The Pink PantherThe 1964 film that launched the character of endearingly inept Inspector Clouseau (Peter Sellers, in a scene-stealing performance) also introduced American audiences to the singular charms of a lovely young Italian starlet - Ms Cardinale - in the role of a royal princess sporting jewels to rival Elizabeth Taylor's.
Edwards' irresistible comedy caper also features David Niven as an ultra-suave English gent (and part-time jewel thief), a very sporting Capucine, who gets into the spirit of slapstick called for in her role as the duplicitous Mrs Clouseau, and a very young Robert Wagner as a playboy-in-training.
Henry Mancini's score, Fran Jeffries' ski lodge party rendition of Meglio Stasera and postcard-perfect locations (Northern Italy's famed Cortina D'Ampezzo ski slopes among them) add zing and sophistication to the comedic goings on.
