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 ***

Return of the Pink Panther (1975)

After 11 years, Peter Sellers reunited with Blake Edwards to give us another movie with Inspector
Clouseau, Kato, and Chief Inspector Dreyfus. In this one, Christopher Plummer and Catherine Schell are pursued by Clouseau after the fabled Pink Panther Diamond is stolen. Better than the next two Pink Panther movies, it has all the standard gags: Kato and Clouseau fight, Dreyfus blows his top, and Sellers does slapstick. The actors do well enough - but there's no real story, and the supporting cast isn't given much to do. Sellers is the whole movie. Best Comic Scenes:

• Clouseau argues with a "Blind" musician while ignoring a robbery
• Sellers tries to tap Plummer's "Phene".
• A Bell boy and Clouseau try to avoid Schell in her Sauna
• Dressed as a "Swinger"  Clouseau tries to picks up Schell at the Hotel Bar

Summary:  The 3rd Best Pink Panther movie, it hits all the standard notes, and has a few good laugh- out-loud moments.  Unlike The Pink Panther or even Shot in the Dark,  Seller's completely dominates the movie. If you don't like Seller's slapstick, you're in for a very long 2 hours.  Rating ** 1/2

The Pink Panther (1963)

 Starring David Niven and Capucine.  Supported by Peter Sellers and Robert Wagner.  This is completely different from the ensuing Pink Panther movies of the 60s and 70s, which properly should be labeled "Inspector Clouseau" movies. Here, a more realistic, although still funny, Peter Sellers supports the two stars.  Incredibly,  Capucine is married to Inspector Clouseau!  

The production values are very high, and  an aging Niven is good as the master jewel thief.  This is more of a romantic comedy than the other Pink Panther films. We get some laughs, but there's much less slapstick.  The "Man in the Bedroom Closet" farce has rightly become famous.  

Summary:  Taken as a whole, this is my favorite Pink Panther film. While its doesn't hit the comedic highs of the other films,  you don't have the dull lows either.  A well done romantic comedy.  Rating ***

Pink Panther Strikes Again (1976)

I've been watching the Pink Panther movies, and this one is definitely better than Revenge of the Pink Panther. Herbert Lom and Sellers had great chemistry together & we get a lot of Lom. However, its very cartoonish and silly, with Dreyfus becoming a Bond Super-villain & trying to kill Inspector Clouseau. In addition to a beautiful Lesly-Ann Down, we get the following hilarious scenes:

1)  Lom is leaving the Insane Asylum until Clouseau  shows up to "help" him.

2) Clouseau interrogates the Staff at an English Country Home.

3) Lom uses the old "Finger-nails on the Chalkboard" torture. 

Unfortunately, this is balanced out by a lot of "idiot comedy",  forced slapstick (Sellers spends 10 minutes trying to get over a moat),  a tedious fight with Kato, etc.  Summary:  A very uneven comedy. 20 minutes of very good slapstick,  20 minutes are OK, and remaining 60 minutes childish and dull.  Rating ** 1/2

Revenge of the Pink Panther (1978)

 The third and last of the 1970's Pink Panther movies with Peter Sellers.* Its a rather dull movie, with Inspector Clouseau going through the motions. . I fast-forwarded through the meandering plot, and filler,  to find some laughs without success. The reliable Robert Webber is wasted.  Summary:  The 3rd Pink Panther movie in as many years -  the formula was exhausted.  For Peter Sellers fans only  Rating **

* = Blake Edwards made Trail of the Pink Panther 18 months after Peter Sellers death by using deleted scenes from other movies. 

56 Greatest Musicals

1. A Star is Born (1954)
2. 42nd Street 
3. An American in Paris 
4. Band Wagon 
5. Blues Brothers 
6. Broadway Melody of 1936 
7. Buddy Holly Story 
8. Cabin in the sky
9. Carman (1983)
10. Carousel
11. Damn Yankees
12. Easter parade
13. Everyone Says I Love You
14. Fantasia 
15. Funny Face
16. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes 
17. Gigi 
18. Going My way
19. Guys and Dolls 
20. Hard Day’s Night
21. How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying 
22. Jungle Book (1967)
23. King and I
24. La Bohème, by Franco Zeffirelli
25. La Traviata
26. Lady and the Tramp
27. Le Million
28. Love me or leave me
29. Magic Flute
30. Mary Poppins
31. Meet Me in St. Louis
32. Music Man
33. My Fair Lady
34. Oliver! (1968)
35. On Moonlight Bay
36. On the Town (1949)
37. Pajama Game 
38. Pete Kelly's Blues
39. Road to Utopia
40. Robin and the Seven Hoods
41. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers 
42. Singin’ in the Rain
43. Singing Detective - TV Series
44. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
45. Sound of Music
46. South Park
47. Swing-time
48. Take Me Out to the Ball Game
49. That's Entertainment Part I
50. That's Entertainment Part II
51. Top Hat
52. Topsy-Turvy
53. Umbrellas of Cherbourg
54. White Christmas
55. Wizard of Oz
56. Yankee Doodle Dandy

La Verite (1960) - Clouzot

Superb French courtroom drama starring Brigitte Bardot as a "bad girl" on trial for Murder One. Did she murder her ex-lover in cold blood or was it a crime of passion? Kept me interested from start to finish and Bardot shows unexpected range and acting ability. The script keeps us guessing throughout, and the acting by everyone is first rate. Another Plus? The always enjoyable shots of 1960s Paris. This isn't the best of Clouzot's film's - I'd rank it about 5th below "The Crow" "wages of fear" Quai des Orfèvres and Diabolique, but its pretty damn good.  

Summary:  Not  a great movie - but one of best courtroom dramas I've seen. Having sexy 26 year-old Bardot as the lead doesn't hurt.  Thank you Criterion.  Rating *** 1/2