A Shot in the Dark

Starring:Peter Sellers, Elke Sommer, George Sanders, Herbert Lom, Tracy Reed (II), Graham Stark, Moira Redmond, Vanda Godsell, Maurice Kaufmann, Ann Lynn, David Lodge, AndrÃ© Maranne, Martin Benson, Burt Kwouk, Reginald Beckwith, Douglas Wilmer, Bryan Forbes, Andre Charisse, Howard Greene, John Herrington
Director: Blake Edwards
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com essential video

Cue the Henry Mancini music and watch out for Cato--the gist of the Pink Panther series has been gathered in a six-disc boxed set. At the center of it is Peter Sellers's incarnation of inspector Jacques Clouseau, a hopelessly bumbling detective with a genius for resting his hands in the wrong place (on the surface of a spinning globe, for instance) and mangling the English language.

Writer-director Blake Edwards cast Peter Ustinov as Clouseau in The Pink Panther, but Ustinov dropped out just before shooting began. Edwards (who recounts this story in a spotty commentary track included here) and Sellers bonded over their affection for Laurel and Hardy, and immediately transformed the character of Clouseau into a walking sight gag. The first film has a delicious swinging sixties vibe, while jewel thief David Niven, Claudia Cardinale, and Capucine occupy as much screen time as Sellers. Sellers really hits his stride in A Shot in the Dark, an elegantly funny tale of Clouseau sleuthing out a murder investigation. This one introduced Herbert Lom, as the increasingly frazzled Inspector Dreyfus, and Burt Kwouk, as Clouseau's houseboy-nemesis Cato. Sellers and Edwards, whose relationship was stormy, put Clouseau aside for over 10 years, until a trilogy of mid-1970s comedies restored the character to commercial (and dare we say cultural) primacy.

Unfortunately, the very funny comeback picture, Return of the Pink Panther, is absent from this set due to rights issues with the studios involved. The Pink Panther Strikes Again has Dreyfus going bananas and targeting Clouseau; Revenge of the Pink Panther puts Clouseau in a hilarious series of disguises, climaxing in a wonderfully mounted sequence in Hong Kong. (Throughout the series, the calm, classical staging of gags by Blake Edwards reminds you of what a lost art this has become.) Trail of the Pink Panther looks better now than it did when originally released in 1982, shortly after Sellers's death; it's a batch of unused Sellers routines from previous pictures, strung together with a loose plot. In other words, it's a "deleted scenes" extra, and quite funny at times.

Subsequent efforts Curse of the Pink Panther and Son of the Pink Panther are neither included nor mentioned. A half-hour documentary gives pleasant memories from Edwards, but feels incomplete. The cartoon Panther gets his own 11-minute mini-doc, plus six cartoon shorts including the Oscar-winning "The Pink Phink." --Robert Horton

Description

Disc 1: THE PINK PANTHER Disc 2: REVENGE OF THE PINK PANTHER Disc 3: THE PINK PANTHER STRIKES AGAIN Disc 4: A SHOT IN THE DARK Disc 5: TRAIL OF THE PINK PANTHER Disc 6: BONUS DISC

Customer Reviews:

Hilarious!.......2007-05-09

Just 4 stars. The missing one is for the missing "The Return of the Pink Panther (1974)". If you are looking for extreme and healthy fun, no one could it be better than Sellers to pop ups your laughings, he was great doing any role. This is a delicious collection, just improve the one buying the missing "..return", and of course..."The Party"

Review of The Pink Panther Film Collection.......2007-01-17

It is absolutely first class entertainment. It is intelligent, witty, silly, "classy" - something we rarely achieve these days. Gather your family and give them an education in how to develop a keen sense of humor or, even better, invite your friends to watch - don't forget the martinis.
LGP

Purchased as a gift.......2007-01-13

My dad was always talking about how he wanted this boxed set on DVD since he found out it existed. Christmas rolled around and he hadn't mentioned it in a while, so I surprised him with it and he was thrilled. The set is very nicely packaged, very high quality, and looks very nice. Also, my dad was pleased to see a couple of the lesser known movies (he said two are very common on TV but the others you hardly ever see). He's very happy with it, and I am very happy with my purchase. Well worth the money!

Pink Panther Film Collecton.......2007-01-10

The package arrived in excellent shape and the DVD's are all perfect. If you like the Pink Panther its a great buy.

What's not to like about Peter Sellers?.......2007-01-06

Fun to watch and relive these fine films on a nice wide-screen plasma TV. It will take you back to a more innocent age. Hard to watch if you are using a 27" tube set however.

Average customer rating:

A Shot in the Dark
Elke looks great!
I'll get you next time Closseau next time
"I believe everything and I believe nothing. I suspect everyone and I suspect no one."
Funny, Funny, Funny

A Shot in the Dark
Starring: Peter Sellers , Elke Sommer , George Sanders , Herbert Lom , and Tracy Reed (II)
Director: Blake Edwards
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

The Pink Panther
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Trail of the Pink Panther

ASIN: B0009S4J3M
Release Date: 2006-01-31

Amazon.com essential video

Blake Edwards's Inspector Clouseau films really took their complete shape with this second movie in the series, which features star Peter Sellers really tweaking that French accent and key supporting players Herbert Lom, Burt Kwouk, and André Maranne (all getting on board for the first time). The story finds Sellers refusing to believe in the guilt of a beautiful woman (Elke Sommer) accused of murder, and there are a number of hilarious sequences, including one in which Clouseau goes "undercover" at a nudist colony. Arguably the best of the films, A Shot in the Dark definitely finds Edwards honing a seamless blend of slapstick, brilliant timing, verbal wit, a great cast, and Sellers's brilliance into a unique experience. --Tom Keogh

Description

Get ready for a "riotous" (Boxoffice) adventure as Peter Sellers returns as the hapless Inspector Clouseau in his second Pink Panther film. Introducing Herbert Lom as his long-suffering superior Dreyfus and Burt Kwouk as his mysterious manservant and sparring partner Cato, this frenetic comedy is "a series of laughs from beginning to end, with never a lull to catch your breath" (LA Herald-Examiner)! Assigned to a high-profile murder case, Clouseau finds himself falling (literally) for the prime suspect - a beautiful maid named Maria (Elke Sommer), whose talent for being in the wrong place atthe wrong time almost rivals Clouseau's. But as the body count grows higher, and Maria's criminal record grows longer, Clouseau will have to find the real culprit quickly...or his career will be finit!

Customer Reviews:

A Shot in the Dark.......2007-06-27

Bearing all the hilarious hallmarks of Edwards's Pink Panther films, this second entry in the popular series finds pratfall artist Sellers tumbling into a pond, warding off nocturnal judo attacks from assistant Kato (Burt Kwouk), and trying to bed the woman literally found holding a smoking gun. Sellers is at his nutty best, the ravishing Sommer is slyly seductive, and Herbert Lom gives his Chief Inspector Dreyfus plenty of agitated gravitas. For a murder mystery heavy on inspired sight gags and goofy punch lines, "A Shot in the Dark" hits the bull's-eye.

Elke looks great!.......2007-04-08

This is my favorite Pink Panther movie and the only one without "Pink Panther" in it's title. Peter Sellers does his usual great job as the inspector but Elke Sommer really classes this one up. A better story line than the others. Highly recommeded for any Pink Panther fan.

I'll get you next time Closseau next time.......2007-03-17

This movie was an unusual one in the series for unlike the other five that came about before or after this on it has a separate storey that involves officer Closeau and Inspector Drifus. The pink panther diamond is never mentioned or spoken of in this movie. In the movie the original Closeau has just been sent to investigate a murder. Just like in the recent 2006 remake of the original 60 verison of the original movie Closeau is in this and the other movies and equally clumsy and stupid police officer who gets none or little respect from his boss Inspector Drifus and the other members of the police force. The prime suspect is a young woman in here mid 20s. It's up to Closeau to prove here innocence to a super doubtful Inspector Drifus. A word of warning due to a high death count in this movie of at least 5 people maybe more in addition to occasional violence, thematic elements, several dozen super confiscated slapstick gags in addition to two somewhat long scenes of nudity which last some where in between 3 to 20 minutes of the total running time of the whole entire movie. As a result of the things listed in bold above this movie might not be appropriate or may be questionable for kids under the 12 years of age depending on how strict there parents or guardians are about what they watch at there age. Will Inspector Closeau solve the case find out in the thrilling conclusion to this 1960s masterpiece.

"I believe everything and I believe nothing. I suspect everyone and I suspect no one.".......2007-01-23

The second of the five Pink Panther features (I don't count 1982's Trail of the Pink Panther since it was mainly deleted scenes and outtakes cobbled together from previous films), A Shot in the Dark (1964) was the first to actually star Peter Sellers (What's New, Pussycat, The Party, Murder by Death) in his signature role as the ever bumbling Inspector Jacques Clouseau (The original Pink Panther film featured David Niven as a well to do cat burglar, while Seller's role as Clouseau was more of a supporting one). Produced, directed, and co-written by Blake Edwards ("Peter Gunn", The Party, Revenge of the Pink Panther), the other co-writer being William Peter Blatty (The Exorcist), the film includes Elke Sommer (Baron Blood), Herbert Lom (Spartacus), George Sanders (Village of the Damned), Tracy Reed (Casino Royale), Graham Stark (The Return of the Pink Panther), and Burt Kwouk (You Only Live Twice).

As the film begins we see various figures furtively sneaking about a large, French chateau, punctuated by some gunshot ringing out in the night. We soon learn a passionate Spaniard chauffeur has been murdered, and a housekeeper named Maria Gambrelli (Sommer) is prime suspect, due to the fact she was found in the room with the body, holding a smoking gun in her hand. As it turns out the murder occurred on the estate of a wealthy businessman named Benjamin Ballon (Sanders) and Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Sellers), mistakenly assigned to the case, soon makes the scene, along with his assistant Hercule (Stark)...I say mistakenly as given the prominence of those involved, Chief Inspector Dreyfus (Lom), who despises Clouseau with a passion due to his bumbling antics, would have never knowingly allowed Clouseau to investigate such a delicate case. Anyway, Clouseau is quickly removed from the investigation but is soon re-instated as interested parties, for reasons unknown, pull a few strings on his behalf. As Clouseau blunders his way forward, he's convince Maria didn't commit the murder, and that she's covering for someone else, but one wonders if Clouseau's belief stems from the fact he's quickly falling for the accused. Things go seriously awry as Clouseau tries various methods to determine the identity of the killer, which really only results in two thing, the first being an increasing body count as various members of the Ballon household suffer deaths by unnatural causes, and the second being to drive Chief Inspector Dreyfus further and further to the brink of insanity. Not only that, but a mysterious assassin is on the loose, intent on killing Clouseau himself! Things eventually come to a head once Clouseau gathers all interested parties in one room, the intent being to expose the killer who he surely believes is among the group.

Many would say A Shot in the Dark is the best among the Pink Panther films, and I'd be hard pressed to argue, but I've always been partial to The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976), the one where Dreyfus, after escaping an asylum, threatens to destroy the world unless in an effort to coerce the nations of the world to send their best assassins to eliminate Clouseau once and for all. While A Shot in the Dark may not have been as screwball as some of the later Pink Panther films, it's still extremely funny, entertaining and worth most anyone's time given the strength of the writing and the wonderful performances. Sellers is, well Sellers, the bumbling, awkward, nincompoop of a detective who, somehow always manages to come out on top (but not without a few bumps and bruises along the way). It's difficult picturing anyone else in the role after seeing Sellers' performances, but we were given the opportunity to do so with a 2006 release starring Steve Martin. I have yet to see the new film, but I really have no desire to do so as I don't think it will live up to the originals. Sellers had perfected the role, and I have little interest in seeing someone else trying to top something I doubt could be topped. Anyway, Sellers is helped along the way with great performances by Herbert Lom, as Clouseau's beleaguered supervisor and Graham Stark as Clouseau's unfortunate assistant. Throw in a lot humorous dialogue, goofy situations galore, and Henry Mancini's memorable scoring and you've got one heck of a comedic adventure. Some of my more favored parts of the film include the running gags, particularly the one where Clouseau dons any number of disguises, all of which end up in him being arrested for various misdemeanors (in one scene he's disguised as a street vendor selling balloons in order to follow Maria unnoticed, but he's quickly arrested as he doesn't possess a street vendor's license). Another great sequence occurs when Clouseau tries to follows Maria surreptitiously into a nudist colony, and he can't gain entrance until he strips down himself. I've never seen so many carefully place set pieces as to obscure all the naughty bits inappropriate for a PG rated film. And then there are the various bits with Clouseau's manservant Kato (in the later films he's known as Cato), played by Burt Kwouk, who's instructed by his employer to attack Clouseau when he least expects it, if only to continually improve his employers ability to deal with the unexpected. Finally there's the finale, as Clouseau gathers those remaining in one room, and gets a whole lot more than he bargained for once the revelations begin coming at a furious pace. All in all this is a terrific murder/mystery comedy, one worth watching more than once.

The picture, presented in both widescreen anamorphic (2.35:1) and fullscreen (1.33:1), looks very clean, and the Dolby Digital mono audio, available in both English and French, comes through clearly. As far as extras, there's an eight page booklet, an original theatrical trailer, and subtitles in English and French. There's also a hidden feature, one that can be found by clicking on the title on the main menu, revealing a vintage promotional ad.

Cookieman108

By the way, if you don't happen to own any of The Pink Panther films on DVD but are interested in buying them, look for The Pink Panther Film Collection DVD set which includes The Pink Panther (1963), A Shot in the Dark (1964), The Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976), Revenge of the Pink Panther (1978), and Trail of the Pink Panther (1982). The only one not included within the set is The Return of the Pink Panther (1975), only because MGM somehow lost the rights to the film to Universal Pictures, who did release the movie onto DVD in 2006 (thankfully).

Funny, Funny, Funny.......2007-01-18

No one can top Peter Sellers as Inspector Closeau. Even Steve Martin, who I love, can't hold a candle to Sellers. I saw this movie at Fort Jackson when I was stationed there in 1965. My buddies and I went to see it several times and almost rolled in the aisles with laughter. When I saw it on Amazon, I just had to buy it. He still has me rolling in the aisles.

Average customer rating:

A Shot in the Dark
Elke looks great!
I'll get you next time Closseau next time
"I believe everything and I believe nothing. I suspect everyone and I suspect no one."
Funny, Funny, Funny

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Slapstick | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Farce | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Comic Criminals | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

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Family Films | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video

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Similar Items:

The Pink Panther
Return of the Pink Panther
The Pink Panther Strikes Again
Revenge of the Pink Panther
Trail of the Pink Panther

ASIN: 6305308713
Release Date: 1999-03-23

Amazon.com essential video

If you could choose only one Pink Panther movie, your best bet would be A Shot in the Dark--ironic, since it's the only entry in the series that doesn't mention the Pink Panther or even feature the cartoon cat in its opening credits. The title and basic plot are taken from the play by Harry Kurnitz, which in turn was adapted from the French stage comedy L'Idiote, but those plays were completely reconceived by director Blake Edwards, who cowrote the screenplay with William Peter Blatty (yes, the writer of The Exorcist!) and turned the film into a showcase for Peter Sellers and a nonstop parade of slapstick gags and pratfalls. This time Inspector Clouseau is accidentally assigned to track a gorgeous, high-profile murder suspect (Elke Sommer), who is connected to several Parisian murders by circumstantial evidence. Believing her to be innocent when all clues indicate otherwise, Clouseau captures his suspect and releases her several times, to the dismay of Chief Inspector Dreyfus (Herbert Lom), but the plot here is arguably beside the point. As a bumbling variation of Hercule Poirot, Sellers steals the show, refining Clouseau's persona--including his outrageous karate duels with his tenacious valet, Cato (Bert Kwouk)--and nonchalantly waltzing through a plot involving numerous disguises and at least a dozen murders. Some scenes are so funny that you could swear the actors are about to crack up laughing, so you laugh even harder when supporting players such as Graham Stark (as Clouseau's tolerant assistant, Hercule) hold a perfectly deadpan expression. Of all the Pink Panther movies, this is the one that fires on all pistons, with Edwards and Sellers in peak form, servicing a traditional farce that brought out the best in their inspired collaboration. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

A Shot in the Dark.......2007-06-27

Elke looks great!.......2007-04-08

I'll get you next time Closseau next time.......2007-03-17

"I believe everything and I believe nothing. I suspect everyone and I suspect no one.".......2007-01-23

Funny, Funny, Funny.......2007-01-18

Average customer rating:

WHY???

Shot in the Dark, A
Starring: Ralph Brooks , Herbert Bunston , James Bush , Helen Jerome Eddy , and Jane Keckley
Director: Charles Lamont , and William McGann
Manufacturer: Alpha Home Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000HXDETO
Release Date: 2006-10-24

Product Description

A collage football hero is on the trail of a campus serial killer.

Customer Reviews:

WHY???.......2007-06-16

The Alpha release of this Chesterfield chestnut is OK. I would say it is about par for the course for Alpha, meaning that it looks like a transfer from a VHS copy. There is a new wrinkle, though: Alpha has started placing a translucent logo in the top right hand corner of the picture during the credits. I did not see it at any other time during the movie.

Average customer rating:

A Shot In The Dark
Director: Leonel Vieira
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Product Description

In a Rio De Janeiro airport, a TAP stewardess kidnaps a two-month-old baby girl. Two years later, the distraught mother is living in Lisbon. In order to survive, she works in a "strip-tease" bar but spends most of her time in the airport hoping to find the stewardess who took her daughter. Then one night she is fired from her job and without money. she joins a gang if ex-security guards from the bar and stays in their hideout. She becomes involved with a series of bank robberies. Soon she is tracked by the police inspector who also seems to have something to hide. Is it possible, between police and robbers that she will still find her daughter? THIS FILM IS ONLY IN PORTUGUESE

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