10-07-2019, 09:39 AM
'Inspector Clouseau' [1968]
After having watched 'The Pink Panther' and 'A shot in the dark' within the last two weeks, I decided to view this 1968 film, the next in the Pink Panther/Inspector Clouseau franchise. It is the first one not to feature Peter Sellers (a few more were made following his death in the 80s) and was not directed by Blake Edwards. No other recurring characters feature - Dreyfuss or Cato, for example - and no recognisable Mancini score. There is, however, a Depatie-Freleng cartoon title sequence to at least offer an air of authenticity.
Unfortunately, and perhaps not surprisingly, the film itself is a failure. Alan Arkin tries his best to recreate Sellers effortless bumbling as Clouseau, but it just doesn't work. Maybe the gags aren't strong enough or the delivery falls flat, but I laughed only once during its 96 minutes. There are many familiar British character actors on show, who are putting on a brave face throughout this fiasco, including Beryl Reid sporting an outrageous Scottish accent. (Side note, I was a wine waiter to her once, many years ago. Not much of a claim to fame, admittedly.)
Not content with riding Sellers coattails, this film also tries to spoof the gadget-laden Bond films, with equally dismal results. The original trailer featured on the blu-ray is actually well-done and might have got me to the cinema, were I alive in 1968, making it seem like a madcap laughfest. It isn't, though.
After having watched 'The Pink Panther' and 'A shot in the dark' within the last two weeks, I decided to view this 1968 film, the next in the Pink Panther/Inspector Clouseau franchise. It is the first one not to feature Peter Sellers (a few more were made following his death in the 80s) and was not directed by Blake Edwards. No other recurring characters feature - Dreyfuss or Cato, for example - and no recognisable Mancini score. There is, however, a Depatie-Freleng cartoon title sequence to at least offer an air of authenticity.
Unfortunately, and perhaps not surprisingly, the film itself is a failure. Alan Arkin tries his best to recreate Sellers effortless bumbling as Clouseau, but it just doesn't work. Maybe the gags aren't strong enough or the delivery falls flat, but I laughed only once during its 96 minutes. There are many familiar British character actors on show, who are putting on a brave face throughout this fiasco, including Beryl Reid sporting an outrageous Scottish accent. (Side note, I was a wine waiter to her once, many years ago. Not much of a claim to fame, admittedly.)
Not content with riding Sellers coattails, this film also tries to spoof the gadget-laden Bond films, with equally dismal results. The original trailer featured on the blu-ray is actually well-done and might have got me to the cinema, were I alive in 1968, making it seem like a madcap laughfest. It isn't, though.
It's not the years, it's the mileage.
I'm writing a book! Check out my progress at Good Morning, Page or on Facebook or Twitter
I'm writing a book! Check out my progress at Good Morning, Page or on Facebook or Twitter
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