The Pink Panther (1963 film)

The Pink Panther
Theatrical release poster by Jack Rickard
Directed by	Blake Edwards
Screenplay by	Maurice Richlin Blake Edwards
Produced by	Martin Jurow
Starring	David Niven Peter Sellers Robert Wagner Capucine Claudia Cardinale
Cinematography	Philip Lathrop
Edited by	Ralph E. Winters
Music by	Henry Mancini
Production companies	The Mirisch Company Animation: DePatie-Freleng Enterprises
Distributed by	United Artists
Release dates	December 18, 1963 (Italy) March 18, 1964 (United States)
Running time	113 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Box office	$10.9 million (US/Canada)[1]

The Pink Panther is a 1963 American comedy film directed by Blake Edwards and distributed by United Artists. It was written by Maurice Richlin and Blake Edwards. It is the first installment in The Pink Panther franchise. Its story follows inspector Jacques Clouseau as he travels from Rome to Cortina d'Ampezzo to catch a notorious jewel thief known as "The Phantom" before he is able to steal a priceless diamond known as "The Pink Panther". The film stars David Niven, Peter Sellers, Robert Wagner, Capucine and Claudia Cardinale.

The film was produced by Martin Jurow and 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.^[2] It was positively reviewed and has an 89% approval rating based on 34 votes on Rotten Tomatoes.^[3] 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".^[4][5]