PETER SELLERS (1925 - 1980)

Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau

PETER SELLERS (1925 - 1980).

Peter Sellers -- terrible to think that this genius died at only 55 years of age when there was so much else that he could have done. Sellers started out as a radio and TV comedy star, and appeared in early pictures as a kind of portly schnook. Losing weight, he was transformed into a leading man with the likes of no less than Sophia Loren and others. He became known as a brilliant comic actor, but he was just as good in his rare dramatic roles, and the height of his fame came when he played Inspector Clouseau in a number of Pink Panther movies. Sellers could be difficult in his private life, having mercurial relationships with his wives and children, although he was also said to be a loyal friend and often committed acts of extreme generosity.  In any case, the most important thing about the man is his talent, which is on display in so many movies, including some of which we examine this week. For a large number of Sellers' films that have already been reviewed on this blog, type his name in the search bar on the upper left hand corner. Thank you!

INSPECTOR CLOUSEAU

Alan Arkin as Inspector Clouseau

INSPECTOR CLOUSEAU (1968). Director: Bud Yorkin.

Commissioner Braithwaite (Patrick Cargill) of Scotland Yard is dismayed to learn that the Prime Minister insists he bring in an outsider, Inspector Clouseau, to track down a gang of thieves who have been quite difficult to apprehend. Another problem is that the members of the gang hit upon the idea of wearing face masks that make them look just like Clouseau. Alan Arkin had the unenviable task of stepping into the very large shoes of Peter Sellers, and while he's a talented actor, and arguably a "sexier" Clouseau, he just can't quite make the role his own. Cargill is another talented actor, but he won't make anyone forget Herbert Lom as Clouseau's favorite foil. Barry Foster of Hitchcock's Frenzy is also in the cast, as are Frank Finlay (The Deadly Bees, Twisted Nerve) as a Superintendent and Beryl Reid, amusing as his wife. Delia Boccardo is the pretty undercover cop who assists Clouseau. Inspector Clouseau isn't terrible, there's a lot of talent on screen, but it's the weakest of the films showcasing the weird French policeman. Steve Martin was somewhat more effective as Clouseau, playing it more farcically. It probably doesn't help that this was directed by Bud Yorkin and not Blake Edwards.

Verdict: Stick with Sellers. **1/2.

THE RETURN OF THE PINK PANTHER

THE RETURN OF THE PINK PANTHER (1975). Director: Blake Edwards.

12 years after making The Pink Panther [and its sequel A Shot in the Dark] Peter Sellers and Blake Edwards revived their careers by re-teaming in another Inspector Clouseau comedy. The Pink Panther diamond has again been stolen, and fingers point at the Phantom (now played by Christopher Plummer), who is married and retired and innocent of the crime. He determines to discover who it is, just as Clouseau (Peter Sellers) is put on the case at the request of the museum from which the gem was lifted. [There's no attempt at continuity with the original films. Clouseau is seen as the man who "solved" the pink panther case, even though he was actually arrested for the crime at the end of The Pink Panther.] Catherine Schell is the Phantom's wife, and Herbert Lom is back as Inspector Dreyfus (his murder spree in A Shot in the Dark being similarly forgotten). Sellers and Lom are wonderful, Schell is competent, and Plummer, running around breaking fingers in a sadistic fashion you can't imagine David Niven [who played the part originally] employing, exhibits all the charm of a rabid skunk. Despite that, the movie is a welcome addition to the Clouseau filmography.

Verdict: Imperfect but very amusing. ***.