A Shot in the Dark (1964)

This is a close second to The Pink Panther (1963) as the best Pink Panther movie and its certainly the best "inspector Clouseau" movie. Compared  to the succeeding movies it has a better plot, better supporting characters, and better done slapstick. Sellers, while now firmly in the Clouseau character (complete with funny accent) is more restrained then expected. I especially liked the absence of Seller's "Forcing" and "Extending" the comic bits. The slapstick adds to the story, instead of stopping it in its tracks. Most it usually ends after a short fall or "Bemp" on the head. Funniest scenes:

• The final scene - Sellers solves the murder
• A pool game between Clouseau and George Sanders
• Clouseau interrogates the Staff

Summary: While some other Inspector Clouseau movies have funnier individual scenes, Shot in the Dark has fewer dull spots than any other Pink panther movie. It also has George Sanders and Elke Sommers.  Rating ***