A Shot in the Dark (DVD, 2009, Remastered)

Blake Edwards' Director's Commentary in "The Pink Panther" reveals that "A Shot in the Dark" was not a planned follow-up to then-recently released "The Pink Panther", but was instead, a drastic re-write and re-work of a film that Peter Sellers was already contracted to do. After the conclusion of filming for "Pink Panther", Sellers brought the script (from a stage play) to Edwards and begged assistance on it. (Sets were already in construction for the film.) Edwards told him the only way he could see the film working was to re-write it completely for the character of Inspector Clouseau that Sellers had created for "Pink Panther", where he had been a last-minute replacement for Peter Ustinov. Edwards' production team gained the rights, and a classic was born.
"Shot in the Dark" introduces the mainstays of the "Panther" movies: Herbert Lom being driven crazy as Chief Inspector Dreyfus; Burt Kwok's role of Cato comes in from left field as Clouseau orders him to attack him at all times; and the pattern of countless deaths occurring around Clouseau, to which he is completely oblivious. Interestingly, there is no reference to his wife of the first film in "Shot". Also, Sellers' friend Graham Stark is perfect as the suffering side-kick Hercule in "Shot" and Stark appears in all the subsequent "Panther" films in one role or another.
This is my favorite of the Panther films, as Sellers' enthusiasm for the role is clear, and the plot (adapted from a very different stage play) is a very driving force in the film. Also, Henry Mancini's score is just outstanding in this picture, and in fact, occupies the entire first 10 minutes or so of the film, with the lovely song "Shadows of Paris" used as a backdrop for the introduction of the affairs of the Ballon household, followed by four gunshots, then driving right into the main "Shot in the Dark" theme, which was used for the "Inspector" portions of the old cartoon series. This theme is performed in the buff by Mancini's band at one point in the movie.
About the only thing I've never figured out is all of the English accents used in the film set in France, but the movie is still great. -Bob

I LOVE THIS MOVIE! ITS HILLARIOUS AND A CLASSIC! I SAW IT ON T.V. AND JUST HAD TO BUY IT! I LOVE THE FUNNY THINGS THAT THE PINK PANTHER DOES-HE ALWAYS MANAGES TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT! YOU'LL ENJOY IT!

Excellent movie. Excellent condition. Good price. Shipped soon. Peter Sellers at his greatest! Very, very funy!

Excellent product, fast shipment. Great movie. I have always wanted a copy of the "true" Pink Panther movie.

Peter Sellers was a wonderful actor. This is a very old movie. They never show great ones on TV, hardly.

The DVD is exactly what I wanted-- it was actually a gift for my dad's birthday and he hadn't seen the movie since it was in the theaters, so it was a pleasant surprise for him. I ordered the movie a couple days before my dad's birthday, but the shipping took longer than expected and it didn't come in until the week after his birthday. I believe that it could have been sent sooner, but as was described in the seller's information, the movie was sent 3-5 days after the order was placed. Other than that, everything was perfect and I really appreciate everything!