The Pink Panther (1963)

The Pink Panther is a 1963 American comedy film directed by Blake Edwards, who co-wrote the script with Maurice Richlin. Produced by The Mirisch Company and distributed by United Artists, it is the first installment in The Pink Panther franchise and stars an ensemble cast led by David Niven, Peter Sellers, Robert Wagner, Capucine and Claudia Cardinale. Its story follows Inspector Jacques Clouseau (Sellers) as he travels from Paris to Cortina d'Ampezzo to catch a notorious jewel thief known as "The Phantom" (Niven) before he is able to steal a priceless diamond known as "The Pink Panther".

The Pink Panther was initially released on December 18, 1963, in Italy followed by the United States release on March 18, 1964. It grossed $10.9 million in the United States and Canada, making it the ninth-highest grossing film of 1964. The film received mixed reviews from critics upon its release, but would later see a positive critical reappraisal. In 2010, the film was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the United States National Film Registry, as being "culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant".