....................