Son of the Pink Panther

Infobox Film | name =Son of the Pink Panther
director = Blake Edwards
producer = Tony Adams
writer = Blake Edwards
Maurice Richlin
(Characters)
Blake Edwards
Madeline Sunshine
Steve Sunshine
(screenplay)
starring = Roberto Benigni
Herbert Lom
Claudia Cardinale
music = Henry Mancini
cinematography =
editing =
distributor = MGM/UA Entertainment Co.
Filmauro S.R.L
released = August 27, 1993
runtime = 93 minutes
language = English
imdb_id = 0108187
preceded_by = "Curse of the Pink Panther"
followed_by =

"Son of the Pink Panther" (1993) was the ninth entry in the 30-year-old "Pink Panther" film series. Directed by Blake Edwards, it stars Roberto Benigni as Inspector Clouseau's illegitimate son. Also in this film are Panther regulars Herbert Lom, Burt Kwouk and Graham Stark. In this outing, Lom's Commissioner Dreyfus, citing Clouseau's own track record, gives Jacques Gambrelli (Benigni) virtual carte blanche to proceed with the case at hand.

This was the first "Pink Panther" film in a decade, following two unsuccessful attempts to continue the series following the death of Peter Sellers, who originated the character of Clouseau. Considered a relaunch of the series, the plan was for Benigni - a popular Italian comedian who had yet to be discovered in America - to continue on where Sellers had left off. However, "Son of the Pink Panther" failed to generate critical or commercial success, the loss of Sellers proving once again to be too great. Benigni was not Edwards' first choice for the role. Kevin Kline, Rowan Atkinson, Gérard Depardieu and Tim Curry, were all considered before Benigni won the role. This would be both the last Panther film to be directed by Blake Edwards, and Edwards' final film to date. The series was adapted in 2006 with the release of "The Pink Panther" starring Steve Martin as Inspector Jacques Clouseau and Kevin Kline as Chief Inspector Charles Dreyfus.

Cast

* Roberto Benigni - Jacques Gambrelli
* Herbert Lom - Chief Inspector Charles Dreyfus
* Burt Kwouk - Cato Fong
* Claudia Cardinale -Maria Gambrelli
* Shabana Azmi - Queen
* Debra Farentino - Princess Yasmin
* Graham Stark - Professor Auguste Balls

Trivia

* In the beginning of the movie there is a new arrangement of The Pink Panther Theme sung by Bobby McFerrin. At the end, the old familiar version is played.

* Kroyer Films created the opening and closing titles for the film starring the animated Pink Panther and Clouseau Jr. characters.

*Claudia Cardinale played the Princess in the original "Pink Panther" film. Here she returns as Maria Gambrelli, the part played by Elke Sommer in "A Shot in the Dark".

Critical Ratings

* Radio Times Guide To Films - 1 Star out of 5

External links

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